Canemah Bluff Trails and Overlook

As the beautiful autumn weather draws you outdoors, head south for an autumnal amble through Canemah Bluff Nature Park. Canemah Bluff is a 300-acre natural area owned and maintained by Metro within Oregon City. More active park amenities include the playground, basketball court, and picnic tables at Canemah Neighborhood Children’s Park. Continue along the mile-long unpaved trails into the natural area for a chance to glimpse sparrows, red-breasted sapsuckers, white-breasted nuthatches, orange-crowned warblers, hawks and eagles.

GreenWorks recently completed the Canemah Bluff Trails and Overlook project, working closely with Metro to develop public access to the sensitive oak savannah and woodland. The project included improving hiking trails, a new boardwalk, new foot-bridge, and a scenic overlook.

A highly active and passionate neighborhood group provided the project team with valuable input. The project design reflects Metro’s and the neighborhood’s goals for minimal impact, yet provides a safe place for users to enjoy the natural area.

For more information, visit:

http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/canemah-bluff-nature-park

Planning and Design Currently Underway for Gateway Green Open Space

Gateway Green is a 35-acre parcel of mostly vacant land and located at the intersection of two interstate highways in Portland, Oregon and adjacent to the Gateway Urban Renewal area. The land is owned by the City of Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation. Planning and design is currently underway for Phase One development of the property. The project began as an effort of local land owners and open space advocates in an effort to catalyze economic growth in outer east Portland. On a pro-bono basis, designers collaborated with local stakeholders to create a program and vision for Gateway Green. Through conversations and input from technical experts and the community a vision for the site was developed that identified the following project goals:

• Improving environmental conditions, especially water and air quality, and wildlife habitat.
• Providing a regional recreational destination, especially for bicycle and pedestrian opportunities.
• Providing open space and a possible branding opportunity for adjacent Gateway Regional Center and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Highlighting Portland’s evolving sustainable marketplace and expressing our region’s use of sustainable design solutions.

As part of the six-month project the design team conducted a one-day community charrette to develop the design of the initial concept plan. After development of the preliminary vision the team conducted technical review meetings to ensure the technical viability of concept options, approaches, details, and strategies. A final presentation of the revised vision plan was then presented to the community. The Gateway Green vision plan demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, puts the property to better use for the good of the community, and sets an example for reclamation and reuse of surplus or underused properties around the country.