The City of Oregon City advises residents and boaters that the Clackamette Park Boat Ramp is closed to motorized vehicles and boat trailers due to safety concerns. A temporary closure has been in effect since October 2021 and this closure is permanent until potential realignment and possible relocation can be identified through a public process. The boat ramp is open to foot and carry-down traffic such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards or other paddlecraft unless further erosion causes unsafe conditions for these uses.
“Public safety is the main factor in this decision,” said Kendall Reid, Oregon City Parks and Recreation Director, “It is unsafe for vehicle use due to the river current eroding material underneath the concrete slabs of the ramp’s foundation.”
An underwater inspection in October 2021 showed a structural material deficit resulting in the closure to trailered motorboats and vehicular traffic to reduce the potential for property damage and injury to the public.
Visitors to the area are encouraged to use other nearby boat ramps to access the Lower Willamette River, including Sportcraft Landing, Meldrum Bar, Cedaroak, Jefferson Street (Milwaukie) or Willamette Park. Additional locations upstream of Willamette Falls in the Newberg Pool include Bernert Landing, Hebb Park and Boones Ferry boat ramps.
In the meantime, a Master Plan of Clackamette Park will begin in 2022 which will provide the public and community partners the opportunity to guide Clackamette Park’s functionality, sustainability, and improvements as well as identify plans for the boat ramps potential realignment and possible relocation.
Clackamette Park lies at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers and is located approximately 400’ downstream of the John McLoughlin Bridge in Oregon City, Oregon.
For questions or more information please contact the Oregon City Parks and Recreation Department at parks@orcity.org or 503-496-1201