By Brian Hoop
On August 1st about 60 Linnton residents and friends gathered to celebrate the opening of the new river access pathway at NW 107th and Front Avenue. The construction and opening of the pathway is the culmination of years of advocacy by Neighborhood Association leaders as a condition of support for the redevelopment of the old Linnton Mill site as a Superfund mitigation and wildlife habitat restoration project.
Participants first gathered at the Linnton Community Center to share reflections on the history and transformation of the industrial riverfront area and the creation of the pathway. After walking together to the river’s edge there was a musical performance by a harp player and Native drummer. The developers of the mill site, RestorCap, and landowner, Linnton Water Credits LLC, paid for construction of the path.
The short asphalt path dead-ends at a viewpoint with a rock wall barricade intended to discourage people from cutting paths down to the water’s edge. With the summer drought and low river level, one could see the long sandy beach that exists in this area. The logo of the City of Portland Parks and Recreation adorns a post at the entrance, but it’s unclear to this author who is responsible for long-term maintenance of the site.
Initial funding has been secured by Linnton’s State Representative Brad Witt and Senator Betsy Johnson to extend the path along the pre-existing Willamette Greenway and to the water’s edge. (See related story, page 2) The Linnton Neighborhood Association looks forward to working with them on the next steps towards implementation.
If interested in helping with this project, get involved by attending LNA’s monthly meetings, first Wednesdays each month at 7:00 PM.