Oregon’s Failed Attempt at a 200-Mile Riverfront Park

In an era when Oregon was at the forefront of environmental policy, the state government launched an ambitious project: to preserve the banks of the Willamette River as a single continuous park, over 200 miles in length. With a barrage of conflicting opinions between legislators and landowners, the Willamette River Greenway would soon put Oregon’s identity to the ultimate test.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:12 - Chapter I: An Open Sewer
5:57 - Chapter II: The Tom & Bob Show
10:25 - Chapter III: Picnickers & Litterbugs
15:48 - Chapter IV: Paddling Upstream
20:36 - Chapter V: Throwing a Match into Kerosene
25:56 - Chapter VI: Dead in the Water
31:17 - Chapter VII: A River of Ink & an Acre of Paper
37:08 - Epilogue
40:01 - Credits
This video is for educational purposes and is distributed for non-commercial use. It is not monetized or sponsored. All video footage, images and audio recordings are the property of their original owners and are used in accordance with Fair Use principles.
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“The Wind in Her Hair” by David Celeste
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“Dreaming of Tomorrow” by Francis Wells
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“Come Bearing Gifts” by Francis Wells
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“Live for the Moment” by Gavin Luke
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[@cbwilson2398]

What a remarkable and useful video for anyone interested in Oregon, history, politics or the environment.

[@trondjacobsen5571]

As an Oregonian who grew up in Eugene this is exceptional local reporting. Excellent writing and production. First rate.

[@jeaniLovesAnimals]

Bob & Tom did some fine work in Oregon. Too bad we don't have men such as they were nowadays. Thank you for your work on subjects that need to be heard.. Oregon has gone through some changes that would make these fine men roll in their graves.. God bless you. I ❤️ Oregon..

[@RA-mg3ue]

civility - how refreshing -

[@jeffbuckles]

Even before it finished there was one thing I wanted to comment on -- how much we need the kind of mutual respect across the aisle that Straub and McCall had for each other. Then that last frame hit. You get it. It amazes me the amount of research and production you are able to do in only a few months, and totally worth waiting for. The topics are always interesting and engaging, and you present it in such a gentle, relaxed way that I'm ruined for other documentaries. Thank you.

[@AuroraMills]

I worked for the Oregon State Parks in the early 80's when the Willamette Greenway project was in full swing. At the time, Oregon State Parks were charged with developing and maintaining the specific sites along the Willamette. On a typical day, we would take a jet boat, loaded with equipment, from portable toilets to small vehicles, and begin a run down to WIllamette Mission State Park. We would then work our way back to Champoeg State Park, maintaining each Greenway access point along the way. We developed and maintained trails, built overnight areas, and boat landings. It was an incredible journey. I won't comment on the politics, or the efficacy of the program; it was complicated to say the least.

[@TheDuderix]

I live in Europe and have no relation to Oregon, but you tell those stories in a way that it's impossible not to get caught by them, probably because many things that characterise them are so universally applicable. It's impressive to see what people dared to pursue. Things might not have turned out exactly how they envisioned, but they still changed things for the better on a magnitude that seems pretty hard to imagine in todays political climate. The special relationship between those two politicians, the ideals they had, and the respect with which they treated each other is heartwarming. I hope, as societies, we'll get back to the point where substance will be more important than just getting to power, no matter what it takes. Thank you for sharing those stories!

[@StevenACastellano]

Your intuitive comments completely encapsulate what heartens me, as a lifelong Oregonian, about our state's history and what concerns me about its future.

[@juliahaynie764]

I grew up in Oregon during this time, and I have loved those parks, and that river. I also learned that politics doesn’t have to be nasty. People who are politicians can have morals and be decent people. Living in Alaska I can see how dysfunctional a state can get without a legacy of solid governance and leadership. There are some politicians here who would be at home in Oregon politics, but most are just unable to see the bigger picture and stay (or start out) ethical.

