Event to briefly close Stewart Park bridge

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Stewart Park Drive Bridge, aka the “Green Bridge,” will close to all traffic for several hours Saturday, Aug. 24, to accommodate a special community dinner being organized by Thrive Umpqua.

The bridge that spans the South Umpqua River between Fir Grove and Stewart parks is expected to close to pedestrians and vehicle traffic from 2:30 to 9 p.m. that Saturday so the nonprofit can host the “Longest Table,” a free farm-to-table community dinner taking place on the bridge.

Thrive Umpqua, which is helping to build a healthier Umpqua Valley, expects to host up to 500 attendees from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at an outdoor catered dinner to celebrate community well-being and the culmination of Thrive’s “Love Your Neighborhood” campaign. The event will include acoustic music and facilitated table conversations, according to the community event permit application approved by City officials on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Upon arrival, guests will check in and be assigned to a seat at a table on the bridge. As dinner draws to a close, guests will be invited to an area where they can mingle and take part in interactive art activities with local artists including Jasmin Valencia and Jenn Reida, according to Thrive Umpqua Executive Director Jessica Hand.

Thrive is encouraging attendees to use active, alternative transportation such as walking, biking or carpooling if possible. Parking will be available on either side of the river in parking lots in Fir Grove and Stewart parks. The south end of Stewart Park Drive will be closed just past the Wooley Center and the entrance to Fir Grove Park parking lots.

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, Hand added. Thrive Umpqua committed to notify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Umpqua Valley Arts and Fir Grove Elementary School about the closure.

Thrive will supply portable toilets and 10 large trash cans. Security and parking support will be provided by Thrive Umpqua volunteers, said Hand.

Register or learn more about Thrive Umpqua’s Longest Table event.