North Riverfront Park & Non-Motorized Boat Launch Improvement Project

The City of Corvallis is actively seeking grant funds to continue the planning process for these much-needed improvements.This is not an active project until funding is secured.

Project Statement:

This project aims to make capital improvements to the North Riverfront Park area with significant improvements to the non-motorized boat launch and surrounding riverfront, paved driveways and parking area, permanent restroom facilities, boat storage and outfitter concessions area, tiered amphitheater, improved walking paths, and restored landscaping and vegetation management.

The current unimproved launch and riverfront area consists of gravel driveways that are not accessible and difficult to maintain. Illegal camping is common which deters recreationalists and negatively impacts the adjacent businesses. The beachfront and launch area are shallow with built up sediment that presents hazards to the ingress/egress of boaters. 

Location:

Between 1^st & 2^nd Streets, north of NW Tyler Ave, adjacent to Riverfront Park, the Downtown Corridor, and the Willamette River (formerly known as Michael’s Landing). Click on thumbnails at the bottom of this page to view location.

Project Description:

The North Riverfront Park Project will include significant infrastructure improvements at an under-utilized access point to the Willamette River and expand outdoor recreation opportunities, increase economic vitality, reduce crime, improve emergency response, and enhance environmental sustainability. The North Riverfront Park area is contiguous with the already-developed Riverfront Commemorative Park, together spanning approximately 1 mile of the Willamette River to the east and historic Downtown Corvallis to the west.

Improved river access will allow people of all abilities to safely participate in no-cost outdoor recreation opportunities through an accessible non-motorized boat launch and new paved pathways and parking lot. The improved boat launch and community gathering spaces will attract visitors and residents alike, activating the space with active tourism and positive economic impact on local businesses. The boat launch will serve the Corvallis Fire Department River Rescue team while thoughtful Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles will be utilized to reduce the fear and incidence of crime. Controlled access within the riparian corridor and along the riverbank and beaches, coupled with intentional ecological restoration, will improve wildlife habitat, and protect and preserve the surrounding natural environment.

Community stakeholder groups were intimately involved in the visioning for the project since the early 2000’s and many local non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals have offered support for riverfront improvements. Planning and design is estimated to cost $900,000, which will include additional community engagement. Once the planning is completed, additional grants from the State are anticipated to be utilized for construction. 

Planning Process & Documents:

There is widespread community support from several local non-profit organizations and individual residents for better river access with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and protection. Improved boat launches and enhanced accessibility to river recreation opportunities is a high priority identified in the current Parks & Recreation Master Plan. One of the Key Findings in the 2015 Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update was that “River Access is Important” to the Corvallis citizens. Pedestrian paths/trails, open space/conservation, and nature-based programming were also listed as top priorities by the community. The North Riverfront Park project is listed in the Master Plan and has remained unfunded.

Following the construction of the Riverfront Commemorative Park in the early 2000s, a citizen-based North Riverfront Stakeholder Committee was formed to help the City consider further improvements North of Tyler Avenue. The committee, city staff, and landscape architects evaluated community needs, assessed existing conditions, and ultimately developed schematic designs in 2006 for improvements to North Riverfront Park. Click on thumbnails at the bottom of this page to view improvement plan.

Project Budget:

Estimated $6,000,000.