According to John Gorman, Portland’s finest fountains are no longer limited to the central downtown area. There is a Portland fountain worth knowing about. And it is beyond the downtown core.
The McCoy Fountain was installed in 2006. This fountain is the first decorative municipal fountain in North Portland. This is another of River City’s “guessing fountains”. This delightful fountain keeps visitors on their toes guessing which of the spouts will next erupt with this fun, interactive water display. 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. What is amazing is that the spouts can reach at heights of up to six feet.
McCoy Fountain was commissioned by the Housing Authority of Portland as part of the McCoy Park. 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 situated across from a senior residential facility and near a neighborhood coffeehouse and grocery store. The McCoy Fountain provides a refreshing welcome for residents and tourists at the same time.
Also, the McCoy fountain is said to be a lasting neighborhood legacy to Portland civic leaders.
The fountain and the park are both named in honor of Bill and Gladys McCoy. Bill and Gladys McCoy were noted Portland political leaders famous for addressing minority and low-income issues in North Portland. Mrs. The first African American to serve on the Portland School Board and as a Multnomah County commissioner, McCoy 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 found at the corner of North Trenton Street and North Newman Avenue in Portland. There are also additional amenities in the fountain which includes an outdoor basketball court, disabled-access restroom, paved paths, picnic tables, playground, statues/public art and a wading pool/water-play feature.