[@sherifarris5741]

Boy I sure agree with your statement @juliahaynie764 !

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Its sad to see how badly far leftists have really ruined this city and state industry. But Oregon also had a very rough start

[@FreeRadicalX]

Thank you so much for your dedication to Oregon history. I've learned so much about my adopted state through you.

[@GaiaCarney]

As have I! Thanks, Peter Dibble for this stellar film 💕

[@LouT1501]

I was growing up in Salem during the 60s, mostly unaware that all of this was happening...but very aware of the condition of the Willamette. I remember seeing the river run red with discharge from the local canneries and other industries. In 1966, Tom McCall campaigned at my high school and I remember shaking his hand. Years later, and living in the valley south of Albany, I got to meet Liz Vanleeuwen. She was quite the spark plug in our area, even into her 90s dealing with local political concerns and politicians. She passed a few years ago but her family, her son James and now late son Tim own and farm in the Halsey area to this day. Thank you for the great history lesson.

[@drmoynihan]

Actually, Liz VanLeeuwen passed away last November (November 27, 2022, Halsey, OR). She was a wonderful person and really worked for the good of all Oregonians. She saw the problems with overreaching government and brought people together towards mutual understanding and trust. We saw Liz at her farm a month before she passed and she was still talking about these times and even working on her book.

[@brettoberry3586]

I was born and raised in Salem. I grew up swimming in the dirty Willamette river in the 70's and 80's. Everyone I knew was repulsed by the idea of touching that water. If we were fishing, it was catch and release only.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Watching pasty transplants in cosplay outfits go out there is hilarious

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

I grew up here during this time. As a kid on the river starting in the later 60s, you could barely see any signs of pollution. The river healed quickly. I think the compromise with the greenway worked out very well. There are parks in significant areas while the small greenway parks in between see minor use. The trio of McCall, Straub and Atiyeh were head and shoulders better statesmen than anyone we have seen since and Oregon has greatly suffered after their departure. Had the greenway project been properly funded I think the farmers I knew would have been more cooperative. Without such funding, the government should not have been trusted. All in all, the chapters of these three Governors will be well received compared with our current trajectory as a state. There is a reason an actual pioneer stands atop the capitol. We have lost that spirit.

[@WalterDiamond]

There's a Bob Straub Parkway in Springfield, and I've long wondered who that was. Thanks! Another terrific bit of Oregon history.

[@ivanoffw]

I too knew of the highway, and based off of Bob Straub's legacy, as seen in this video, it's as if the City wanted to send a steak through his dead body.. I suppose it could have been worse, renaming the pulp mill after Straub. A more fitting tribute would have been to name a park along either the Willamette, or the McKenzie after Governor Straub.

[@simon7762]

Remarkable. Your videos are so incredibly well produced. And here I sit, thousands of miles from Oregon having never visited the state nor the United States, learning about the history and the evolution of this project, in awe.

[@eschybach]

You create such quality content. Thank you for sharing your ability to communicate history in such a beautiful and digestible manner.

[@FutureAZA]

As a PNW local (about an hour north of Portland) I love watching these!

[@photogazer]

Outstanding documentary. It should receive a larger audience.

[@drmoynihan]

Liz VanLeeuwen passed away last November (November 27, 2022, Halsey, OR). She was a wonderful person and really worked for the good of all Oregonians. She saw the problems with overreaching government and brought people together towards mutual understanding and trust. We saw Liz at her farm a month before she passed and she was still talking about these times and even working on her book. I was really blessed by Liz, as were the people of Oregon.

[@yukko_parra]

Oregon and Peter Dribble are always an amazing combo

[@magiciangob]

Another great film, as always Peter. I grew up in Salem, lived in Eugene and Corvallis, and now in Portland. It's great to hear about how so many of the parks and green spaces I've visited throughout my life are related. Growing up here it didn't seem unusual but seeing the history presented here really makes me realize how unique it is. Poor Straub! McCall gets all the credit, but imagine if Straub had won the first time around.

