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Construction Begins on Willamette River Greenway Trail Connection Project at George Rogers Park

The Team from LO Parks & Rec at the Path Groundbreaking Ceremony. Kyra in the middle is one of the project managers who has done an outstanding job communicating with our neighborhood about this construction process. She said she'll be on site most days throughout the work.
The Team from LO Parks & Rec at the Path Groundbreaking Ceremony. Kyra in the middle is one of the project managers who has done an outstanding job communicating with our neighborhood about this construction process. She said she'll be on site most days throughout the work.

Thank you to City leaders, Parks & Rec team and our neighbors who joined us on July 15 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Willamette River Greenway Trail Connection Project. From Old Town, four Old Town Board Members were there: myself, Bruce Glabau, Jeannie McGuire and Michael Schmidt. Also joining us were Susanna Kuo, Doug Thomas, Nancy Headlee, Peggy Shaeffer and Brent and Barbara Chalmers.


Neighbors talked about this pathway being discussed 30 years ago and were excited to see it now under construction.


We saw some new renderings of what the switchback path will look like that walkers and cyclists will use to get up to the "circle" at George Rogers Park. See photos below.


Architectural renderings of the switchback pathway that will be constructed to get people from the path from the river up to the "circle" at George Rogers Park.
Architectural renderings of the switchback pathway that will be constructed to get people from the path from the river up to the "circle" at George Rogers Park.

Here's a visual of what the pathway construction project involves.



The switchback trail will lead up to where the bathrooms are at lower GRP and the grass circle. Cyclists will see signs asking them to walk their bikes along the circle to connect with the pathway along the river that joins up with Old River Road. That pathway is not being widened nor construction done on it. The hope is people will not walk or ride into the lower GRP parking lot which has no sidewalks nor turn around space for cars. The GRP Master Plan in 2002 did include all this but it was not funded.
The switchback trail will lead up to where the bathrooms are at lower GRP and the grass circle. Cyclists will see signs asking them to walk their bikes along the circle to connect with the pathway along the river that joins up with Old River Road. That pathway is not being widened nor construction done on it. The hope is people will not walk or ride into the lower GRP parking lot which has no sidewalks nor turn around space for cars. The GRP Master Plan in 2002 did include all this but it was not funded.

The City explained, "While this project adds less than 1,000 feet of new trail, it completes the final missing link in more than 2.25 miles of continuous off street, multi use pathway along the Willamette River. Once complete, the trail will connect Foothills Park, Roehr Park, and George Rogers Park, improving access to nature and creating safer walking and biking connections through Lake Oswego's riverfront."



The City explained, "The project will also add an ADA compliant pathway with switchbacks, handrails, and landings, providing a safe and accessible route from the memorial lawn to the river's edge at George Rogers Park."



Construction is underway and will continue throughout the summer and fall. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2026. The City has done a great job with signs with a QR code to learn more about the construction.



City Leaders dedicated the path along with a Metro Councilor. Metro helped with the funding of this pathway construction explaining they are giving back to LO.

Photo: Metro Councilor Christine Lewis, City Manager Pro-Tem Lynn Peterson, City Councilor Rachel Verdick and City Councilor John Wendland at groundbreaking event.
Photo: Metro Councilor Christine Lewis, City Manager Pro-Tem Lynn Peterson, City Councilor Rachel Verdick and City Councilor John Wendland at groundbreaking event.

A very sweet "I love LO" moment occurred for me when I saw Rick from Parks & Rec maintenance taking our 80+ year old neighbor Jeannie McGuire up the hill to her front door in his work golf cart. Thank you Rick!


Rick taking our neighbor Jeannie back to her house up the hill via his work golf cart!
Rick taking our neighbor Jeannie back to her house up the hill via his work golf cart!

During construction, the road/ramp down to the river from the lower GRP parking lot will be used by the construction vehicles. There is fencing separating the construction area from the "beach" area. Here's what construction looks like:


Related Articles:

George Rogers Park is overcrowded in the summer with not enough parking -- part of the reason is idealized social media posts like the one below from Travel Oregon

This is a post from Travel Oregon in July 2026 recommending people go to GRP. These photos don't represent reality of how small the "beach" is and how overcrowded it is on hot days. No mention of the construction going on nor that there are only 20 parking spaces at the lower GRP lot which people Park at to walk along the river to Old River Drive as well. At the lower GRP parking lots there are two handicap spots and two spaces for 5 minute parking for people to drop off. There is no turn around space in the lower parking lot, nor any sidewalks. These were part of the 2002 GRP Master Plan that wasn't funded.
This is a post from Travel Oregon in July 2026 recommending people go to GRP. These photos don't represent reality of how small the "beach" is and how overcrowded it is on hot days. No mention of the construction going on nor that there are only 20 parking spaces at the lower GRP lot which people Park at to walk along the river to Old River Drive as well. At the lower GRP parking lots there are two handicap spots and two spaces for 5 minute parking for people to drop off. There is no turn around space in the lower parking lot, nor any sidewalks. These were part of the 2002 GRP Master Plan that wasn't funded.
What "the beach" is really like on hot days in the summer
What "the beach" is really like on hot days in the summer

Sadly, the 2002 Master Plan for George Rogers Park Was Never Funded

The GRP Master Plan had 3 concepts. In all of them there was an area for people to turn around and Furnace Street was not an access road to GRP as it is now through the Old Town neighborhood.
The GRP Master Plan had 3 concepts. In all of them there was an area for people to turn around and Furnace Street was not an access road to GRP as it is now through the Old Town neighborhood.

Why Locals paddleboard at Roehr Park


This is Roehr Park in LO near Foothills Park - great for putting in paddleboards with plenty of parking
This is Roehr Park in LO near Foothills Park - great for putting in paddleboards with plenty of parking

George Rogers Park is Over Capacity - City Must Act

Pathways at George Rogers Park Aren't ADA Compliant


What George Rogers Park Was Like July 4th weekend 2026​


We love George Rogers Park off season!




 
 
 

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