Future of Waterfront Park

[maccoinnich]

Opinion: Build Portland downtown’s revival around a rejuvenated Waterfront Park



Zari Santner, Sam Rodriguez and Randy Gragg


Santner is the former director of Portland Parks & Recreation. Rodriguez is a former board member of Prosper Portland. Gragg is former director of the Portland Parks Foundation.

Eyes and minds are focused on downtown Portland’s revitalization. The city should zero in on Tom McCall Waterfront Park – arguably, our most underutilized resource – as a linchpin for downtown’s long-term revival.

Each summer and fall, fences fly up, festivals arrive and thousands of visitors stomp through the park along the Willamette River. Then, everyone leaves. Acres of grass struggle back to life through the footprints, spring mud and summer drought. The rest of the year, the park is little more than a nice riverwalk.

There’s so much more this park could provide to Portlanders: a play space for families, pickleball courts, riverside chessboards, a coffee stand, a beer garden, a lively place to eat. But most of all, reimagining the park as a place to be – rather than just visit – will foster the urban neighborhood spirit necessary to spark the development of thousands of housing units.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[downtownpdx]

Just read this, great piece. Waterfront Park could be soooo much more and a reimagining is long overdue.

[HillsboroTech]

I am hoping we can follow through on this. The waterfront has so much untapped potential.

As for potential replacements for displaced events, I would love if we could transform this piece of land into a future fairground. Excellent transit options and ample parking.



... also another dream, transforming the South Hawthorne Waterfront Park into an amphitheater + put eastside i5 underground. Can you imagine how famous this venue would become? In the heart of a city, along the willamette, with a speculator view of Mt. Hood.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

...continues at the Oregonian.

Pickleball?

But seriously, the hard part is not trying TOO hard to remiagine. The best part of Olmstead parks is that you don't even notice what the park is doing when you are there. The green spaces, etc, (which Waterfront here is, when it's not brown) is such a beautiful thing, and it's not doing anything besides, being natural with limited (obvious) landscaping. When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all. To the casual observer, it's just a meandering path, but really, it's an art form of park design nearing perfection.

What I fear is any plan would go down a Portland-esque path of community engagement and be bogged down in the pursuit of perfection, trying to be everything to everyone. Think more like Olmstead. Maybe the problem isn't the park itself, it's what's near the park. How do you engage that to make it a work-live-play area instead of just an "events" space?

[ThatDarnSacramentan]

While I agree that we should try to avoid the trap of making the perfect the enemy of the good by trying to cram as many things as possible into the space, I also think we can do much better than goose crap filled lawns and concrete retaining walls. At the very least, add a playground near Salmon Street Springs for kids/parents and lighting/aesthetic improvements where the bridges cross over.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

Maybe the problem isn't the park itself, it's what's near the park. How do you engage that to make it a work-live-play area instead of just an "events" space?

I’m not sure I follow, the park itself is what’s acting like just an events space, not what’s near the park. I think the editorial makes a good point, in that we need to move away from this set up/break down cycle of events that leaves the park an uninviting mud pit the rest of the time. I’m not sure what the perfect approach is, but I think the downtown area nearby would see more housing and activity if the park were more inviting year round. It doesn’t have to be Seattle style with tacky tourist shops, (although they have done some great stuff recently) but we can still look to places like that and Vancouver WA for ways to make this a place people want to be. It really is the lynchpin for revitalizing that section of downtown and even the city as a whole.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

I’m not sure I follow, the park itself is what’s acting like just an events space, not what’s near the park. I think the editorial makes a good point, in that we need to move away from this set up/break down cycle of events that leaves the park an uninviting mud pit the rest of the time. I’m not sure what the perfect approach is, but I think the downtown area nearby would see more housing and activity if the park were more inviting year round. It doesn’t have to be Seattle style with tacky tourist shops, (although they have done some great stuff recently) but we can still look to places like that and Vancouver WA for ways to make this a place people want to be. It really is the lynchpin for revitalizing that section of downtown and even the city as a whole.