[@knownawol]

I love these niche Oregon documentaries so much. Would love to sign up for a patreon to get more of these

[@andrewkruszka1674]

Absolutely amazing video, your work is always of the highest quality! I wish we had a channel like yours for my home state of Wisconsin. There are always so many parts of history that get lost to time, and the way you are able to bring them to like is second to none.

[@mikebarron5805]

It would be great if every state had someone of Peter's caliber producing content like this for the people, the intrested and the state.

[@andrewkruszka1674]

@@mikebarron5805 Absolutely

[@oregonwoodwizard]

Thank you for this masterpiece of our Oregon history

[@mario56m]

I'm so happy I found someone who goes in-depth on Oregon history and geography. I've lived here my whole life and it seems really hard to find the history you're showcasing on this channel. Keep up the hard work. Your content is easy to digest and very well-informed. The video about Pixieland Park was awesome. I fish the Salmon River every few months and always wondered why the wetland looked so unnatural in the spot where Pixie Land was located. Definitely a sub from me.

[@wheninroamful]

Man, Mr Dibble, you make such high quality/no nonsense content. Visually pleasing on a high level and the info is too the point. 10/10 no doubt.

[@ComFlingo]

Woo new video from one of my fav channels to constantly rewatch!

[@prisonerr24601]

This is PBS level quality. Great work here.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Its vastly better and not politically spun

[@l.l.2463]

I don't usually have the focus to watch a video more than 20 minutes long, but I had no problem staying with this one. That's the highest compliment I can give you!

[@markscott4159]

I know you put a ton of time and research into your videos, which makes them great, but I wish there were more. Anyways, keep making great videos. As a born and raised Oregonian, I find your videos fascinating and informative

[@juliamcwilliam]

4am and i can finally fall asleep to something not designed to give me a nightmare :)

[@davidgjam7600]

Unless you're a fish circa 1950

[@NFS305]

4am club

[@godswittness69]

Love the wholesome... 😊💚

[@kevinmckinstry4200]

Your videos are always phenomenal!!!

[@audiomiragemusic]

This is a great collection of information. Awesome work! Thank you!

[@wilburjunior9949]

I got to experience Salem's riverside parks during the 3 days around the total solar eclipse of August 2017. Really enjoyed those days, and this video 👍

[@NFS305]

How was the eclipse?

[@Farbulus]

As a kayaker who moved to the area I appreciate your videos Peter!

[@mackpines]

I swear, these videos get better and better Peter! What a fantastic video. So worth the wait. People say the Willamette is cleaner now but, you’ll never catch me swimming in it. I still think it’s pretty dirty. I prefer swimming in the Columbia.

[@BigBadBradDoug]

It’s always a great day when Peter uploads

[@hhwippedcream]

Love your behind-the-scenes creation! Insightful, reflective, and helpful in describing the myriad challenges to creating sweeping, long term positive change. Thank you for creating and sharing!

[@jaymacpherson8167]

In childhood, I watched the government condemn suburban land on which occupied houses stood. Route 66 now crosses that land into Washington DC. The condemnation shook the lives of the families forced to move. Even at such a young age, I recognized the utter unfairness of those condemnations. I benefited greatly by the creation of Water Front Park in Portland as I organized games on those fields in the 1990s, except when the festivals were present. I am thus grateful to former Governor Straub. Thank you Peter.

[@matej_n8392]

Great as usual. I love your documentaries. Thank you.

[@SethDStanley]

One of the most underrated Documentary creators on youtube. Thank you for this amazing video!

[@JustinBrouillette]

As always, so enjoyable. Thank you Peter for your excellent work 🙇‍♂

[@SpicyGramCracker]

My family left California when I was 4 for the Willamette Valley. My parents soon encouraged other family members to leave Pennsylvania, Arizona, and California to join us. As I was growing up at every opportunity he had, my uncle from PA would say how lucky we were to have a governor with the care and foresight to limit building height to 7 stories so no Oregonians view of our beautiful state would ever be obstructed. And we were ❤ 🏔️ 🌊

[@JK360noscope]

Great!

