Willamette Cove cleanup and future nature park

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Learn how Metro and the Port of Portland are cleaning up the land at Willamette Cove and weigh in on the design of the future nature park.

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An illustration of Willamette Cove looking down from above the river. The image shows the curve along the land and the railroad bridge in the background.

An illustration of Willamette Cove as it is today in North Portland near St. Johns. Illustration by Aki Ruiz.

Willamette Cove as it is today. The cove lies in North Portland, near St. Johns. Illustration by Aki Ruiz.

Along the Willamette River in Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood, Metro and the Port of Portland are working to clean up 70 years' worth of industrial contamination and make the land at Willamette Cove safe for people, plants and animals.

After the cleanup, Metro plans to make Willamette Cove a nature park that supports thriving plant and animal communities and offers people a connection with nature along the Willamette River. The park will include a regional trail, beach access and education opportunities along with habitats like meadows and woodland.

Community members will help shape how the park balances natural areas with access for people, including helping choose the park’s other low-impact activities and facilities.

Metro is also coordinating this work with multiple Tribes so Willamette Cove can honor the connections the Tribes have had to the river since the beginning of time, especially by creating healthy habitats for salmon and lamprey.

To reach this goal, Metro and the Port are teaming up to clean up the site under the oversight of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

News

Cleanup at Willamette Cove reaches milestone

By Cory Eldridge
1 month 2 weeks ago

Planning and designing the cleanup is on track to be finished in 2025, with the cleanup coming in 2026 or 2027.
Community insights: Willamette Cove nature park

3 months 2 weeks ago

Find out what community members like you shared with the team designing Willamette Cove's future nature park.
Creating a nature park at Willamette Cove

By Cory Eldridge
5 months 1 week ago

After decades of industrialization created hazardous conditions at Willamette Cove, there is hope that people can someday safely recreate at the area. Now, following nearly 25 years planning, Metro can begin envisioning a future nature park.
Metro asks for community input on future nature park

By Cory Eldridge
7 months 2 weeks ago

Planning has kicked off for the future park at Willamette Cove in North Portland.
Results of latest soil study at Willamette Cove will inform cleanup

By Cory Eldridge
10 months 2 weeks ago

A detailed study of Willamette Cove has shown contaminants are deeper than previously known.
Bigger cleanup approved for Willamette Cove

By Cory Eldridge
2 years 4 months ago

All moderately contaminated soil will be hauled away rather than stored on site.
Willamette Cove cleanup options considered by Council, work moves forward

By Cory Eldridge
2 years 5 months ago

Metro Council will soon make a decision on cleanup. Detailed soil study set to start.
Metro Council considers community engagement plan for Willamette Cove

By Kelsey Wallace
3 years 4 months ago

As work continues at North Portland’s Willamette Cove, Metro councilors were briefed on a plan to collaborate with community members on decisions around future recreational opportunities and trails at the site.
Metro Council to consider additional cleanup options at Willamette Cove

By Kelsey Wallace
3 years 7 months ago

At a work session on April 27, the council heard from staff members about cleanup plans for the portion of the Willamette Cove property that sits above the Willamette River banks.
DEQ issues cleanup plan for Willamette Cove

By Kelsey Wallace
3 years 8 months ago

Following a six-month comment period, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has selected a cleanup plan for the upland portion of Willamette Cove.
Metro Council passes resolution to make Willamette Cove eligible for 2019 bond funding

By Kelsey Wallace
4 years 1 day ago

The Metro Council voted unanimously Dec. 10 in support of a resolution that makes Willamette Cove eligible for funding through the 2019 parks and natural areas bond measure.
Metro Council to consider Willamette Cove eligibility for 2019 bond funding

By Kelsey Wallace
4 years 4 days ago

The Metro Council is scheduled to consider a resolution at its Dec. 10 meeting that would make Willamette Cove eligible for funding through the 2019 parks and natural areas bond measure.
Group empowering community members to help shape future of contaminated Willamette Cove property

By Cristina Rojas
5 years 11 months ago

The Portland Harbor Community Coalition is gearing up again to steer a public involvement process as the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Port of Portland and Metro work to finalize a cleanup plan for the Willamette Cove property – one of the most complicated sites in Metro’s portfolio of parks, trails and natural areas.

News

Cleanup at Willamette Cove reaches milestone

Community insights: Willamette Cove nature park

Creating a nature park at Willamette Cove

Metro asks for community input on future nature park

Results of latest soil study at Willamette Cove will inform cleanup

Bigger cleanup approved for Willamette Cove

Willamette Cove cleanup options considered by Council, work moves forward

Metro Council considers community engagement plan for Willamette Cove

Metro Council to consider additional cleanup options at Willamette Cove

DEQ issues cleanup plan for Willamette Cove

Metro Council passes resolution to make Willamette Cove eligible for 2019 bond funding

Metro Council to consider Willamette Cove eligibility for 2019 bond funding

Group empowering community members to help shape future of contaminated Willamette Cove property

Contact

Feedback

Related documents

News

Cleanup at Willamette Cove reaches milestone

Community insights: Willamette Cove nature park

Creating a nature park at Willamette Cove

Metro asks for community input on future nature park

Results of latest soil study at Willamette Cove will inform cleanup

Bigger cleanup approved for Willamette Cove

Willamette Cove cleanup options considered by Council, work moves forward

Metro Council considers community engagement plan for Willamette Cove

Metro Council to consider additional cleanup options at Willamette Cove

DEQ issues cleanup plan for Willamette Cove

Metro Council passes resolution to make Willamette Cove eligible for 2019 bond funding

Metro Council to consider Willamette Cove eligibility for 2019 bond funding

Group empowering community members to help shape future of contaminated Willamette Cove property

Contact

Feedback