I guess I meant just because there is green space doesn't mean it needs to be used for events. In an extreme example, I'm thinking places like the Great Lawn in NYC. A HUGE open expanse used by throngs of people in a a natural ad-hoc setting (picnics, frisbee, people laying about reading, sunbathing, whatnot). It is the city's backyard, and what allows urbanites to get away from the city and stretch their legs, and makes people want to live in NYC. It just needs to be nice, and well-maintained (i.e.- NOT how Portland uses Waterfront).

Long story short, I'm not convinced the problem is with how Waterfront park is designed, it's how it's used. And design and use are completely decoupled there, it's not like the grass NEEDS to house huge events. Sure, add a coffee shop, or a cafe, etc, that would be nice. But it doesn't need a full scale redo like Vancouver, unless the goal is for visitors.

As a side, this was a cool way Philly park started to engage parks. Traveling beer gardens. No access needed (no corral fences). Provide a few food trucks, a beer garden, some provided lounge chairs. And people would flock there. Was a life saver for young families living in the city. So much fun, casual, and people love it. Not really "events", just a casual and cheap way to allow people to come and hang. And when you don't have yards, that means everything.

https://www.parksontap.com/

https://www.google.com/search?client=saf...3HacQtKgLegQIHxAB&biw=1512&bih=794&dpr=2

[colossalorder]

As someone who walks waterfront park often here are a few of my thoughts.

- Although it is a walk along the river, it feels very disconnected from the water itself, up high behind the industrial sea wall. Little sense of the natural. You need to peer over. Few spots where you can sit and actually see the river.

- It also feels kind of disconnected from the city and its attractions. Maybe its a simple as signage (i.e. James Beard Public Market this way). I think its also the pathways traversing east/west through the park aren't great or logical. It never feels great crossing the poop-laden grass to exit.

- On a nice day, the main walkway is a bit harrowing as a pedestrian. The mix of bikers, skaters, misc. mobility devices, and joggers, means you are constantly in dodging and "watch out behind you" mode. I would have thought the bike lanes on Naito would reduce some traffic, but I think there is just natural appeal on being along the rivers edge. Plus those metals posts for tying boats are a constant shin-bonking threat.

- The passages under the bridges are dread-inducing, sketchy moments that you hope go quickly and safely. There must be clever ways to make them inviting, safe and welcoming for the pedestrian.

- It is a very linear functional walk. Gets you from A to B. But as a walker, its nice to meander a bit, discover points of interest, experience detours, art, history, surprises, places to stop, things that feel like a destination rather than just a passage.

[urbanlife]

I didn't want to address anyone specifically but wanted to give my input to this to the group. I think the park as it is works but could use some updating and modernizing.

Being an event space makes it a draw for people to come into downtown and is an important feature. This is where I question the need for a grass lawn in the section that events take place because it seems like it is an uphill battle every year to get the space back to being green just to have it trampled again. Having the ground be pavers or pavement of some sort from Salmon to Oak would make the space easier to manage and maintain. North of Oak can be lawn for people to use and enjoy year round.

Adding more public art would also be a great idea, especially if it is very Portland type art.

Rethinking sitting and lounging in the park is another thing that can be addressed through architecture. The High Line in NYC is a great example of this with how it creates unique lounging experiences through architecture and has modern architecture designed seats and benches throughout the park.

Utilize the space underneath the Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges with popup buildings that can house businesses such as cafes and artisan shops. Have it almost feel like a taste of Saturday Market everyday. Having popup cafes would create seating zones around each bridge and give people even more reasons to sit and stay in the park.

Rethinking the South Hawthorne Park is also another opportunity to rethink the structure of the grassy bowl and turn it into an event space ampitheater like space with a floating stage for concerts and plays to be scheduled throughout the warm season, and maybe even during the cooler times. This space could either be used for free events or a pay to enter space that would create some sort of revenue as well as a consistent events calendar for people to enjoy.

