McLoughlin Promenade

The McLouglin Promenade is the quintessential part of Oregon City.
It’s a place that feeds into a greater meaning than it may seem, going from a quaint little town to views of the great Willamette River, which remind you of the nearby beauty of the state. The promenade can be accessed by the Oregon City Municipal Elevator, which is free and very accessible. The ride up isn’t much different than at an urban skyscraper, except for the operator.
After exiting the round top of the elevator with exhibits, there’s a walkway. It takes you through a large pathway with lots of beautiful old homes. There’s a large industrial element, which feels novel kind of like an Oregon version of Tacoma. Lots of benches and grass make this a fun walk.
You can walk to see a great dam and more of the trees. It’s easily laid out and you can easily access other parts of Oregon City. Parking is very cheap with it only being at around a cent per minute by meter.
This classic American feeling here is so special. The town doesn’t have the hype of Hood River, yet it has an unapologeticly classic feel. It really takes you back to the days when the grass was greener.

Good view of a cute town. Lots of antique stores, a bakery, some bars, an arcade and more downtown Oregon city. Really cute and eclectic little town. Nice view and place to walk.

This park makes me long for the days when my boys were little, because for me it is definitely a park that appeals more to those with the Y chromosome. While it is a pretty stroll along a bluff overlooking the Willamette River, it also gives you the much less scenic birds-​eye view of the now defunct Blue Heron paper plant and the industrial side of Oregon City.
You can take the Oregon City Municipal Elevator to get to the Promenade from the historic downtown by the river and also see trains periodically pass by on the tracks below. And did I mention it was loud? Yep, Eastbank Esplanade loud.
Definitely not suited for a little girls’ tea party.
I’ve enjoyed this stroll as part of a historic walking tour of the area, with the kids, with my dog and also to view the 4^th of July fireworks last summer.
There is a relatively narrow paved path along the edge and then a small patch of grass with a number of historic homes (in various stages of restoration and decline) on the other side. A number of flower beds bring some needed color to the park in the springtime and they have old fashioned wood slat and iron benches spaced about 100 meters apart along the main promenade.
My favorite part of the park is at the far end towards the Willamette Falls. If you head away from the path there is a bluff with a nice view of the falls and a meadow filled with small boulders. Another boy magnet. You can cross Highway 99 to take the trail to the official Willamette Falls viewpoint much closer to the river, but it is an open grate metal bridge and stairs that strike fear in hearts of both little kids and puppies. So for some visitors, you may want to turnaround at the bluff.