Tom McCall Waterfront Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tom McCall Waterfront Park |
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Cherry blossoms blooming in the park, seen from the north (April 2008)
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| Location | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a large park in downtown Portland, Oregon. It stretches for about 36.59-acre (148,100 m2) along the Willamette River. This park is special because it was built after a major road, Harbor Drive, was removed in 1974. The park officially opened in 1978.
In 1984, the park was renamed to honor Tom McCall. He was the Oregon governor who strongly supported making the riverfront beautiful. The park is a popular spot for many activities. People come here to jog, walk, bike, skateboard, and play in the fountains. It's also a great place to watch fireworks and boats. During lunch hours and rush hours, many people use the park for recreation and commuting. The park hosts big events like the Waterfront Blues Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, Gay/Lesbian Pride Festival, Bite of Oregon festival, and many Rose Festival events. In 2012, it was even named one of America's ten greatest public spaces!
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Discover Tom McCall Waterfront Park's History
The idea for a park along the river goes way back to 1903. A report by Frederick Law Olmsted suggested that Portland needed more parks. It also said the city should create green spaces along its riverbanks. This plan aimed to keep river access open for future generations. These ideas were brought up again in 1912, but the city focused more on its inner areas.
One challenge for downtown Portland was that the Willamette River would sometimes flood in winter. To protect the city, a seawall was built in 1920. This wall blocked access to the river. Things got even more difficult in 1940 when Harbor Drive, a busy road, was built right along the riverbank.
In the mid-1960s, traffic on Harbor Drive decreased after the Marquam Bridge was completed. A group called "The Waterfront for People" even held a picnic on the small strip of land between the road and the river to show their support for a park. In 1968, Governor Tom McCall started a team to see if Harbor Drive could be replaced with a park. The road removal began in 1974, and the park was finished and opened in 1978. It quickly became very popular. In 1984, it was officially named Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Before the park, the Portland Public Market building also stood where the park is now.
How Citizens Helped Create the Park
A big reason Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park exists is because local citizens got involved. They helped shape the park's design and how it would be used. In 1969, a study was done to show why a waterfront park was needed. Later, in 1972, a group of citizens suggested creating a special district to fund the park. Even in 2002-2003, when the park's plan was updated, citizens joined workshops and meetings to share their ideas. This shows how much the community cared about having this park.
Explore the Park's Different Areas
The park is divided into five main sections, each with its own unique features.
The Esplanade Walkway
The Esplanade is a paved path right along the river. It's part of a longer path that runs on both sides of the Willamette River. This area is perfect for enjoying the river and its views.
The Big Green Bowl
The Bowl is a wide, grassy area that slopes down towards the water. It's located just south of the Hawthorne Bridge. This section acts like a natural outdoor theater. It's used for concerts, including the Oregon Symphony and the Waterfront Blues Festival. The Bowl also hosts annual dragon boat races during the Portland Rose Festival.
Salmon Street Springs Fountain
The Salmon Street Springs fountain is a fun and artistic water feature. It's located north of the Hawthorne Bridge. The fountain is surrounded by a concrete area with steps where people can sit and enjoy the river view.
The John Yeon Building
The historic John Yeon building is next to the Salmon Street Springs fountain. It is home to the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. This area is also where the Portland Spirit cruise ship docks. You can take a two-hour trip on the Willamette River from here.
The Central Lawn Area
The Central Lawn is a large, open grassy space that stretches from Salmon Street Springs to the Burnside Bridge. This part of the park is very busy in the summer. It hosts many outdoor festivals and events.
Discover Special Landmarks in the Park
Battleship Oregon Memorial
The USS Oregon was a famous battleship built in 1893. This memorial, built in 1956, honors this ship and its brave service in many naval battles. Underneath the memorial, there's a time capsule. It was sealed on July 4, 1976, and will be opened on July 5, 2076.
Bill Naito Legacy Fountain
This interactive fountain is a tribute to Bill Naito, a well-known Portland businessman. It opened in 2009 next to the Saturday Market Pavilion. Kids often love to play in its water jets during warm weather.
Founders' Stone
This memorial remembers William Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy. They were the two men who flipped a coin to decide the city's name. If the coin had landed differently, Portland might have been named after Boston, Massachusetts instead of Portland, Maine.
Friendship Circle Sculpture
The Friendship Circle is a sculpture at the north end of Waterfront Park. It was dedicated in 1990. It celebrates the sister city relationship between Portland and Sapporo, Japan. The sculpture has two tall stainless steel towers that make electronic sounds.
Japanese American Historical Plaza
This memorial was dedicated on August 3, 1990. It honors Japanese immigrants and Japanese-American citizens who were sent to special camps during World War II. The memorial features art and sculptures that tell the story of Japanese people in the Pacific Northwest. There are also one hundred beautiful cherry trees north of the plaza.
Police Memorial
The police memorial was built in 1993 near the Hawthorne Bridge. It honors Portland Police officers who lost their lives while serving the city.
Rose Building
The Portland Rose Festival Foundation has its main office in a historic building here. This building was designed by architect John Yeon in 1948 to be the city's Visitors Information Center.
Salmon Street Springs
Salmon Street Springs is a popular fountain where people can play and cool off in the summer. It was dedicated in 1988. It can recycle a lot of water, up to 4,924 US gallons (18,640 L) per minute, through many different jets.
Saturday Market Pavilion
This open-sided building is just north of the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain. It provides shelter for Portland's Saturday Market. The market is held here on weekends from March to December.
Sternwheeler Portland
The 1947 sternwheeler Portland is a historic boat docked at Waterfront Park. It now houses the Oregon Maritime Center and Museum. You can visit the museum to learn about Oregon's maritime history.
The Park's Role in Important Events
Tom McCall Waterfront Park has also been a place for important political events. During the 2004 U.S. presidential election, about 50,000 people gathered in the park to see John Kerry speak. In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, an amazing 75,000 people came to see Barack Obama. This was the largest crowd he had during his campaign!
