Hess Creek Preserve Newberg, Oregon
Creating more than 50 acres of natural habitat and public space, the restoration of Hess Creek Preserve protects the community from failing infrastructure while balancing human recreation with ecological health. Removal of two dams and invasive species combined with the addition of two bridges, unique earth art features, and a looped trail system are part of this Otak designed and managed project that celebrates the restored stream corridor.
Restoring a Natural Area that Blends Art, Ecology, and Education
Hess Creek is a tributary of the Willamette River that drains runoff from the slopes of the Chehalem Mountains. For the community of Newberg, Oregon, two small dams on the waterway presented an ongoing liability for property owners with the potential for failure. Plans to remove the dams and develop a publicly accessible park and natural habitat in their place took shape. The channels would also be re-graded to activate the natural floodplain and improve resilience during storm events. The design includes a looped trail system, bridges, and earth-themed art and educational installations. Restoration work began with the removal of invasive species and revegetation across 36 acres of riparian forest and reestablishing 10 acres of oak savannah, a once common native planting in the Willamette Valley that is now rare due to urbanization. These improved areas will support habitat for a variety of local birds, mammals, and aquatic organisms. This rare combination of private land, public access, and multi-agency support results in a community asset that blends ecology, education, and recreation.
The design of Hess Creek Preserve includes multiple features that share a message on time and nature, and their relationship with the area’s history. While otherwise guided by the natural topography, an Allèe provides a linear point of reference, leading to an overlook that marks where Hess Creek flows freely following dam removal. Visitors also encounter a landscape-scale installation functioning as a different kind of sundial. A 42-inch diameter Douglas fir serves as the gnomon, interacting with several earth art features using the terrain, plants, and stonework. Two vantage points, one at the base of the tree and another uphill, provide distinct experiences with the tree’s shadow as the sun’s position changes over the course of the year.
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