2021 recorded one of the busiest seasons for Port-owned recreational properties to date. Waterfront Manager Daryl Stafford attributes this partly to continued high use of outdoor facilities by residents and metro-area day trip visitors as the pandemic continued.

As reported in the Port’s 2021 Waterfront Annual Report, Stafford noted that while the number of kite, SUP, and windsurfing rentals and lessons were flat or down slightly compared to the previous year, there was a notable increase in “wingers and foilers,” the Gorge’s newest wind sports.

Increased usage also brought issues of garbage, off-leash dogs, parking scarcity, restroom sanitation and water safety to light. A staffing shortage for summer help was problematic for most of these issues.

With the busy season also came a sharper focus on waterfront safety. The tragic drowning death of a young girl in Nichols Basin occurred on a very busy day on the waterfront, not far from the beach and from family members. This followed the drownings last year of two members of an out-of-town church group near the Marina Beach. The Port of Hood River has formed a new committee to focus on waterfront safety and sought the input of waterfront recreation safety expert consultants. Additional signage, life jacket stations, public information and warning messages using universal symbology are some of the measures being taken to address these hazards.

In related waterfront news, a $35,000 grant was received from Travel Oregon for construction of a new rigging area at the Hook, increased sanitation facilities, and safety signage at the waterfront.

The Port has issued a solicitation to bid on a Hood River Marina boat launch float and ramp project that will replace two dock floats followed by ramp upgrades. The project is funded in part by an Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) grant.

A record number of Event Site passes were sold in 2021 with revenue up 34% compared to the pre-pandemic summer of 2019. To read more about the 2021 waterfront season, visit the Waterfront Recreation homepage at portofhoodriver.com/waterfront-recreation.