History

Community leaders in Sheridan, Willamina, McMinnville, Lafayette, Dayton, and Yamhill County are interested in improving river access. 

Tourism entities at the local, regional, and state levels with the capacity to convene partners and provide funding came on board in fall of 2023. They helped form a steering committee of community leaders and organize public meetings to hear feedback about improving recreational opportunities on these waterways.

This steering committee met between November 2023 and July 2024, leading to the creation of a Yamhill Rivers Access Strategy Analysis in summer 2024. This plan is the first step in the effort to identify priority locations that should be developed to provide more and better river access. Selection of a site, however, does not necessarily mean that it is being recommended for boat ramps, as public river access is provided through various activities, including viewing the riparian corridor and associated wildlife, shore casting, and sitting along the banks and watching the river.

During this period, the steering committee also applied to receive technical assistance from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) and was successful in a competitive pool of applicants. Beginning in fall 2024, the Cities of Sheridan and Willamina, supported by members of the steering committee and other community leaders, began working with two dedicated NPS-RTCA team members to continue the strategic planning of improved access to the Yamhill Rivers.

The steering committee conducted site visits with partners in September 2025 and a partner workshop in September 2026 to inform the creation of a concept plan. The plan is expected to be completed in 2027.