[eric cantona]

The City of Possibility symposium/festival/conference/??? hosted an event called Waterfront of Possibility Monday the 10th at Show Bar. I think folks posting here would have really loved the collection of speakers (there were 8!). Much of the talks were related to this thread.

I found it extremely enjoyable and illuminating. I'll see if it was recorded.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

I didn't want to address anyone specifically but wanted to give my input to this to the group. I think the park as it is works but could use some updating and modernizing.

Being an event space makes it a draw for people to come into downtown and is an important feature. This is where I question the need for a grass lawn in the section that events take place because it seems like it is an uphill battle every year to get the space back to being green just to have it trampled again. Having the ground be pavers or pavement of some sort from Salmon to Oak would make the space easier to manage and maintain. North of Oak can be lawn for people to use and enjoy year round.

Adding more public art would also be a great idea, especially if it is very Portland type art.

Rethinking sitting and lounging in the park is another thing that can be addressed through architecture. The High Line in NYC is a great example of this with how it creates unique lounging experiences through architecture and has modern architecture designed seats and benches throughout the park.

Utilize the space underneath the Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges with popup buildings that can house businesses such as cafes and artisan shops. Have it almost feel like a taste of Saturday Market everyday. Having popup cafes would create seating zones around each bridge and give people even more reasons to sit and stay in the park.

Rethinking the South Hawthorne Park is also another opportunity to rethink the structure of the grassy bowl and turn it into an event space ampitheater like space with a floating stage for concerts and plays to be scheduled throughout the warm season, and maybe even during the cooler times. This space could either be used for free events or a pay to enter space that would create some sort of revenue as well as a consistent events calendar for people to enjoy.

I get the lure for events, and to draw to bring people in. But most people don't actually want to live next door to big festivals. SO the questions then needs to be, do we want a event destination for visitors, or a usable park to attract new residents downtown? Many ideas for each will be effectively mutually exclusive.

Aside from the fact I am extremely bothered by admission-based events taking up huge swaths of public parks. Never set well with me. If you are going to have the rose festival city fair, you gotta make it free with no barrier to entry.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

I get the lure for events, and to draw to bring people in. But most people don't actually want to live next door to big festivals. SO the questions then needs to be, do we want a event destination for visitors, or a usable park to attract new residents downtown? Many ideas for each will be effectively mutually exclusive.

Aside from the fact I am extremely bothered by admission-based events taking up huge swaths of public parks. Never set well with me. If you are going to have the rose festival city fair, you gotta make it free with no barrier to entry.

Currently there aren't any residential buildings along Naito in front of the waterfront park. If we ever get any residential highrises along Naito, events at our downtown waterfront park probably won't be much of an issue. Though most people who are living downtown or could live downtown in future developments will most likely do so either west of Broadway or north of Burnside with a handful living in the heart of downtown, so the amount of events that attract people into downtown wouldn't be an issue for those wanting to live downtown.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Currently there aren't any residential buildings along Naito in front of the waterfront park. If we ever get any residential highrises along Naito, events at our downtown waterfront park probably won't be much of an issue. Though most people who are living downtown or could live downtown in future developments will most likely do so either west of Broadway or north of Burnside with a handful living in the heart of downtown, so the amount of events that attract people into downtown wouldn't be an issue for those wanting to live downtown.

I agree there should be some balance between accommodating events and creating a more residential, year round environment. Perhaps City Fair and Blues Fest oughta be the only events since they attract such large crowds..? I know there are a few smaller events like Cinco de Mayo, the beer fest in the past. Pabst Fest is happening again.. Anyway I like the idea of a dedicated area with pavers for this stuff. When events aren’t happening perhaps food trucks or something in that area to keep it active.

As for the bridges, maybe they could do murals on the support pilings and along the pathway.., and active light displays at night that would both create a safer atmosphere and draw people in. Sorry I think something like this was already mentioned but bears repeating. Such a blank canvas for something interesting to happen.

