Waud Bluff segment update

January 21, 2026

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Waud Bluff proposed trail including established Coast Guard Station and UofP River Campus — Yellow line shows proposed Waud Bluff trail segment. Red lines indicate completed trail segment – on left University of Portland River campus, on right Waud Bluff trail on Swan Island leading up to Willamette Blvd.

The npGREENWAY board members met with a representative of the US Coast Guard, headquartered on Swan Island, to discuss the Willamette Greenway Trail adjoining their property, and continuing around Waud Bluff to the University of Portland River campus. This is a challenging segment of the trail, as it follows the railroad line and is hemmed in by the river on one side and Baud Bluff on the other.

npGREENWAY board member Jeff Lang with Coast Guard representative. — npGREENWAY board member Jeff Lang with Coast Guard representative at the Coast Guard dock .

npGREENWAY board members with Coast Guard representative. — npGREENWAY board members Pat Jewett and Jeff Lang talk with the Coast Guard representative along Waud Bluff near the site of the proposed trail looking west across the Willamette River.

The Waud Bluff trail segment connects the Swan Island segment of the trail to the south of Waud Bluff, to the completed University of Portland trail segment to the north of Waud Bluff. The Waud Bluff segment offers wooded paths with sweeping views over Swan Island and the Willamette River. Waud Bluff is a wooded environment and proximity to river habitat make it part of the city’s broader network of natural corridors. It is frequented by joggers, dog walkers, and students and occasionally used for nature observation and photography.

We walked the potential pathway for the trail along the railroad tracks, discussing the possible location of the trail, and the hurdles that must be overcome (see photos below).

The terminus of the trail on Swan Island currently ascends a set of stairs up to Willamette Ave. The trail eventually will continue along the Willamette river to the University of Portland.

Waud Bluff stairs that ascend from Swan Island to Willamette Blvd. — Waud Bluff stairs that ascend from Swan Island across railroad tracks and up to Willamette Blvd.

The continuance of the Waud Bluff trail segment depends on the relationship with Union Pacific Railroad for the trail to follow the tracks, or sufficient support to construct the trail along the adjoining hill side or river side.