Willamette Greenway
The Willamette River Greenway is a cooperative state and local government effort to maintain and enhance the scenic, recreational, historic, natural and agricultural qualities of the Willamette River and its adjacent lands. A number of trails exist along the greenway, but significant gaps still exist.
Oregon State Treasurer Robert Straub proposed in 1966 public ownership of lands along the Willamette, during his run for Governor of Oregon. Tom McCall won the election and adopted the proposal. The Greenway was established by the 1967 Oregon legislature and U.S. Senator Maurine Neuberger sought federal funds to support the program.
The 1973 Oregon legislature passed the Willamette River Greenway Act, which established ties to a comprehensive state land use law passed that same year.
In 1975, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development included the Willamette River Greenway as one of nineteen standards for statewide planning, requiring that public access, native vegetation, and scenic views be considered when planning new developments.
