Eastbank Esplanade facts for kids
The Eastbank Esplanade (officially called the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade) is a special path for people to walk and ride bikes. It follows the east side of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, United States. This path goes through the Kerns, Buckman, and Hosford-Abernethy neighborhoods. It was created as a project to improve the city, especially after a bike path near Interstate 5 was washed away by a big flood in 1996. In November 2004, the path was renamed after Vera Katz, who was a mayor of Portland. You can find a statue of her near the Hawthorne Bridge.
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What is the Eastbank Esplanade?
This amazing path was designed by landscape architects Mayer/Reed. It cost about $30 million to build. About $10 million of that money was used to add a lower deck to the Steel Bridge. The esplanade stretches about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the Steel Bridge to the Hawthorne Bridge.
Exploring the Esplanade
At its south end, the esplanade connects to the Springwater Corridor. This is a "rail trail," which means it's a path built on an old train track. It goes south to Sellwood, then east to Gresham, and even further south to Boring.
A cool part of the esplanade is its floating walkway. It's about 1,200 feet (366 meters) long, making it the longest of its kind in the United States. There's also a public dock that is about 120 feet (37 meters) long. Along the path, you'll see thirteen markers. These markers show where the eastside streets would be if they continued into the river.
A Look Back in Time
Construction on the Eastbank Esplanade began in October 1998. The path was officially opened in May 2001.
In 2011, the esplanade had to close for 21 days. This was because the river levels were very high. It was the first time the path had been closed since it was built.
Art Along the Path
As you explore the esplanade, you'll discover several pieces of public art. These artworks add beauty and interest to the path. Some of the art you can see includes Alluvial Wall, Echo Gate, the Ghost Ship sculpture, the statue of Vera Katz, and Stack Stalk.
