WILLAMETTE RIVER ADVOCACY

 

-Free swimming lessons from Black Swimming Initiative

 

Human Access Project (HAP) feels a grand opening party is important to bring attention to how much the river edge of the beach has changed. This party is an invitation to St. Johns to celebrate the new dock and beach. HAP anticipates St. Johns, in time, will turn into a river recreation playground - very likely this summer. This party represents a milestone moment of this change for St. Johns, North Portland and the city as a whole.

 

Human Access Project has been working on improving the recreational value of Cathedral Park Beach since 2021.

 

In 2021 HAP recruited 100 volunteers to remove 25 tons of concrete and rubble from the North side of the Cathedral Park Beach. 

In 2022 HAP received an ARPA grant of $300k. We negotiated with Portland Parks and Recreation to use this money to replace the Cathedral Park Dock which is now in the process of being installed. The total cost of the dock is $900k. HAP catalyzed the dock replacement. The dock will have swim ladders and will be elevated by pontoons to improve water circulation inside of the dock.

 

In 2023 HAP recruited 150 volunteers to remove 125 tons of concrete and rubble from the South side of the dock. We had divers come out to look for trash inside the dock. The result of removing the concrete on the south side of the dock is that there is a new South Beach at the park where people can hang out, walk their dogs etc.

 

We are actively working on pulling permits to remove derelict pilings from the beach which we hope to do this summer in September. We foresee continuing to be involved in upgrading and stewarding the river experience at Cathedral Park.