The City of Troutdale is starting design and engineering work on a 3.5 acre waterfront park and trail along the Sandy River in the The Confluence at Troutdale site. Once complete, the trail will close a gap in connecting downtown Troutdale with the regional 40 Mile Loop trail system and the existing trail along the I-84 bridge connecting to the Sandy River Delta natural area and future trails into the Columbia River Gorge. The trail and park will also complement future private development efforts in the Urban Renewal Area.
Project History
2014 - Sandy River Access Plan
In 2014, the City in partnership with Metro developed the Sandy River Access Plan, which created the template for proposed waterfront park and trail to better connect Troutdale residents and visitors with one of our most iconic natural assets, the Sandy River. In doing so, park and trail investment would coincide with private development that works well with the surrounding area.
2019 & 2020 - 30% Design
In October 2019, an open house on trail and park design concepts was held, with about 50 attendees offering feedback. From that feedback, the City worked with MZLA and Firwood Design Group to establish a 30 percent design of the park and trail.
The design calls for a minimum 12 foot wide trail that connects with the existing trailhead to the I-84 bridge in the north with the currently improved trail in Depot Park to the south. The design calls for an elevated section that will go underneath the Union Pacific Railroad tressle. The path will need to be elevated in this area to accommodate for allowable slope ratings for ADA compliance and to have minimal interference with natural floodplains in this area.
The park that is envisioned will be linear in nature and would feature three main areas of congregation, including the possibilities of play equipment for kids and a gathering area for picnics and events. Efforts to maintain significant trees already on site and to introduce new trees were also addressed.
2020 & 2021 - Next Phases
The City will anticipate moving forward with a 60 percent and 90 percent design of the trail and has budgeted for design work in its 2020-21 budget proposal. A multi-year invasive species removal program will also be initiated to remove blackberry and English ivy growth along the trail path and embankment. It is hoped that the city will also secure grant funding to help fund these design efforts and ultimately construction efforts as well, which could take place as early as 2022.
