We are Connected to the River

The Willamette River is the shining gem of the greater Eugene area. This living artery of our landscape winds along 187 miles from the Cascade Mountains to the Columbia River and then to the Pacific Ocean. Along its route it pumps life to our valley: in the form of Salmon and Opsrey, Eagles and cottonwoods. It bestows upon us nutrients for our valley farms, and clean water for our communities.  Our Willamette River is special, and the urban riverfront we have so little of is a priceless asset to our community.

A winter view of the Willamette River looking east from a wetland adjacent to the proposed ORI site. How will the Riverfront Research Park and the ORI building and parking lot affect our precious river? Under the current Riverfront Research Park Plan, the bank to the right in the distance will support up to 6 buildings towering over the trees.

Our riverfront is the place where we can commune with nature, just steps from our classrooms, offices and storefronts. It is an anytime adventure in our backyard, and quiet solitude when we need it. It’s a place to show our visiting friends and family, and space to call your own. From picnics and sports, to sunbathing and smiles, and to training wheels and marathons….for a thousand other reasons, this is our Willamette riverfront.

Over the past century riverfront development has been given to industry, largely for easy disposal of wastes. Countless communities around the Country have been cut off from their waterfronts for decades – if not centuries. But, this is changing. Within the last few years, everywhere, communities are beginning to take back their priceless waterfront properties. They are restoring crumbling industry buildings into public places, and reconnecting people to majestic natural features. Once again, people are learning to coexist, with all of life, on the riverfront.

Eugene has this opportunity today.  However, a mid-1980s plan is dimming our shining future, and with it the quality of life of generations of Oregonians to come. We now have the opportunity to make lasting, positive change to our public riverfront and to the greater Eugene metropolitan area.

Will we take it?