duck-worthy dock to get new name
convention center dock to be renamed for late trail blazers great
portland, ore. – the portland city council announced today that it will convene a hearing to honor late trail blazers great kevin duckworth by officially renaming the “l” shaped dock adjacent to the floating portion of vera katz eastbank esplanade.
On january 22nd, at 2:00 p.m. At city hall (1221 sw 4th), a public hearing will be held to officially designate the kevin j. Duckworth memorial dock. Testimony will be taken on behalf of duckworth, who passed away on august 25 and left a legacy of community involvement, and passion for the outdoors.
“kevin duckworth's family, friends and fans knew him to be a hardworking and genuinely nice guy who loved the outdoors and fishing. It's more than appropriate that we name the dock on the eastbank esplanade in his honor,” said portland mayor tom potter. “the dock represents a legacy of hardworking men and women, a culture of community and a love for the water. There could be no more fitting memorial.”
mayor potter and portland parks commissioner dan saltzman wished to memorialize mr. Duckworth’s place in portland’s history by naming a prominent fishing spot after him. What better location, they determined, than this popular fishing location in the heart of downtown portland, in the shadow of the rose quarter.
Mayor potter and commissioner saltzman submitted a request to the portland parks and recreation naming committee that the currently named “convention center dock” be renamed the kevin j. Duckworth memorial dock.
As stipulated by the council-approved naming policy, a letter was sent to the kerns neighborhood association. The committee, comprised of citizens and city staff, reviewed the request and approved it.
“among the many tributes to memorialize kevin, this might be the honor he would have been the most excited about,” trail blazers president larry miller said, “it celebrates his love of portland, the trail blazers and the outdoors. We are honored that the city of portland has recognized kevin with such a perfect tribute.”
a member of the trail blazers from 1986-93, duckworth remained in the portland area after his 11-year nba career ended. An avid fisherman & outdoorsman, and a skilled carpenter, duckworth served a heritage ambassador for the trail blazers at the time of his death.
“this is a wonderful way to memorialize kevin and the work he performed on behalf of the portland trail blazers.” saltzman said. “i cheered on kevin and all the blazers during the ‘90s and was saddened, like many portlanders, at his passing this summer. Naming this popular fishing spot after him is a fitting tribute to a wonderful member of the portland community.”
duckworth remains the 10th leading scorer (7,188) and rebounder (3,327) in trail blazers history, compiling averages of 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 527 games with portland.
Fans interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the kevin duckworth memorial scholarship fund should send their contributions directly:
Oregon community foundation
kevin duckworth scholarship fund
1221 sw yamhill st., suite 100
portland, or 97205
- trailblazers.com -
