Clackamas County Office Of Tourism Funds Indigenous Art Installations Along Clackamas River
Grant supports permanent sculptures by Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde artist, celebrating Indigenous heritage at two Clackamas County Parks
The Clackamas County Office of Tourism (d.b.a. Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory), the entity responsible for managing and marketing Clackamas County as a tourism destination, awarded a $56,699 grant through its Strategic Investment Grant Program to the Clackamas River Basin Council (CRBC) to fund two permanent Indigenous art sculptures along the Clackamas River. Additional funding to install these pieces came from Clackamas County’s Sunrise Community Coalition and the Drinking Water Provider Partnership distributed through the US Forest Service.
The sculptures, created by Bobby Mercier, a traditional carver and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, will be installed at Milo McIver State Park outside of Estacada, OR and have been installed Barton Park, a Clackamas County Park located about six miles downriver from Milo. A third sculpture was secured through separate funding, and is located further downriver at Riverside Park. The sculptures are accompanied by interpretive panels sharing cultural and ecological content about the Clackamas River watershed, with graphics designed by Chanti Mañon of Bury My Art, whose work focuses on creating diverse representation of Indigenous peoples.
The project supports the Clackamas County Office of Tourism’s guiding principles, including a focus on culture and heritage in the region, by creating welcoming, inclusive park experiences and recognizing the Indigenous communities who have stewarded the Clackamas watershed since time immemorial. The sculptures are expected to engage and attract Tribal communities, recreationists, local residents, and visitors around Traditional Indigenous art, and spark conversations about inclusive outdoor experiences and watershed protection from cultural and environmental perspectives.
“This grant reflects our commitment to celebrating the cultures that have shaped Clackamas County since time immemorial,” said Lizzie Keenan, executive director of the Clackamas County Office of Tourism. “These sculptures give visitors and residents a deeper connection to the Clackamas River, to the original art that existed on the river banks many generations ago, and to the communities who have always called it home.”
The Clackamas River is the most visited water body in Clackamas County, drawing 76% of those who recreate on the county’s waterways. While angling remains the most popular activity, visitors also come for hiking, boating, scenic views, and cultural experiences. Access to online information about water-based recreation ranks among the top factors people consider when deciding where to visit. CRBC will feature the sculptures and their cultural context on the Clackamas Water Trail website.
“Indigenous communities have cared for the Clackamas River watershed for generations,” said Mary Logalbo, executive director of the Clackamas River Basin Council. “These sculptures restore a visible connection between the Clackamas River and the people who have always cared for it with traditional artwork once found throughout the Basin, and they invite everyone who visits these parks to understand that rich history and recognize the vital role Tribal communities continue to play today.”
The project comes at a time when Native American tourism is on the rise, offering Clackamas County an opportunity to stand out as a destination that reflects inclusive values while honoring the region’s Indigenous heritage.
“Traditional artwork once lined the banks of the Clackamas River, but few pieces remain today,” said Bobby Mercier, traditional carver and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. “Bringing these sculptures back to Milo McIver State Park, Barton Park, and Riverside Park reconnects the river to that history and keeps our traditions visible for the people who live here and visitors alike.”
A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony was held at Riverside Park on August 12, 2026 to commemorate the installation of the sculpture called “The Headman.” Representatives from the Clackamas County Office of Tourism and Clackamas River Basin Council attended alongside other community organizations and members. Artist Bobby Mercier and The Agency Creek Singers honored the occasion with a traditional Indigenous drum and song performance. The sculpture at Barton Park was also recently installed this summer, while the sculpture at Milo McIver State Park is set to be installed by mid-September.
