Oswego Lake

Community Updates

7/2/25

Lower Millennium Plaza Park Hours for July 3-6

The City has finalized access hours for the public point at Lower Millennium Plaza Park, based on available staffing and the schedule of community events.

Park Access Details:

July 3, 2025: Lower Millennium Plaza Park closure begins at 9:00 p.m.
July 4, 2025: The area remains closed all day.
July 5, 2025: The area is open from approximately 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (dependent on staffing, may be subject to change)
July 6, 2025: The area is closed until approximately 8:00 p.m.

These hours have been thoughtfully set to ensure we have the necessary staffing to keep the park enjoyable for everyone, while also accommodating our vibrant schedule of community events.

We are expecting large crowds and requests for service from our first responders over the holiday weekend. If you plan to visit Oswego Lake, be sure to “Play it Safe” around the water and follow all Park and Marine Board rules, including intermittent park closures.

We look forward to welcoming you to our many Star Spangled Celebrations events. We hope everyone has a safe, fun, and happy Independence Day!

6/26/25

Closure for 4th of July Weekend

To manage public safety and limited City resources, access to Oswego Lake from Lower Millennium Plaza Park will be closed from the evening of July 3 through the morning of July 7 for public safety during holiday events on and around Oswego Lake during the holiday weekend.

Decisions to temporarily close public spaces are made to facilitate a safe and seamless experience for all and to ensure first responders can effectively respond to emergencies. The Independence Day weekend is already an "all hands-on deck" effort for City operations, prior to monitoring waterways. Our Police, Fire, Parks, and Public Works staff work diligently throughout the weekend to ensure everything runs smoothly and protect community wellbeing.

Since Judge Steele’s March decision granting public access to Oswego Lake, the City has worked quickly to facilitate safe public access. This included removing plaques, hiring a seasonal park ranger, removing an art installation to provide clear access, and adopting updates to park rules. We appreciate the community’s ongoing support as we facilitate our first summer of public lake access and are committed to ongoing collaboration and positive experiences for all.

We look forward to welcoming you to our many Star Spangled Celebrations events. We wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!

5/23/25

As we prepare for increased activity on our waterways and Oswego Lake this summer, our shared goal is to keep our Parks safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“Play it Safe” around water by following these safety tips:

Always wear a life jacket.
Never swim alone; always swim with a buddy.
Closely supervise children with constant, undistracted attention when near water.
Wade slowly and carefully in murky water that can hide hazards.
Remember that water can be dangerously cold, even when it’s hot outside.
Be aware of the water environment and understand the risks of different water bodies.
Jumping off the Dolphins/barrels at Roehr Park is dangerous and illegal.
Possession or consumption of alcohol is not allowed in any City Park.

Oswego Lake Entry and Swim Safety

The top safety rule to remember is do not swim outside the designated buoys. Staying within the swim zone (between the buoy line and the shoreline) helps protect all lake users.

As a reminder, other rules for accessing Oswego Lake at Lower Millennium Plaza Park include:

Swim buoys or life vests are required at all times when entering the Lake.
Use only the concrete platforms at Lower Millennium Plaza Park to enter or exit the Lake. Entry from Sundeleaf Plaza or Headlee Walkway is not allowed.
Access hours are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Only non-motorized watercraft are permitted. Approved watercraft include kayaks, paddleboards, and U.S. Coast Guard-approved inflatables, up to 18 feet long. Motorized equipment like jet skis, wave runners, kiteboards, or trolling motors are not allowed.

New Safety Staffing

We’re excited to announce more support to help ensure safety and compliance at Oswego Lake.

The City of Lake Oswego is hiring a seasonal Park Ranger who will enforce park rules for lake entry and exit and provide public education through October 31. This role will be on site for 10-hour shifts, Thursday through Sunday of each week. Shift times will vary throughout the summer season to align with changing daylight hours, with an emphasis on afternoon and evening coverage. The Ranger will be available to answer questions and help enforce safety procedures—ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
We are opening a temporary kiosk with free loaner life jackets and swim buoys, making required safety gear more accessible.

When the lake access monitor isn’t on duty, Park Rangers and Community Service Officers will be nearby and available to assist as needed. As always, if there is a life safety emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

4/28/25

As we head into the spring and summer months, the City of Lake Oswego has updated the Park Rules for entering Oswego Lake at Lower Millennium Plaza Park. These updates help ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for the community. Please take a moment to review the new guidelines:

Lake entry and exit is only allowed at the concrete platforms at Lower Millennium Plaza Park. Please do not use Sundeleaf Plaza or Headlee Walkway to enter or leave the Lake.
Lake access hours are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Only non-motorized watercraft are allowed at this access point. Acceptable vessels include kayaks, paddleboards, and inflatables approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, up to 18 feet long. Motorized vessels like jet skis, wave runners, kiteboards, and those with trolling motors are not permitted.
Swim buoys or life vests are required at all times while entering the Lake.
Do not leave personal belongings unattended in the park, including watercrafts, equipment, and other personal belongings.
Lake entry points may be temporarily closed as needed by the City for safety purposes, or to accommodate construction or special events.

