Pride of North Portland
By John Gorman
As of this year, Portland’s finest fountains are no longer limited to the central downtown area.
A Portland fountain worth knowing about—beyond the downtown core.
Installed in 2006, the city’s McCoy Fountain is the first decorative municipal fountain in North Portland. Another of River City’s “guessing fountains,” this fun, interactive water display keeps visitors on their toes guessing which of the spouts will next erupt. The 710-square-foot oval fountain area, conveniently surrounded by seating ledges, recirculates nearly 8,000 gallons of water, spouts from the 35 jets pop up at random—at heights of up to six feet.
As part of McCoy Park, McCoy Fountain was commissioned by the Housing Authority of Portland. The combined goal of providing children of all ages a common area for enjoying the New Columbia housing development’s main street. It is also conveniently located across from a senior residential facility and near a neighborhood coffeehouse and grocery store, so it provides a refreshing welcome for residents and visitors at the same time.
A lasting neighborhood legacy to Portland civic leaders.
Both the fountain and the park are named in honor of Bill and Gladys McCoy, noted Portland political leaders famous for addressing minority and low-income issues in North Portland. Mrs. McCoy was the first African American to serve on the Portland School Board and as a Multnomah County commissioner. She was elected as county chairwoman in 1986. Bill McCoy was the first African American to be elected to the Oregon Legislature in 1973, his districting covered north and northeast Portland.
The McCoy Fountain is located at the corner of North Trenton Street and North Newman Avenue in Portland. Additional amenities include an outdoor basketball court, disabled-access restroom, paved paths, picnic tables, playground, statues/public art and a wading pool/water-play feature.
Park hours are from 5:00 a.m. to midnight daily.
Remember to expand your Portland fountain explorations beyond downtown. You just might be pleasantly surprised at what you will find.