This short new boardwalk leads from Monteith Riverpark to the brush at the confluence of the Calapooia and Willamette rivers.
A week ago Monday, on June 17, the construction fencing around Monteith Riverpark had disappeared, and I took that as an opportunity to make a quick tour of the reconstructed park.
Parts of the park were still unfinished and the construction fencing was back up the following day.
Monteith has been closed for reconstruction since March 2023. I asked Albany city officials when the public can once again visit the park. They said the grand opening will be July 4, so apparently not until then.
Reconstruction of Monteith Riverpark, including a new stage, playground and children’s splash pad, was the centerpiece of Albany’s urban renewal Waterfront Project, which cost approximately $21.5 million.
Here are some of the photos I took on June 17.
The children’s splash pad. In the background, the park’s remodeled restroom.
The playground had yet to receive the final color layer over its black ground covering.
This is the rebuilt Willamette River overlook near the former boat dock. The dock was abandoned long ago when it silted in.
It was a cool and overcast day when I walked the bike through the park on June 17, 2024.
Not until I ended my walk-through did I see signs saying the park was still officially closed.
21.5 million dollars, 21.5 ‘freakin’ million dollars… That’s all I can muster as I shake my head.
I’m coming to! Nice view of the bathroom from the 20 plus million dollar playground. Also, I didn’t know a short stretch of boardwalk to the riverside was so expensive.
Cement sure as heck must cost a lot nowadays! Maybe the city fathers and mothers can get Trump to come to Albany for a campaign speech on the stage! He loves spending other people’s money, too, while ignoring the plight of the common people. I gotta go take a nap rather than dwell on this.
This looks wonderful! So much better, and using a valuable asset , the river, in a way that benefits everyone.
Thank you for the photos.
Looks great. What a wonderful addition for the city and waterfront district.
Hmm, wonder where everyone is supposed to park. This wonderful design took away 25 spaces in front of the building and 11 spaces from the park area.
Civil projects like this are very expensive and I want to thank the city engineers and planners for laboring over this project for us. The city of Albany has got a good deal out of some hard working contractors who took up this job to revitalize our city landscape.
Downtown Albany needs a parking garage! At least in my opinion. I know the expensive studies they’ve done say otherwise, but ask anyone that has served on jury duty or any courthouse business say differently. Parking garage makes the most sense. They could even charge parking…
Much like this waterfront project, a parking structure would be used once, twice, maybe a few times and then just be a waste of taxpayers money. Our money is more deserving projects that support the people in the community EVERY DAY! Try improving our streets and the rest of our crumbling, overextended infrastructure.
What is your suggested location for the soon to be Parking Garage?
1st and Broadalbin, where the Wells Fargo was. I believe it would be used every day except perhaps Sundays.
You want a parking garage? Move to Salem then. This is a SMALL town!
I can’t believe this either, all that money and for what? A place for kids? And is that the so called stage in the background? And to , just where are people to park, especially people that can’t walk too far.!
Thanks Hasso for your posts. Does anyone any more know how this park and River Rhythms started? It’s the 40th year of the concert series and a lot has changed in this park over many years. I’d like to give Dave Clark a big thanks for all he did for Albany Parks and Recreation. A nice tribute is deserved to Dave Clark
It looks lovely!! Can’t wait to have it reopen, and use the new space.
I do appreciate the improvements to the park, I also plan to use the park. I am still a bit gobsmacked at the 21.5 million dollar price tag.
Is it possible to get a breakdown of the costs? I can’t believe all 21 Million was spent on the improvements shown. There has to be something else. What’s missing?
Thanks Hasso, I always look forward to your posts.
What’s missing?
An increase in future property taxes resulting directly from this CARA “investment.”
CARA can’t justify this “public” development on the basis of a tax increment, so they (and Hasso) resort selling it on the basis of emotional reaction (it sure looks wonderful).
What a farce.
Yes, it is a farce.
My kiddos say it looks like a park for ken and barbie. Maybe that’s where the city got the plans? They said it is a park for people who don’t want to take care of their kiddos. Natural playgrounds cause little kiddos to get dirty then they need a bath and wash their clothes.
Oh that Children’s splash pad looks safe.
NOT!
YOU BETTER GET A GOOD LOOK WHEN IT’S NEW….I CAN SEE THE HOMELESS TENTS MOVING IN SHORTLY..ON JULY 5…
I hope the homeless people do move into the park. I’m rooting for that.
Oh Mary, bless your heart.
As a person who works downtown 5 days a week, I don’t have trouble finding parking ever. If I’m running late, I may have to park farther and walk more, but a parking garage is completely unnecessary.
What a horrible waste. Instead of removing trees and parking to put in cement, upgrade the bathroom, the picnic tables and put in another covered gathering space.
I also want to know who the job was contracted to develop. Were they local?