Oxbow Regional Park to close for months starting in September

A popular Sandy River park near Portland will close for several months beginning in September as crews replace an aging water system.

Metro announced Aug. 13 that Oxbow Regional Park will close to all visitors starting Sept. 8. The closure is expected to continue through January while construction takes place inside the park.

The project will affect one of the Portland area’s major destinations for hiking, camping, swimming, river access, and fall wildlife viewing.

Oxbow Regional Park sits along the Sandy River east of Gresham.

What areas of Oxbow Regional Park will be closed?

The closure will include the entire park, according to Metro.

Visitors will not have access to hiking trails, the campground, river beaches, the hilltop equestrian trail, or other recreation areas. Boat launches will also close to river traffic.

The full closure is necessary because crews will use heavy equipment on Oxbow’s only road while replacing water lines. The work will also require extensive digging and construction in the roadway, Metro said.

Metro park operations district manager Jason Ligons said officials considered whether portions of the park could remain accessible during construction. However, a closed road could prevent first responders from quickly reaching visitors during an emergency.

Metro has previously warned visitors that a full park closure would be necessary during upcoming construction.

Why is Metro replacing Oxbow’s water system?

The park’s existing water system is more than 50 years old and has required frequent repairs, according to Metro.

The replacement is intended to improve access to drinking water while creating a system designed to serve the park for another 50 years.

Project manager Ben Hedstrom said the new infrastructure is also being placed in areas where Metro’s research indicates it is less likely to be affected by erosion over that period.

The work is part of a broader effort to address aging infrastructure and prepare Oxbow for long-term changes along the Sandy River. Metro has previously said erosion is an important consideration when planning future facilities and access at the park.

What will visitors miss during the fall closure?

While summer brings swimmers, paddlers, campers, and other visitors to Oxbow, the closure will also cover one of the park’s notable fall seasons.

Visitors typically come to the Sandy River to watch returning salmon and explore the park’s forest as mushrooms emerge during wetter weather. Metro has long highlighted fall salmon viewing as one of Oxbow’s distinctive seasonal experiences.

Oxbow encompasses about 800 acres in the Sandy River Gorge and includes miles of forest trails, river access, and camping. Metro has previously estimated that the park attracts about 230,000 visitors annually.

Travelers planning fall or early winter trips to the park should make other plans until the project is complete. Metro expects Oxbow Regional Park to reopen in January.