PORTLAND, Ore. — It looks like an oasis of flowers and greenery, smack dab in the middle of one of Portland's most industrial areas. And in just a matter of days folks can get a view of it. It's the Linnton Mill Restoration Project.
For many, it's sort of a mystery. It's a natural area wedged between two industrial areas along the Willamette River. It's kind of like a park, just not one for humans.
You'll find the Linnton Mill Restoration Project at the end of 107th Street in the small riverside neighborhood
The project started back in 2017 on the site of the old Linnton plywood mill. All the buildings were removed and the land was reshaped to provide the best habitat possible for fish and wildlife. By 2019, the flowers were planted, all sorts of colorful flowers and vegetation.
"You have what really feels like this oasis of green in the middle of all that concrete and steel," said Travis Williams, executive director of Willamette Riverkeeper.
Even that area within the river was restored to help the salmon.
"As juveniles are migrating down the river out to the ocean they need those areas to basically rest and get out of the high flows," said Williams.
The $10-million-plus project was done by the habitat development company RestorCap. It was paid for by companies needing to settle liabilities for the damage they did to the river and to the fish and wildlife that call it home.
Which is why the area will remain fenced off to humans.
"One of the strict requirements of these habitat projects is to really try to avoid human contact as much as we can, so it's off limits to people," said Andy Gregg with RestorCap.
But in just a few days, a path overlooking the natural area will open for visitors. It will give them an up close look at some much-needed change.