[@godswittness69]

I've traveled quite a bit and this is the place I choose to call home 🏡💚

[@terenceflanagan1225]

So you started it huh ? Why you! 🤣

[@craigsteinke2986]

Peter you continue to amaze with such high quality documentaries and fascinating story telling. Many thanks for reminding us of the visionary leaders such as McCall and Straub. I’ve been living in Thailand now for over a year, but still miss the hours I’ve spent at Mary Young park in West Linn, Mollalla, and McCall waterfront. My gosh think what Oregon would have looked like with such leaders. Thank you again Peter

[@AidanKedzierski]

Whenever you have a video come out I get so excited to watch it and then tell whoever I can about your channel. You’re one of my favorite documentarians and I love your focus and style. I’m all the way in Georgia nowhere near the PNW but your videos make the idea of visiting my friend there even more appealing. Thank you for making amazing videos!

[@CPorter]

The story was amazing, brilliantly and effectively told. The music was properly pensive and exciting. This is one of those stories in which I find it hard to cast any sort of blame in any direction. All parties aside from the notably wisely, entirely unaddressed and nameless minority that selfishly wanted to keep polluting, had the environment and state's posterity in mind at all costs. This channel is so underrrated.

[@sherifarris5741]

❤❤❤

[@raviamodernepic]

Love your Oregon history videos 🔥🔥

[@EnclaveGeneral]

This absolutely deserves more views. Amazing video!

[@davidrichter57]

That was a beautiful piece of work. Thank you!

[@nateb4543]

I recently started work as a land surveyor. Occasionally i have to measure pipe depths in manholes. Sanitary or storm is an important distinction. A few months in i pulled a lid and had no idea what I was looking at. Called my boss and said "it looks like its both" and he responded with "thats cause it is" i got to see the mechanism for when too much rain leads to sewage in the Willamette

[@Grime_time]

Your videos are so well made, I normally can’t watch a video this long and somehow you keep my attention! Great job 👏

[@TTS-TP]

It really is sad how many patches, stretches of this project that are the only property in their area that look like absolute hell. Much of these properties were outright taken from people. Every single private stretch on the river is guaranteed to be more maintained, cleaner, and kept in its natural state in my area. We have two small remnants of the park system. Most people can't even tell if they're able to get in the one (closed,open,closed..), the other is in a dispute over entrance rights, because they stepped over property line in placing a fence and entrance gate. Absolute classic government misspending, and disregard.

[@fosbury68]

Thank you. As a lifelong Oregonian who grew up (in Eugene) in the 60’s and 70’s this informed overview is very helpful in clarifying my childhood memories of that era and this ambitious effort.

[@csciacchitano]

Fantastic work as always. A great counterpart to the recent talk Douglas Brinkley gave for the OHS lecture series this past year.

[@bosswhispering]

Thank you for all of the hard work you put into this. It is beautifully crafted.

[@stevewausa]

Another gem. Thanks for continuing this work!

[@HalfACupOfRice]

I immediately recognized the location in the camera pan at 37:49 as Lower Memorial Park in Wilsonville (correct me if I'm wrong) and quite honestly it was a bit of a special moment for me. Being a Wilsonvillian, the image of a afternoon sunny day under the forest canopy along the Willamette evoked many wonderful memories. I appreciate all of your work Peter for sharing to the world the stories and history of the state we love and call home. Thank you and keep up the fantastic work.

[@peterdibble]

Good eye, you nailed it. Thank you!

[@TheWillRogers]

"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit." McCall and Straub saught to plant trees and the OFB did then (as they do now) fight to ensure that shade can only be used by the private land holders. Fantastic video.

