Eastbank Esplanade

About the Eastbank Esplanade The historic nature of the Burnside Bridge prohibits any structure from adding any weight to the bridge: the connector that connects the Esplanade to the Burnside Bridge does not lean on the bridge, it merely 'kisses' the bridge.

The connector is held in place by pilings sunk into a huge concrete base and the tower structure bears the weight of the stair truss.

Designed by Mayer/Reed, landscape architects, there are 13 urban markers at key locations along the Esplanade that mark the eastside city street grid.

Mayer/Reed also designed 22 interpretive panels that are attached to the markers.

Each marker also includes unique lighting to illuminate the walkway at night.

A total of 280 trees and 43,695 shrubs were planted along the Esplanade, mostly native plants of Oregon.

To the north of the Morrison Bridge, the Esplanade provides a lookout over what looks like strange rock formations, but whic

The panels provide information about the river and the rich history of the area - from the building of Portland’s bridges to the development of Portland’s eastside.

In places, the riverbank has been reshaped with grading that allows for shallow habitat.

Bio-engineering techniques use native vegetation and other areas pre-treat I-5 runoff before it enters the river.

(All this is a unique feat for a river that seasonally fluctuates 30 feet in water depth. ) The plantings also minimize the need for riprap rock for erosion control.

Wildlife that inhabits this area includes beavers, ducks, geese, herons, steelhead, and salmon.

The Esplanade is a demonstration project for improved habitat areas for fish and wildlife and riverbank restoration.

The construction timeline for the Esplanade, especially work that had to be done in the river, was timed carefully to be sensitive to fish migration seasons.

Several large 'root wads' were trucked to the site from Central Oregon and were anchored in place along the riverbank to provide important habitat areas for fish.

The Eastbank Esplanade has been an important part of the long-term vision for downtown Portland. Early city planners included the park in the 1988 Central City Plan. At the direction of City Council in 1993, work began on developing a master plan to guide the design and construction of the Eastbank Esplanade. The City formed a citizen Eastbank Riverfront Project Advisory Committee (PAC) to provide project oversight to City staff. The PAC included members of adjacent neighborhoods, the Central Eastside Industrial Council, landowners, river and environmental enthusiasts, and long-time parks activists. Hargreaves Associates, landscape architects based in San Francisco, was selected as the lead consultant. Completed in January 1994, the Eastbank Master Plan described an esplanade with docks, piers, overlooks, a plaza for festivals and gatherings, floating walkways, fountains, public art, and connections to the neighborhoods and Portland’s bridges. The Esplanade would connect the east and west sides of the Central City around its central feature – the Willamette River. Construction of the Esplanade began in October 1998 and was completed in May 2001. The Esplanade was named after Mayor Vera Katz in November 2004 to honor her vision and leadership for Portland - which included support for the construction of the esplanade. A bronze sculpture of the mayor by Bill Bane was installed on the plaza at the south end of the esplanade in June 2006.