Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park
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Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a park located on the west bank of the Willamette River in downtown Portland, Oregon.
The name of the park was changed in 1984 to honor former Oregon Governor Tom McCall. It is currently home to the Waterfront Blues Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, and Bite of Oregon. The park is also the host of many Rose Festival events.
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History
In 1903 the Olmsted Report identified several needs for the City of Portland. Important items within the plan:
- need for parks within the city
- need for greenways along riverbanks
- need for preservation of river access for future generations
These needs were readdressed in the 1912 Bennett Plan, however, the City of Portland had its sights set on the city itself and not access to geographical features.
One problem for downtown Portland and its location by the Willamette River was that occasionally the river would flood during the winter. Thus, in 1920, a seawall was built to protect the downtown core. Unfortunately, the seawall removed access to the river, a problem that would be exacerbated in 1940 with the construction of Harbor Drive along the bank of the river.
It wasn't until the completion of the Marquam Bridge (Interstate 5) in the mid-1960s that Harbor Drive became less important to the flow of traffic within the city. In 1968, Governor Tom McCall initiated a task force to study the feasibility of replacing Harbor Drive with open park space. Removal of Harbor Drive began in 1974, and work progressed until the dedication of the park in 1978. The park gained instant popularity, and in 1984, it was renamed Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Park landmarks
Battleship Oregon Memorial
A Navy Ship, Battleship Oregon, was constructed in 1893. This memorial erected in 1956 honors this "Bulldog of the US Navy" and its heroic fight in many naval battles. Underneath the memorial lies a timecapsule: Sealed on Independence Day, 1976, it will be unearthed and opened July 5, 2076.
Founders' Stone
This memorial honors William Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy. Both were founders of Portland, even though it was a cointoss to the city name. Boston or Portland?
Japanese American Historical Plaza
Police Memorial
The police memorial was constructed in 1993 at SW Jefferson adjacent to the Hawthorne Bridge. It is dedicated to Portland Police who have laid down their lives in the line of duty as fine, dedicated, Portland Police Officers
External links
Categories: Portland, Oregon | US geography stubs