North Beach is a low lying area below Waud Bluff extending north from the University of Portland two miles to Cathedral Park.
“Road access to North Beach is gained from narrow, winding and steep neighborhood streets. 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 Code site are vacant. There is an active rail line running throughout the length of the site, although traffic is light. Though most of the area is not officially available for public use, it is used regularly by runners, bicyclists and dog walkers.”
“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.”
-North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail Feasibility Study Portland Parks & Recreation, Metro, Port of Portland June 2002