Tom McCall Waterfront Park

…Continued from Battleship Oregon Memorial Marine Park.

View from south end of Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

Beginning in 1967, the Oregon State Legislature, under the leadership of Governor Tom McCall, established policies to create a Willamette River Greenway along 120 miles of the Willamette River.

View from south end of Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

In 1968, Portland's Downtown Waterfront Plan recommended replacing Harbor Drive with a park, while the State Highway Department wanted to widen it. That year, the city of Portland acquired the former public market building, which had been vacant since the Oregon Journal moved out in 1961, and demolished it the following year to make room for a widened Harbor Drive.

View of the Marquam Bridge from the south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 10, 2008

In 1969, vocal citizens began objecting to the plans to widen Harbor Drive, and Governor McCall became involved, encouraging the inclusion of citizens in the planning process and personally favoring the construction of a park along the waterfront. Portland Mayor Terry Schrunk and Multnomah County Chairman James Gleason also supported the plan to replace Harbor Drive with a park. There were concerns about the potential traffic problems removing Harbor Drive could cause, however the completion of Interstate 405 and the Fremont Bridge on November 11, 1973 provided enough new capacity that Front Avenue could handle the remaining traffic.

View of the Marquam Bridge from the south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

Harbor Drive was closed in 1974, and Waterfront Park opened along a mile and a half of Portland waterfront in 1978. In 1984, the Portland City Council named the park in honor of Governor Tom McCall for his role in creating it.

View of the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry & U.S.S. Blueback from south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

Originally the park only extended as far south as the Hawthorne Bridge, but it was since been extended south to the Marquam Bridge.

View of the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry & U.S.S. Blueback from south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

These pictures show views from the southern end of the park.

View of the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry & U.S.S. Blueback from south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

Also visible from the south end of the park is the former U.S. Navy submarine U.S.S. Blueback at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Monument to Canadian emissaries who sheltered Americans in Iran at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

This monument to Canadian emissaries who sheltered Americans in Iran seems to be the first placed here after the Waterfront Park was built.

Monument to Canadian emissaries who sheltered Americans in Iran at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 7, 2008

It reads: "On January 28, 1980, Canadian emissaries in Iran risked their lives by sheltering six Americans who were outside of the American embassy during the time of seizure. We, the people of the city of Portland, honor Canada for offering sanctuary to the Americans. Canada's noble act in bringing the Americans home calls forth our profound gratitude and appreciation."

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