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

[@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.

[@trondjacobsen5571]

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

[@SethDStanley]

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

[@JJ.LovesAnimals]

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 -

[@cbwilson2398]

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

[@BellaMirelli]

I live in Oregon, and it's just fun to always learn something new about the things around me through these videos and what could've been in those places. Makes me feel a lot more connected to where I live.

[@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 !

[@nannerz1994]

I'm not from Oregon and I've never been to Oregon but this guy makes phenomenal videos

[@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.

[@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 💕

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@photogazer]

Outstanding documentary. It should receive a larger audience.

[@eschybach]

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

[@guitarmeggedonit5232]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@FutureAzA]

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

[@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.

[@ever989]

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

[@ComFlingo]

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

[@Brian_Friesen]

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

[@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!

[@Jayray-zk5iq]

Always love when you post! I've lived in oregon all of my so far 22 years of life, i will forever be interested in learning about this beautiful state, thank you for all the education you bring to this world

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@yukko_parra]

Oregon and Peter Dribble are always an amazing combo

[@kevinmckinstry4200]

Your videos are always phenomenal!!!

[@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.

[@audiomiragemusic]

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

[@matej_n8392]

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

[@oregonwoodwizard]

Thank you for this masterpiece of our Oregon history

[@prisonerr24601]

This is PBS level quality. Great work here.

[@tavitafish]

As someone who has always lived near the Willamette (oak grove and oregon city) i would kill for the Greenway to have a comeback. The ability to hike to anywhere along the river would be amazing. Especially if we mixed it with things like the Tumwata village plans.

[@knownawol]

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

[@Defender_messenger]

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

[@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.

[@bosswhispering]

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

[@Farbulus]

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

[@JustinBrouillette]

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

[@dms555]

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

[@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

[@stevewausa]

Another gem. Thanks for continuing this work!

[@BigBadBradDoug]

It’s always a great day when Peter uploads

[@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

[@davidrichter57]

That was a beautiful piece of work. Thank you!

[@Freesavh1776]

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.

[@csciacchitano]

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

[@EnclaveGeneral]

This absolutely deserves more views. Amazing video!

[@gordonquickstad]

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

[@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?

[@bos2pdx2yvr]

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

[@bierbrauer11]

Thank you for your content! Always so well done!

[@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

[@levisweet979]

Great research,Great presentation!

[@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]

❤❤❤

[@bryan_turner]

Excellent video! I always thoroughly enjoy your videos!

[@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.

[@raviamodernepic]

Love your Oregon history videos 🔥🔥

[@aliciapotts3074]

Another entertaining and informative piece Peter...

[@danpinnell7502]

Presently sitting on the shore of turner lake in oregon fishing and listening to this video

[@abbyfarber9308]

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

[@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.

[@Rascilon25]

This was really well made and informative.

[@GMCon42s]

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

[@ekim72]

Great vid, keep 'em coming.

[@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

[@TheGamingJs]

I get so excited for your Oregon videos

[@YourOwnWay]

Fascinating, educational, and enjoyable piece of work.

[@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!

[@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 🏡💚

[@andrewkessinger5966]

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

[@Panzermeister36]

Another great video. Thank you!

[@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!

[@Meg_A_Byte]

Somehow you made a river I've never heard about and American politics which I hate, actually enjoyable to watch. If you had a Patreon I'd join, but at least you have kofi. Greetings from Europe.

[@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.

[@venw6811]

Wonderful as always!

[@traubsmuzach]

Thank you for such an informative in-depth look at the Willamette. Being a native Oregonian born in Lane county, it’s truly fascinating!🙏🏻

[@chrisrock772]

My car, 55 Olds 88, broke down in Eugene, in 1976. I had it fixed at a local radiator shop, owned by Wayne Gardner. He was also a river guide, who, in 1969, was featured in NG mag, taking the NG writer/photographer floating from Oakridge to Corvallis on his drift boat, showcasing how the Willamette River had been cleaned up. I ended up relocating to Eugene, and have enjoyed the local rivers, now, for almost 50 years! Mud runs, a foot deep, along bridal paths at Elijiah Bristow SP! Only been back to NJ once, since then.

[@pistolcutler4874]

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

[@NotDrDre]

Another top notch documentary

[@jamesbaconreid]

beautiful video, thank you

[@cooljonathan]

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

[@BuenoSuertes]

Based on this essay, I think the biggest failing (which isn't really one anymore) was the lack of imagination about the timeline needed for this plan; it should have been decades, not just a few political terms. Given that the park land has continued to grow, it looks likely to grow on into the future. For example, at Phillip Island in Australia, there is a beach where little penguins land and nest. What the government did was pass a law that forced homeowners to sell only to the state. This meant that no one would be forced to sell immediately, and according to the guides they would be paid a fair value. At some point when enough people had moved away (or passed away) the living environment would be more national park and less a beach vacation village. The remaining residents would presumably be nudged to sell out then. I think the passage of time would have made the farmers more willing to sell. Many would age out of agricultural work and the changing social norm would make it sensible to sell the land for park use. But who can really see how this would play out a half century and beyond after?

[@dantupper1784]

Just incredible, as always!

[@RealChrisHatch]

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

[@d.e.7467]

Fun fact: Theodore Geer, the 10th governor of Oregon (first Oregon born) "signed the 1899 "cycle path" legislation passed by the State Legislature that was to create a statewide network of bicycle paths.[8] Governor Geer regularly bicycled from his home in Macleay to the Capitol.[9][10]" - Wikipedia. No mention that I could find why it never came to fruition. A recent attempt by cyclist groups to create a path between Albany and Corvallis also met strong resistance from farmers.

[@hotswap6894]

Excellent video as always, though I think this was a missed opportunity to mention the impending future redevelopment of the paper kill site at the willamette falls by the tribes, which will finally open them up to the public.

[@peterdibble]

It slipped my mind to mention this until after this video was already wrapped up, but you're right that it's a good example of this concept coming to fruition.

[@hotswap6894]

@@peterdibble maybe a history of the falls would be a good video for you to do.

[@hotswap6894]

Also, speaking of contemporary times if you do do a history of the Willamette video you should so talk about the algae blooms from Ross Island, as well as the port of Portland superfund site.

[@dscarson1]

This is really quite good. Congratulations on a job very well done.

[@moon-ud8tq]

4:27 We have too many Hatfields (Governor) and so few Straub (Dem) and McCalls (Rep) in our Government -- non-cooperative "could careless"politicians (and i add, more so in our Washington State!)

[@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.