Organization based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Human Access Project (HAP ) is an organization based in Portland, Oregon , whose mission is "transforming Portland's relationship with the Willamette River ".[ 1] [ 2] The organization's vision is a city in love with its river.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] HAP was founded by Willie Levenson, whose official title is the organization's Ringleader,[ 2] is a tireless and effective advocate for swimming in the Willamette River[ 5] he brings his love of water to his work as an activist for recreational access to the Willamette River in Portland.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9]
HAP spearheaded the creation of the River Hugger Swim Team,[ 1] [ 10] Audrey McCall Beach and Poet's Beach ,[ 11] [ 12] [ 13] the opening of the Kevin Duckworth Memorial Dock for swimming, fishing and non-motorized boating,[ 14] and organizes events such as the Big Float , Mayoral Swim, Duckworth Wednesday's, and the Valentine's Dip.[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] [ 18] [ 19]
^ a b "Urban Swimming: Portland's Willamette River" . National Geographic Society Newsroom . August 9, 2014. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ a b c Hanson, Zella (2022-07-07). "The Big Float is throwing itself a going-away party on the Willamette River" . The Oregonian . Archived from the original on 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2023-07-30 .
^ Ogle, Wesleigh (2019-07-10). "The Big Float 9 kicks off summer on the Willamette River" . KATU . Archived from the original on 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2020-12-19 .
^ "Project at Ross Island could help stop the Willamette River from turning green" . KGW . September 6, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-09-16 .
^ "Portland's Fiercest Advocate for Swimming in the Willamette River Is Declaring War on Algae" . Willamette Week . 2023-08-23. Archived from the original on 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2023-09-16 .
^ Westling, Morgan (September 29, 2020). "Portland's Newest Swimming Hole Is Ready for Your Diving Pleasure" . Portland Monthly . Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ Ross, Erin (August 16, 2018). "Fixing The Willamette's Toxic Algae Problem Could Start At Ross Island" . Oregon Public Broadcasting . Archived from the original on 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2020-12-21 .
^ Learn, Scott (2012-07-26). "Big Float organizer: Willamette River is Portland's overlooked 'gigantic swimming pool' " . The Oregonian . Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22 .
^ "Help Us Design a Wonderful Waterfront" . Sera Architects . 2014-09-24. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01 .
^ "Portland river once shunned by swimmers enjoys rapid renaissance" . Christian Science Monitor . 2017-07-14. ISSN 0882-7729 . Archived from the original on 2018-06-25. Retrieved 2020-12-21 .
^ Nagle, Brendan (July 23, 2019). "A New Swimmable, Loungeable Beach Is Open Under the Hawthorne Bridge" . Portland Monthly . Archived from the original on 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2019-09-23 .
^ "Dozens of Catlin Gabel students help cleanup Poet's Beach" . KPTV.com . June 6, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2019-09-23 .
^ Theen, Andrew (2015-06-25). "The Central Question: After years of work, Willie Levenson sees advocacy turn to action" . The Oregonian . Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01 .
^ "Where We Live: Accessing the Willamette River" . KOIN. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ Gallivan, Joseph (July 13, 2019). "Big Float leader unconcerned by shrinkage" . Portland Tribune . Archived from the original on 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2019-09-23 .
^ Sievert, Hannah (July 9, 2019). "Taking the plunge" . Portland Business Journal . Archived from the original on 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2020-04-11 .
^ "Human Access Project dives into Willamette to celebrate winter milestone" . KATU . 2018-02-14. Archived from the original on 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2019-09-23 .
^ "Duckworth Summer Wednesdays brings 'soul' of the city to the Willamette" . KOIN.com . 2023-07-12. Archived from the original on 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2023-07-28 .
^ Commissioner Mingus Mapps speaks at Duckworth Dock , archived from the original on 2023-07-28, retrieved 2023-07-28