New Tualatin River Access 🛶

Near Downtown Tualatin

In 2022, the voters of Tualatin approved a $25 million parks and trail bond measure, the proceeds of which are planned to be spent as follows:

Source: City of Tualatin

In this issue, we are going to focus on plans for a new river access in downtown Tualatin.

Currently, there are four access points to the Tualatin River in Tualatin, each with its own attributes and quirks:

1. Brown’s Ferry Park (River Mile 7.5) — Perhaps the best existing access for recreational water users, has seasonal canoe/kayak/SUP rentals from Alder Creek, relatively short walk from parking or rental to dock. Has parking.

2. Tualatin Community Park (River Mile 8.9) — Only access point with a boat ramp, but it is not in great shape and access can be challenging when park is busy. Has parking.

3. Juergen’s Park (River Mile 10.6) — Access is impractical as it requires carrying canoe, kayak or SUP a good distance from parking lot on sidewalk/trails to get to river. Has parking.

4. 99W Bridge & Hazelbrook Rd. (River Mile 11.5) — Very limited parking (~2 parallel parking spaces) and then a bit of a walk to get to put in point under 99W bridge. Access to a quieter part of the river once you escape the noise of 99W.

There is also an access point across the river in Cook Park in Tigard at River Mile 9.8, which has parking and seasonal weekend rentals managed by Tualatin Riverkeepers.

Here is a map of the lower Tualatin River Water Trail:

Source: https://www.tualatinoregon.gov/recreation/tualatin-river-water-trail

📑 Tualatin River Water Trail Map (PDF)

🌐 Tualatin Riverkeepers Water Trail Map (ArcGIS)

While people use these access points none are particularly great or optimized for easy access. Locals and experienced water users may put up with their respective quirks because there aren’t any other options along this part of the Tualatin River, but if a new access point were designed and purpose-built for canoers, kayakers, and paddle boarders to enjoy, it could greatly enhance the experience and improve visitor’s impressions of Tualatin.

During the summer, people come to Brown’s Ferry Park to rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard and then drive away when they are done. What if they were able to enjoy a relaxing meal or post-paddle drink nearby and extend their time in Tualatin?

Here is a rendering of what a future new river access might look like:

Conceptual rendering of future Tualatin River access in downtown Tualatin. Source: City of Tualatin

Where might a new access point be located? Well the goal was near downtown Tualatin and the City of Tualatin is on the cusp of accomplishing two things with one initiative.

You know the property on Boones Ferry that has had a for sale sign on it since the Great Recession? The one that was originally planned for condos, then senior housing, and then has sat with a partially built entrance driveway for so long? This one:

Aerial of future Tualatin River access in downtown Tualatin. Source: City of Tualatin

The City of Tualatin has entered into a purchase and sale agreement (PSA) with the landowner to acquire the site (approximately 3.15 acres) for $1.4 million. It was approved at City Council last month. This suggests a remaining budget of about $2.6 million.

Here is an early look at a possible site design concept:

Site design concept. Source: City of Tualatin

Hopefully more can be done to improve the “curb appeal” so it’s not just a surface parking lot as you pass by. Rather, let’s aspire to make this a true “gateway” feature to the Tualatin River Water Trail that further activates downtown Tualatin.

What would like to see?

Thanks for your interest in Tualatin and thanks for reading this issue of Tualatin Tips. Please let us know what you’d like us to explore in future issues.

Finally, Tualatin Tips will get better the more people know about it. If you think this has promise, please consider sharing it with a friend, neighbor or coworker — and thanks!

-Tualatin Tips