Human Access Project

Mission

Transforming Portland's relationship with the Willamette River.

Bottom Line

Help us do more!

Our goals include:
• Improving Willamette River edge spaces for recreation.
• Developing creative activation/programming around these spaces.
• Fostering environmental stewardship, community investment and connection with these spaces.
• Identifying and removing barriers that prevent people from feeling comfortable interacting with the river.

Achievements:
• Opening of Portland’s 1st and 2nd public beaches in 100 years (Poet’s Beach and Audrey McCall Beach).
• Partnering with Portland Parks & Recreation to name six safer swimming areas on the Willamette River.
• Converting the Kevin Duckworth Dock to a swimming dock.
• Removing over 360 tons of concrete from river edge spaces.
• Catalyzing the replacement of the Cathedral Park Dock.
• Removing 300 abandoned dock piles from Cathedral Park Beach.
• Bringing over 35,000 people to the river with events such as The Big Float and the Tuesday Splashdown at Audrey McCall Beach.
• Fundraising over $1,000,000 to support Oregon State University work to resolve the Ross Island Lagoon toxic algae bloom.

Quote

“People protect what they love.” - Jacques Cousteau

Incentives

You know HAP knows how to throw a party, and we're having another one in Spring 2027: a river Swimming Hole Cruise on the Portland Spirit. Give at any level below and come join us.

• Every donation above $25 gets a free pint of beer from Steeplejack Brewing.

• Every donation above $50 gets 2 free pints of beer from Steeplejack Brewing.

• Every donation above $100 gets 4 free pints of beer from Steeplejack Brewing.

• Every donation above $150 gets 1 ticket on the Portland Spirit for the HAP Swimming Hole Cruise (Cruise date TBD), including snacks, wine from Mahonia Vineyard and Steeplejack Brewing beer (cruise value $89), plus 2 free pints at any of Steeplejack's three pubs.

• Every donation above $250 gets 2 tickets on the Portland Spirit for the HAP Swimming Hole Cruise (Cruise date TBD), including snacks, wine from Mahonia Vineyard and Steeplejack Brewing beer, plus two rounds at any of Steeplejack's three pubs (4 pints).

• Every donation above $500 gets 4 tickets on the Portland Spirit for the HAP Swimming Hole Cruise (Cruise date TBD), including snacks, wine from Mahonia Vineyard and Steeplejack Brewing beer, plus a round at any of Steeplejack's three pubs (4 pints).

• Every donation above $1,000 gets 6 tickets on the Portland Spirit for the HAP Swimming Hole Cruise (Cruise date TBD), including snacks, wine from Mahonia Vineyard and Steeplejack Brewing beer, plus two rounds at any of Steeplejack's three pubs (12 pints).

Gift Matching

The first $20,000 in dontations will be matched by a generous board member!

Partner(s)

Subaru of Portland is promoting HAP's Give!Guide campaign to its customers and followers. Look for us on Big Golf Day (Nov. 4) and Big Timbers Day (Dec. 1).

Portland Spirit operates a fleet of four boats for year-round dining and sightseeing cruises — an experience unlike anything else in Portland.  

Steeplejack Brewing brews fresh craft beer and serves both classic and innovative pub fare out of three locations in Portland and Hillsboro. Their focus is on creating comfortable, family-friendly spaces where people can connect over good food and drinks.

John Miller’s Wildwood/Mahonia family of companies includes a diverse range of activities: Urban Planning and Development, Watersheds, Agriculture, and caring for the environment. Our companies share a common commitment to sustainability that began over 40 years ago and our definition of profit includes community and environmental benefits.

Voz is a worker-led organization that empowers diverse day laborers (including domestic workers) and immigrants to improve their working conditions and protect civil rights through leadership development, organizing, education and economic opportunity.

Friends of Outdoor School is our nonprofit partner this year. We are cross-promoting each other's campaigns, including a joint post on Big Garden Day (Nov. 18), because we both believe Oregonians belong outside.