BY TIMOTHY A. SCHULER
A recent study shows that Portland?s public docks nicely suit swimmers.
FROM THE DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE.
Early morning swims across the river. An annual river float and beach party. A full-moon, women-only swim known as ?Naked Goddess.? These are just some of the events organized by the Human Access Project to encourage people in Portland, Oregon, to dip their toes (and more) in the Willamette River. After all, says Willie Levenson, the ringleader (his official title) of the nonprofit organization, the river is the city?s largest public space and ought to be seen and used as such. Most recently, Levenson enlisted the help of MIG’s Portland office to explore the feasibility of repurposing downtown boat docks as places for sanctioned swimming. City planners, working with Mayer/Reed, already had evaluated downtown Portland for potential swimming areas but had focused mostly on beaches. Levenson saw the city?s docks as another, potentially cheaper point of access. Working practically pro bono (Levenson?s budget was $5,000), MIG chose five docks in Portland?s Central City and evaluated them for accessibility, safety, sun exposure, and water quality. Right away, MIG principal Lauren Schmitt, ASLA, saw the potential. ?There?s huge demand, this infrastructure already exists, these sites are publicly owned, and with very, very little lift?some ladders, some signs?there could be tremendous, very visible activity right at the...