[@cooljonathan]

Condemning land to build highways: I sleep Condemning land to build a beautiful park: REAL SHIT

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Yet another excellent documentary covering very often forgotten history. Thank you

[@abbyfarber9308]

What a well done and interesting piece! Hopefully will get shown on OPB.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Why? Its not biased money begging its a real documentary

[@alfredVN]

It's beyond me how you have such a small following, but always glad to see when your videos reach beyond that sphere and soon enough this one will too

[@christopherhatch5562]

a peter dibble DROP boyz!! gonna be a good friday!!!!!!!!!!

[@snowzone1593]

Excellent video. I grew up during all of this. I remember the pollution. I went into the Navy in 1966 and got out in 1970. and was amazed how much cleaner the Willamette looked. Thank you very much

[@guitarmeggedonit5232]

Thank you for these pioneers. I grew up in Oregon, and it was beautiful.

[@bierbrauer11]

Thank you for your content! Always so well done!

[@benmcreynolds8581]

Thank you so much for making such quality content about the area's around my hometown of Corvallis, Oregon. Hardly anyone makes content on Oregon. This is so amazing to finally see someone who's so passionate & talented, create such well put together & well researched videos. Thank you so much for the wonderful work that you do and I'm interested in any future work you end up doing as well. Have a wonderful day.

[@bryan_turner]

Excellent video! I always thoroughly enjoy your videos!

[@bos2pdx2yvr]

I love your documentaries, Peter. They’re always so thoroughly researched, very well told stories about interesting subjects. Keep up the great work! 😀

[@joyinstitches456]

This was amazing! I adore the hard work you placed into this channel and the content it holds.

[@santoast24]

Someday, I have hope for a WIllamette Greenway. Maybe it'll take longer than I'll be alive, and with much gentler approaches, but the hope remains that my descnedants will be able to walk along (or very near) that great river, from Cottage Grove or Oakridge, to Sauvie's Island without ever leaving the same park

[@WompodReviews]

you can do a kind of peacemail kayak route but... its not quite the same. still very cool though.

[@michaelbartyzal1306]

Massive homeless camp🤔

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Why? The river is dotted with public owned access points already, AND in Oregon, the entire length of all stream waterways are allowed foot access for fishing inside a zone from water edge to normal high water line.

[@WompodReviews]

@@michaelbartyzal1306 oh so we just shouldnt make parks anymore then, right?

[@robbinsdrones]

Who knew!? Unfortunate that this didn't come to fruition, would have been an amazing park.

[@aliciapotts3074]

Another entertaining and informative piece Peter...

[@ever989]

Love your videos. Thank you for your work and dedication to the preservation of history for future generations to learn from.

[@JesseGallego-pb2bk]

I'm so happy that my mom birth me in Oregon,I call Rogue Valley home😊 all my 42 years of life living in Hugo outside of Grants pass,OR. I try to find whatever I can about history in Oregon great video. I hope you guys up North don't forget about us here in the south. We are part of Oregon too

[@NotDrDre]

Another top notch documentary

[@jamiebray8532]

I absolutely love your videos. The research & work you put into them rivals if not surpasses other documentary makers. Even the ones backed by big budgets & powerful corporations.

[@venw6811]

Wonderful as always!

[@dms555]

10/10. Thank you for making interesting and enriching video documentaries about Oregon and other fascinating topics.

[@g_e_o_m9369]

Another damn good video Peter, was this inspired by the Coalca landing video?

[@peterdibble]

Thanks! Yes, after learning about the Greenway while researching that video, it was always my intention to eventually circle back and dive deeper into this story.

[@viewmastertravels5114]

I’ve really found your documentaries inspirational and I’ve visited a few of the places you’ve covered in my own videos, starting with the video you did on the Mt. Hood Skiway - that video inspired me to take the trip up there and check it out. I cover View Master travel locations which has a very strong Oregon connection. Thanks for your time and effort to make these videos.

[@peterdibble]

Cool concept! I'll check out some of your videos.

[@Brian_Friesen]

This is very well done documentary. Props to the producer.

