North Beach is a low lying area below Waud Bluff extending north from the University of Portland two miles to Cathedral Park.
Most of the area has been used for heavy industry in the past but two large parcels, the McCormick & Baxter Superfund site and the 27-acre Willamette Cove site are vacant. There is an active rail line running throughout the length of the site, although traffic is light.
In 1998, the Friends of Cathedral Park, University Park, and St. Johns Neighborhood Associations hired a local planning firm to develop a plan for the area. In September of 1999, the North Beach Vision and Action Plan was presented to and accepted by Portland City Council. The report evaluated redevelopment scenarios, access issues and potential trail alignments and made recommendation for each.
You can review newer editions of the plan here:
- City of Portland website – North Portland Greenway Trail Alignment Plan Eastbank Esplanade to Kelley Point Park, 77-page PDF file
- Metro website – North Portland Greenway Trail: St. Johns Connections, 46-page PDF file
