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A Case for a Destination Swim Dock at Milwaukie Bay Park
A Case for a Destination Swim Dock at Milwaukie Bay Park
Last July (2025) at a dinner with friends and neighbors, we went around the table answering a simple question: what do you wish Milwaukie had that it doesn’t today?
For me, the answer was straightforward: a destination swimming dock that provides a safe place to swim in the river. That response was partly personal, our family regularly seeks out the river in summer, but it was also shaped by experience, both locally and abroad.
Sellwood Riverfront Park swimming dock taken during a run at dawn
The closest place to Milwaukie where people can swim from a dock today is Sellwood Riverfront Park. Although located outside Milwaukie’s city limits, the dock at Sellwood Riverfront Park is well used and clearly valued. However, the design primarily serves a functional purpose as a single, long rectangular platform intended to provide access rather than shape a broader swimming experience.
By contrast, through firsthand experience swimming in lakes and public waterfronts in Denmark, I’ve seen how swimming docks can be treated as civic infrastructure rather than simple access points. Large, thoughtfully designed docks can define protected swimming areas in free public parks. These spaces are busy, inclusive, and intuitive, supporting everything from casual swimming to picnicking and social gathering. The design isn’t just ornamental, it directly improves safety, comfort, and how people use the water together. A few examples include the Infinite Bridge and Østre Søbad.
Milwaukie Bay Park already has the natural setting to support this kind of amenity. It is one of the city’s most important public assets, where the Willamette River meets downtown Milwaukie. Yet despite this, the park lacks a designated, safe place to swim from a dock.
The Infinite Bridge in Aarhus Denmark taken during a work trip
The Safety and Access Gap
The existing dock at Milwaukie Bay Park serves those launching and retrieving their boats. This is a popular ramp for boaters and because of the frequent boating activity, the dock is not a safe place to swim from due to the risk of conflict with boaters. Just to the north of the boat ramp, most people swim informally from a rocky shoreline that is largely outside of boat traffic. However, this area lacks clear boundaries, safe entry and exit points, and protection from jet skis and other watercraft.
A purpose-built swim dock in this location would clearly define a swimming zone between the dock and the shore, reduce conflicts with boats, and provide safe access in and out of the water. It would formalize an activity that already happens while significantly improving safety and usability.
Equity, Everyday Use, and Climate Resilience
Swimming in the river is one of the most affordable and equitable forms of recreation available. It’s free, requires little or no equipment, and is accessible across income levels. A swim dock would invite everyday use after work, on hot evenings, or on weekends, all without fees or scheduling requirements making the river a true community resource.
As summers grow hotter, access to natural cooling spaces like the river will become increasingly important for public health and well-being. A swim dock is a simple, durable, and low-maintenance way to meet that need, offering relief from heat while encouraging active outdoor recreation. By supporting frequent, accessible use, the dock helps signal that the river is now a safe, welcoming, and equitable destination for all members of the community.
Rendering of a swimming dock in Milwaukie Bay.
Supporting Downtown Vitality
Well-designed waterfront swimming areas attract people and encourage visitors to shop, eat, and explore nearby businesses. A destination swimming dock at Milwaukie Bay Park would increase foot traffic downtown, encourage longer park visits, and begin shaping Milwaukie into a community recognized for its river access, without commercializing the park itself. By drawing more visitors regularly, the dock would create opportunities for local businesses to thrive and support a vibrant, active waterfront. It would also help position Milwaukie as a destination for both residents and tourists, reinforcing the river as a central part of community life.
Modest Investment and High Impact
Compared to large capital projects, a swimming dock is a relatively modest investment that leverages an existing natural asset. Done well, it would deliver benefits across public health, equity, safety, and economic vitality. Most importantly, as a destination, the dock would encourage river use while drawing visitors who support the local economy.
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