In Portland, Oregon, there exists a mysterious island often compared to the legendary Jurassic Park, yet its presence remains largely unknown to many due to restricted access.
Nestled in the heart of the Willamette River, Ross Island is part of a quartet of islands located within the city’s bounds.
Access to Ross Island has been traditionally limited, primarily because of its status as private property and its use for industrial purposes. The island has long been associated with the concrete and asphalt operations of Robert B Pamplin Jr.’s company.
However, a shift is underway. In 2007, Pamplin generously donated a significant portion—45 acres—of the island to the city. This was followed by the Port of Portland’s contribution in 2015, when they handed over the land under their jurisdiction.
This transformation in ownership has sparked interest and questions about recreational possibilities, especially since the island is a sanctuary for over 50 bird species.
“It’s reminiscent of Jurassic Park,” remarked Candice Jimenez, a local Portlander and member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, after her recent visit.
Her tribe is one of many indigenous communities which have used the island to gather while traversing the river, as well as travel, fishing and trade.
‘Because Ross Island was built on profit and it’s now slowly returning to its natural ways of being. It’s trying to thrive,’ she told the Oregonian.
An island in Portland, Oregon that draws comparisons to Jurassic Park remains a mystery to many, as few are allowed to ever visit
Ross Island is at the center of a four island cluster running right through the northwestern city’s Willamette River
The city is trying to clean up sediments of the river that have been contaminated and restoring its landscape which had decayed due to mining.
The mining is said to have created an 120-foot deep lagoon which has hollowed out the island so much experts don’t know how large it was before mining began.
Jimenez wants the river cleaned up to support more fishing and has expressed concern over private investors using the lagoon as a dumping ground while cleaning up the island.
‘My concern is whether this proposal is rooted in restoration and long-term community benefit, or whether restoration is being used to justify a disposal solution that benefits a smaller set of private interests,’ she said.
In addition, the state of Oregon has had to fine one of the companies mining it $14 million for failing to complete restoration work.
Toxic algae has bloomed and spread to the river after it became stagnant in the lagoon.
Other residents have complained of wrecked and abandoned boats permanently anchored nearby.
A local environmental group has lobbied for the state to take over the reclamation project, KPTV reported.
It has long kept residents from visiting, in part due to its privatized ownership and industry uses, including the concrete and asphalt company owned by Robert B Pamplin Jr
That may be changing, as Pamplin donated at least 45 acres of the island to the city in 2007 and the Port of Portland – which controls marine activities – donated the land it owns in 2015
‘It’s a unique ecological place or environment because it’s a site of shallow water habitat that is critical for a lot of salmon, lamprey, and birds like bald eagles, great blue herons, kingfishers,’ said Mark Lear of The City Club of Portland.
‘And it’s really at risk right now because of lack of follow-through and cleanups by the mining opportunity that’s been occurring for decades,’ Lear added.
Local investors say that there is a long-term plan to restore the island and turn it into a wildlife preserve but no concrete details or funding solutions exist.
Despite all the controversy, the island’s progress has show beauty to those able to see it.
Since mining ended in 2019, residents nearby have even seen a bald eagle build a nest as part of nature’s reclamation of the island.
Environmentalist Mike Houck praised the island’s beauty on a recent expedition.
‘It’s impossible to believe you’re in the middle of the city of Portland when you’re back here,’ Houck said. ‘It’s magical.’
