A CITY IN LOVE WITH ITS RIVER

People protect what they love. We are on a mission to transform Portland’s relationship with the Willamette River, from a neglected water body to a beloved public space and natural treasure.

Human Access Project (HAP) is reconnecting Portlanders with their river, expanding public access to the Willamette, advocating for improved water quality, and facilitating positive experiences at the river’s edge.

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HAP’s work is cultural change

Since 2010, we have:

Brought more than 50,000 people to the river through creative events like The Big Float and Tuesday Splashdowns at Audrey McCall Beach.
Helped establish Portland’s first and second public beaches in a century — Poet’s and Audrey McCall Beach.
Partnered with Portland Parks & Recreation to designate six safer swimming areas along the Willamette.
Removed hundreds of tons of concrete, riprap, and derelict pilings, creating new beaches such as Cathedral Park and Duckworth Beach.
Converted the Kevin Duckworth Dock from motorized to non-motorized use, transforming it into a safer space for swimmers and anglers.
Improved swimming access and safety by adding ladders, stairways, and seasonal lifeguards at key river sites.
Spearheaded a science-based solution to the Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) crisis at Ross Island.