Please note that violating these rules may result in a citation, denied access, or being asked to leave the Park.

As a reminder, the City of Lake Oswego manages lake access at Lower Millennium Plaza Park, including signage and park rules, in accordance with the Judge's ruling. The Oregon State Marine Board is responsible for ensuring safe recreational water use and enforcing specific rules for Oswego Lake. Please review the Oregon Marine Board rules before entering the Lake.

We are grateful for your help in keeping this a safe space for all. The City will continue to share updates about construction projects and any new guidance as it becomes available. Thank you for your ongoing support and input during this process.

4/15/25

Following Council Council direction under Resolution 25-18, the City Manager has adopted Park Rules related to boating and swimming from the Oswego Lake access point at Lower Millennium Plaza Park.

4/1/25

On March 31, 2025, City Council held a special meeting to discuss recent litigation regarding access to Oswego Lake. Thank you to the community for sharing your input to guide this important decision.

City Council voted not to pursue an appeal of the Clackamas County Circuit Court judgment related to public lake access from City park property. Council voted in favor of directing the City Manager to adopt City Park Rules and identify other actions available to the State, County, City, and Lake Corporation in managing public access.

We recognize there are questions from the community regarding how public lake access will be executed and overseen moving forward. The City of Lake Oswego remains responsible for Lower Millennium Plaza Park, and overseeing it as an entry point to the lake in light of the judgment. Other elements of water safety, maintenance and quality remain in the jurisdiction of our State, County, City and local partners.

We have addressed some frequently asked questions and will provide regular updates on our progress as we work with our government partners and community stakeholders on finding solutions. We are committed to working together to navigate this transition in a positive and productive manner.

FAQs – updated 4/28/25

Using the Lake

Who should I call if I have a safety concern?
If there is an life safety emergency, call 9-1-1. All other calls should be directed to the non-emergency line 503-635-0238 so they can be dispatched to the appropriate resource to respond.

Can I bring a motorized boat or trolling motor onto Lake Oswego through Lower Millennium Plaza Park?
Only non-motorized watercraft are allowed at this access point. Acceptable vessels include kayaks, paddleboards, and inflatables approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, up to 18 feet long. Motorized vessels like jet skis, wave runners, kiteboards, and those with trolling motors are not permitted.

Where can I park to access the Lake?
There is public street and City lots parking available throughout downtown Lake Oswego. Parking is not permitted at nearby shopping centers, private lots, or other restricted locations for those visiting the Park.

Oswego Lake Court Case & Ruling

Does Judge Steele’s ruling allow access to the lake via Millennium Plaza Park?
Yes. Judge Steele ruled that the City cannot prohibit entry into Oswego Lake from Lower Millennium Plaza Park.

What steps are being taken to facilitate access to Oswego Lake?
Following Council’s direction on March 31, 2025, the City Manager is proceeding with several steps to facilitate access to Oswego Lake. Park Rules were released on April 15, and updated signage is in place. Construction to remove an art installation at the entry point will begin in the coming weeks. Construction information will be shared when dates are finalized.

Who owns the Lake now?
Under phase one of the trial, the Oswego Lake water was deemed public, meaning the State of Oregon owns and manages the Lake in trust for the public, similar to the Willamette River. Lake Oswego Corporation remains the private owner of the beds and banks of Lakewood Bay.

Can the City alone address the impacts from Judge Steele’s ruling?
No. The State, County, City, and Lake Corporation each have unique responsibilities for safety, law enforcement, water quality, and lake maintenance.

Here is an overview of the jurisdiction of these entities:

The City of Lake Oswego is responsible for the regulating the public entry point at Lower Millennium Plaza Park, including signage and park rules.
The State of Oregon is the legal trustee of the water in Oswego Lake, responsible for maintaining water quality and ensuring safe use for recreation and fish habitat.
- The Oregon State Marine Board is responsible for setting in-water rules for recreation, such as boat navigation routes and safety requirements.
- The Department of Land Conservation and Development is responsible for issuing permits for water-related development.
- The Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for developing rules that protect water quality.
Lake Oswego Corporation and other private parties owns the beds and banks of Lakewood Bay and has historically assumed financial responsibility for monitoring the lake’s infrastructure and water quality.

What safety plans are in place to keep the Lake safe for all users?
State Marine Board rules govern public recreation on public waters, and there are rules specific to Oswego Lake. Oregon State Police and the Clackamas County Sherriff’s Department can enforce laws and rules on the water. The City is working collaboratively with our Police Department, Clackamas County Sherriff’s Department, State Marine Board, and the Lake Oswego Corporation to determine the best ways to keep the community safe.

There is still an appeal of the judgment from the Lake Corporation. Why is the City proceeding with certain actions?
On March 3, 2025, the Clackamas County Circuit Court released a judgment requiring the City of Lake Oswego to allow public access from an entry point at Lower Millennium Plaza Park. We respect the Lake Corporation’s decision to proceed with an appeal, however it does not change the City’s responsibility to proceed with the legal requirements to begin facilitating immediate access.