Over time, when a natural area becomes damaged, contaminated or polluted, it can become not only difficult to care for, but challenging to bring back to life. The revitalization of the Tualatin River shows that such a challenge requires a methodical plan – one that focuses on connecting the community to the things they care about.
Metro, Tualatin Riverkeepers and Clean Water Services came together on June 24 to celebrate the opening of the Farmington Paddle Launch. The six-acre natural area will serve both as a park and launch site between Rood Bridge Park and Eagle Landing, providing visitors a safe and convenient place to access the river, as well as restrooms, picnic tables and on-site parking.
The program also included a variety of speakers, as well as a performance by Shae Bedford, a participant in Metro’s Youth Ecology Corps.
The three partner organizations came together to restore the area around the river and ensure the land is protected in the years to come.
Metro Council President Tom Hughes talked about the region's commitment to protecting natural areas, such as the Farmington site.
“As I look over my shoulder at this paddle launch, I see a number of things,” said Metro Council President Tom Hughes. “I see the outcome of the great support that people in the metropolitan area have for the concept of creating places like this, where we can do a number of things that connect with nature.”
The event coincided with Tualatin Riverkeepers’ 28th Annual Tualatin River Discover Day, an event where families are invited to explore and become acquainted with the Tualatin River with guidance from the Riverkeepers.
Construction of the launch site began in late September 2016. With its opening, officials hope it will serve as the long-missing piece in the Tualatin River Water Trail – the lower 40 miles of the river that is open to the community and runs through farmland and suburbs.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without great partnerships,” Hughes said. “In many respects, it is the building of the partnerships that is almost as important as the restoring of the natural habitat because the partnerships will go on for a very long time.”
Visitors had the chance to bring their own boat, or rent one at the event for $35.
About twenty years ago, stakeholders came together and concluded that the preservation of the Tualatin River was not only necessary, but a priority to the surrounding community. That resulted in the creation of the nonprofit organization, the Tualatin River Watershed Council, which focuses on engaging the community to sustain the watershed.
“This site has been an eyesore of the county for a very long time. It’s taken a lot of people to come together and clean it up,” said Bob Terry, who is a board member of Clean Water Services and Washington County Commissioner that represents the site. “About 30 years ago, when I first came and was introduced to this river, it wasn’t very exciting – it was pretty nasty at the time. There was little or no habitat left.”
Over the years the river became contaminated with lead and petroleum-hydrocarbons that exceeded the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's risk-based screening levels. Many plants and animals were at risk, but now the habitat is home again to a variety of wildlife, including salmon, steelhead, osprey and blue herons.
During the preparation of the Farmington site, thousands of native plants were reintroduced to the area and many new trees were planted after the removal of several invasive species, like blackberry.
“We provided design support, as well as natural area revegetation,” said Matt Brennan, who is a senior engineer of the watershed management department at Clean Water Services. Brennan was directly responsible for some of the park’s design.
“The river has been the healthiest it’s been in generations and that’s thanks to organizations like Metro,” Brennan said.
The event also featured guest speaker Bonnie Petersen, who has seen the land change drastically over the years. Petersen, 97, came to the land her parents used to own when she was a baby. As she grew up on the river, Petersen spent many summers swimming in the river every day – sometimes twice a day.
“I think it’s unbelievable that they could create such a lovely park. I’m thankful that I could be part of it,” Petersen said. “I just think it’s a wonderful park for everybody to enjoy.”
Petersen’s daughter, Janet Rabe, welcomed guests not only to the paddle launch, but to what used to be her grandparents’ family farm.
“It hasn’t been a farm like my mother’s farm for a long time,” Rabe said. “I’ve heard stories about how everything was, so it’s fun for me to come and actually be on the property.”
Rabe said that she and her family have been excited about the restoration since they heard about it.
“I felt like I was walking back in time to places where my mom and family had played,” Rabe said. “I’d never gotten to be part of that because the property was private property – now I plan to have picnics here, and be here often.”