The Willamette Water Trail is an assemblage of parks and public spaces along the mid section of the Willamette River. The Water Trail provides an opportunity for people to get out on the Willamette River and to explore its many wonders. The trail seeks to increase the public’s use, appreciation and stewardship of the Willamette River and watershed, and offer new economic benefits to local communities. Along with the newly designated trail are interpretive materials, such as maps and signage. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the River, but have not had the chance, you can now take advantage of the Willamette Water Trail Guide by contacting us to recieve a copy or downloading a guide at www.willamettewatertrail.com.
Willamette Riverkeeper has worked hard with several mid-Willamette Valley cities and counties, along with the National Park Service, American Heritage Rivers Initiative, and Oregon State Parks to get the Water Trail launched from Buena Vista Ferry to Wheatland.
On June 4, 2005, this stretch of the Willamette Water Trail will be officially launched, providing a wonderful, enhanced opportunity for people to paddle the Willamette River and to learn about its history. Because of Willamette Riverkeeper’s close ties to canoe and kayak paddling, WRK believes that the Water Trail will help bring new people to the Willamette River, and to engender a renewed rive ethic.
The Water Trail provides opportunities for canoeists, kayakers, and others to see and explore the Willamette River, whether for a day, or several days. This section of the river provides riverside camping opportunities, wildlife viewing, and a high degree of solitude.
Background
A water trail is ‘a stretch of river, a shoreline, or an ocean that has been mapped out with the intent to create an educational, scenic, and challenging experience for recreational canoers and kayakers. Water trails and hiking trails have a lot in common: they can be short or long; historic or scenic; remote or populated; or challenging or relaxing.
In the case of the new Willamette River Water Trail, State, County, and City Parks are linked with common signage and facilities open to the public. A new Water Trail Guide and website have been produced to provide valuable information to the public on where to go, and what to expect during their experience paddling the Willamette River.
Other Water Trails in Oregon include the Coos Regional Water Trail, the Lower Columbia River Water Trail, and now our own Willamette River Water Trail.
First in a Series
The first pilot stretch of the Water Trail extends from Buena Vista to Wheatland, approximately 35 miles. This stretch of river is covered by the new Water Trail Guide and website. Over the next two years, Willamette Riverkeeper will be working with its partners on the Water Trail to expand it up and down river.
The Willamette River Water Trail has been developed by the Mid Willamette River Connections Group (of which WRK is a partner), a group of mid-valley cities, towns, State Parks Department, and non-profits that got together to better connect people to the Willamette River.
This Water Trail is the result of over two years of planning and open houses, and has been fueled by the increased demand by the public for resources related to recreational use of the Willamette. The Trail is supported by a recreational inventory of the Willamette River conducted by WRK, and a Water Trail Plan developed from this partnership effort.
Links
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department – www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/index.shtml
City of Salem – www.cityofsalem.net
American Heritage Rivers Initiative – www.epa.gov/owow/heritage/rivers.html
National Parks Service – Rivers and Trails Program- www.nps.gov/rtca/
City of Keizer – www.keizer.org
Marion County - www.co.marion.or.us
Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments – www.mvcog.org
Willamette Partnership – www.oregonwri.org
|
