Summer Swim in Lloyd
Portland Summers are getting hotter. There’s no denying it. Each year, as the temperature rises beyond the norm, our city is adjusting to the newfound heat dome that comes for us Pacific Northwesterners every July and August. Many folks plug in a window AC or stay inside with the curtains drawn until the dreaded sun sets and the cool PDX night takes over. Thankfully, Hassalo is built to stay cool and comfortable, but sometimes, you just need a splash of cold water to really refresh an overly heated body. Thankfully, in our neighborhood, there’s a remedy for the hot weather, and you don’t even have to travel far to find some reprieve: every Wednesday evening starting at 5 pm to sunset, Eco-Lloyd District hosts the popular Summer Swim at Duckworth Dock, an 8 minute bike ride, or 15 minute walk from your front door.
Duckworth Dock
The unlikely & newfound hot attraction was built nearly 20 years ago on the Willamette river’s east side esplanade, just south of the Steel bridge, originally intended for a downtown water taxi. When the water taxi halted service, the dock became a problematic spot for the east side of the river. Vacancy on the water access point caused vandalism, rogue boat storage, and crime. In 2009, the dock was named after Portland Trail Blazer’s late center Kevin Duckworth as a memorial to the beloved PDX athlete. The new name didn’t spark much more action around the area until 2016 when the Human Access Project claimed the dock as a recreation point for the city’s east side population. From there, Duckworth Dock was designated an official recreation spot and Portland Parks and Recreation took over it’s stewardship in 2024. Also in 2024, Eco-Lloyd District began their Summer Swim event at the docks, prompting the city to add bike racks, and eight swim ladders on the dock’s sides as the event grew in popularity.
Summer Swims
Eco-Lloyd District and Hassalo on Eighth are familiar friends, so when the Summer Swim event began a few years ago, it was exciting to promote but attendance was ho-hum. Enticing people to the low trafficked space was going to take some time (the dock is below and runs parallel to I5, but from the water, the freeway above feels like miles away). Now in 2026, the word has gotten out and Wednesday evenings on Duckworth Dock are packed with folks from all over the neighborhood enjoying the water, mingling, and turning the once desolate area into PDX’s new affordable summer destination. Emphasis on affordable, since costs for food, gas, and recreation are sky rocketing, the Summer Swim doesn’t charge a fee. Its not only a free local swim spot, but also a literal party. Crowds began coming once Eco-Lloyd hired Portland’s mobile DJ, Popcart PDX to spin tracks from the dock during swim hours. Shorty’s Hot Dogs are also a presence, serving up dogs and brawts for swimmers, making it even easier to plan your evening with food options during dinner hours. The absolute cherry on top of a curated PDX summer evening is the ‘Duckworth Double Sunset’ that happens from this particular point on the river: the sun reflects off the US Bankcorp Tower, and creates a whimsical casting of light from this specific vantage point on the water.
Safety First
The Willamette River has not always been the most pristine urban body of water, but in recent years, the city has made efforts to curb pollution and bring water safety levels back up to standard. In 2011, the city completed a massive sewage overhaul, eliminating all combined sewer overflows, ensuring water cleanliness. During the warm months, there is still risk of dangerous algae blooms in the water, which can be fatal to pets and children, but Portland issues advisories when the threat is in effect, and Summer Swims are canceled accordingly. Though the Summer Swims are popular and crowded, there is no registered lifeguard on duty. Keep in mind that if you are not a strong swimmer, it’s best to go with a buddy and wear a life jacket for protection. The U-shape of Duckworth Dock creates a barrier from boat traffic and increases safety of the swimmers surrounding it, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry on the water.
Portland may be warming up, but Portlanders will always find a way to make the best of it, usually by utilizing the natural beauty of the city to find some shade and cool off. Hassalo sits on the central eastside of Portland, so access to the water, and bridges to downtown are nearby, making it a convenient weeknight event people can rely on to cool down, enjoy local music, and witness an unforgettable sunset. Just another reason to love living at the center of the city- especially from Duckworth Dock, you can find a clever escape from the grind, and feel like you’re away from it all without having to leave the city limits.