[@evanpatten4101]

I simply love your videos. I think I've watched almost every one of them. You have a real talent in showcasing the history of Oregon. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos, even as a lifelong Oregonian. If your open to suggestions i would love one on the Oregon City papermill. I did a speech and a paper on what its new use should be in College when Blue Heron Paper Company went bankrupt. I know its got a lot going on now and I drive past it almost every day on my way from work. It always sparks my interest and curiosity. I grew up mainly in Canby and used to pass it all the time but know very little about its history. I'm sure you would do it justice. Anyways thabks for the history lesson.

[@siggy6044]

This was a fascinating look into the efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the valley. I walk my dog almost every day in Bryant Park along the Willamette. There are remnants of several structures scattered throughout that I've wondered for years about. I'm guessing whatever they were was shut down as part of opening the park. I wish they had put markers explaining what the parks replaced when they disrupted local industries.

[@michaelmerrimon6351]

We moved to Portland about 3 years ago, and you have been a constant source of facts about our new home ever since. Thank you!

[@GMCon42s]

I appreciate all the work put into this video. Well done🙂

[@dantupper1784]

Just incredible, as always!

[@agoatmannameddesire8856]

Some of this also lives on as part of the Willamette River Water Trail. You can even find some little parks along the river that are only accessible from the water!

[@gordonquickstad]

Another report of Peter Dibble's awesome Oregon research with great production quality!

[@Panzermeister36]

Another great video. Thank you!

[@bobbyg4100]

Great Video, very well done. The Panoramic views , Maps and Newspaper Cutouts with Political history makes this one of the best Videos I’ve ever watched. My own Family of 5-Children suffer from over Governmental Control of our own Land. We own 50-Acres of Land and because of abusive County Regulations we cannot build a single house for any of our own Children. This is a form of Communistic Control. We have to have over 80-Acres just to build one more home. That’s pure Evil in the form of a n over controlling Agency. My neighbor 100-yards to the West has 3-Homes on 15-Acres because it’s Grand Fathered in. How in Gods name is that fair ? I do appreciate you remained neutral in pushing an agenda. Thank you for that. It’s important we don’t allow a tyrannical controlling Government land grab to take power over all of us yet preserving our Waterways cleanliness is important. Current day Oregonians need to oppose the illogical Environmental Wack Jobs that don’t use common sense in allowing us to use our Timber Industry productions and changing Land use laws to prohibit family’s from living together on there own land.

[@stevengeorge5605]

Well done. Very, well done! Thank you!

[@andrewkessinger5966]

Excellent work as usual! Another obscure river-related piece of Oregon history is the Lafayette Locks if you ever need ideas for research.

[@TheGamingJs]

I get so excited for your Oregon videos

[@jeffreyhunt1727]

You're maybe the only youtuber I know who bats 1000 ;) Great Video!!

[@pistolcutler4874]

You should do one on Bob Straub State Park in Pacific City. About the horse park and how it came around.

[@jaybear57]

I live minutes from the banks of the Willamette river. It is beautiful with it's scenic banks up and down Oregon. There's great fishing and summer water sports. It did get really dirty with pollutants for awhile. But it is cleaned up now. A constant park along the whole river would be quite a stretch but living here and seeing this river and it's scenic banks, it certainly would be quite the thing to see.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

" its cleaned up now . " um no its not my transplant freind. Anyone who's local knows better

[@ShanFilmz]

Amazing documentary!

[@xsleep1]

Excellent documentary.

[@YourOwnWay]

Fascinating, educational, and enjoyable piece of work.

[@danielvr4053]

Well Done. Now about the cast iron storefront that were stored to make an iron front district in downtown Portland, what happened to that project and those storefronts?

[@markschuette3770]

all waterways and rivers and even creaks should always be held in ownership by the government- and preserved and protected from destructions!

[@markbroad119]

I always really enjoy your videos. I also can't believe the FBI would lie to the public. 😂