Celebrate Salem’s New Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge

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A community parade and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the opening of the new Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge on Wednesday, August 2. Festivities get underway at 4pm. This project is the culmination of years of planning and effort by the City of Salem and Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency to achieve the community’s vision of connecting three major urban parks and more than 20 miles of trails via two pedestrian bridges over the Willamette River. This goal became a reality in part after the renovation of the historic Union Street Railroad Bridge, which connects West Salem’s Wallace Marine Park with Riverfront Park downtown. However, completion of the Minto Island Bridge and adjoining multimodal trail is the last critical link.

For design and permitting, the City of Salem hired OBEC Consulting Engineers with GreenWorks. The design integrates context-appropriate, safe infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other trail users. Special thanks to Bob Goodrich, PE of OBEC and Aaron Kimsey, PE, Senior Project Manager at the City of Salem for including us on this great project.

The Big Float 2017! And more waterfront opportunities with the Eastbank Crescent project!

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The Big Float is this weekend! The event is a part of the non-profit Human Access Project, headed by our friend, Will Levenson. Find out more about the event at: http://www.thebigfloat.com/ At THE HAPpenning Big Float Pre-Party last month, Mayor Ted Wheeler, Brett Horner (Portland Parks and Recreation), Kaitlin

Lovell (Bureau of Environmental Services) Mike Lindberg (former City Councilman) and Sallie Edmunds (Bureau of Planning and Sustainability) unveiled the Eastbank Crescent Project. The Eastbank Crescent is located between the Hawthorne and Marquam bridges on the eastbank of the Willamette River. The purpose of the project is to create a recreational destination and a fish and wildlife habitat refuge. The project is a collaborative effort between City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), Portland Development Commission, Portland Parks and Recreation, GreenWorks, Mayer-Reed, and Flowing Solutions. Based on existing conditions analysis, constraints and opportunities, two concepts were developed including maximizing recreation and maximizing habitat. GreenWorks, with sub consultant, Inter-fluve Inc., was task by BES to enhance in-water nearshore habitat for ESA-listed fish, restore riparian and upland habitat for birds and wildlife, and incorporate river habitat education opportunities. An array of habitat treatments were considered including laying back the riverbank to create more habitat by vegetating with native plants, undulating the shallow water area with alcoves or backchannels to enhance fish habitat and creating viewpoints and access for education. The concepts were presented to stakeholders and the public in spring and summer of 2016 and to City Council on June 7, 2017.

Poet’s Beach Opens Along the Willamette July 13

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The City of Portland will officially open Poet’s Beach along the Willamette River next week, located in South Waterfront Park, under the Marquam Bridge. Will Levenson, head of the non-profit Human Access Project, led the effort to change people’s perceptions of the river and encourage recreation along the waterfront. GreenWorks became involved in the Human Access Project in 2012, and we’re honored to be part of making Will’s vision a reality. Poet’s Beach will be staffed with lifeguards seven days a week through Labor Day and will feature amenities, including picnic tables and restrooms. For more information, see the Human Access Project webpage: http://www.humanaccessproject.com/swimming/willamette_river_beaches/poet_s_beach