If enough cool stuff happens down there, keeping it a safe, active and inviting area, the residential will follow along those underutilized blocks near Naito. People love to be near water, but you have to enhance it. I’m hopeful there is enough momentum building now for this, and if I’m not mistaken the recently created TIF zones would help finance?

[downtownpdx]

Makeover planned for downtown Portland's Waterfront Park bowl


waterfront-park-bowl by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/new...x_testVariant=cx_38&cx_artPos=5#cxrecs_s

The Waterfront Blues Fest venue is poised to get a makeover after Metro Council granted Portland Parks & Recreation $750,000 for its redevelopment.

The project will redevelop the bowl area of the Tom McCall Waterfront Park located between RiverPlace and the Marina, just south of the Hawthorne Bridge. Aside from some pathway improvements made in 2024 to address ADA barriers, the bowl has not been renovated since its original construction.

The area is known for hosting the Waterfront Blues Festival and The Big Float beach party each summer.

A news release from the city parks department said it will partner with Metro to develop the project’s final scope and enter an intergovernmental agreement for the project.

“We are thrilled to kickstart the creation of a new Portland landmark,” Metro Council President Lynn Peterson said in a news release. “This is precisely the type of project Metro is here to support: spaces that bring people together, promote community and culture, foster connection to the environment, and make all of us proud of our region.”

The redevelopment project is part of the 2003 Waterfront Park Master Plan that moved the Saturday Market to the waterfront in 2009. However, many of the suggested improvements in the plan have not been implemented, according to parks spokesperson Mark Ross.

The preferred park design will incorporate inclusive design and extensive ADA accessibility and create public and swim access to the river, including a Willamette River beach and shoreline. The design is also expected to have an outdoor stage for events and a connection between downtown Portland and the river.

Nonprofit group Human Access Project has been one of the biggest supporters of redeveloping the area and has been working for over 15 years to create public access to the Willamette River. Willie Levenson of the project hopes to bring "a world class 'toe's in the river' water edge park that facilitates robust activation."

His group is also looking to activate the Audrey McCall Beach, directly across from where the McCall Bowl project sits. (continues - paywall)

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Makeover planned for downtown Portland's Waterfront Park bowl


waterfront-park-bowl by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/new...x_testVariant=cx_38&cx_artPos=5#cxrecs_s

KGW showed a concept of what it may look like when finished.

[sopdx]

Am I correct in thinking that this is a separate project from the waterfront park master plan?

https://www.portlandwaterfrontpavilion.com/concepts

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by sopdx

Am I correct in thinking that this is a separate project from the waterfront park master plan?

https://www.portlandwaterfrontpavilion.com/concepts

Was there a Waterfront Master Plan more recent than 2002?

[sopdx]

Originally Posted by uncommon.name

Was there a Waterfront Master Plan more recent than 2002?

No, sorry, I confused myself thinking that there was a separate move for an international design contest to redesign the entirety of waterfront park and the bowl redesign was altogether different.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by sopdx

No, sorry, I confused myself thinking that there was a separate move for an international design contest to redesign the entirety of waterfront park and the bowl redesign was altogether different.

I wish! From what I understand this is a part of the original 2003 master plan. But as the article stated most of that plan has not been implemented, outside of Saturday Market’s move to the waterfront in 2009. I do like the proposal in this bowl plan to enhance the beach area, not just here but across the river, next to the Hawthorne Bridge. As someone posted a few days back, there needs to be more” toes in the water “ along the riverfront. Obviously the sea wall isn’t going anywhere, but they could do something akin to River Place with some ramps leading to the water, docks etc. in the Morrison Bridge/Saturday Market stretch.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by sopdx

No, sorry, I confused myself thinking that there was a separate move for an international design contest to redesign the entirety of waterfront park and the bowl redesign was altogether different.

I'm just glad they are starting to put more effort into this and this concept looks very promising for at least that portion of the waterfront. If they keep biting it off in smaller chunks, we may one day see the waterfront thrive to a much fuller potential.