[1] The beach was established, along with a kayak launch point, in 2000, but it lacked signage and easy access.

[2][3][4] HAP's work consisted of cutting through basalt rock at the perimeter of the trail near the beach to improve access and adding an art component and signage.

The organization collaborated with Honoring our Rivers, who provided 30 excerpts of children's poetry about the Willamette River, and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, who provided Chinook Jargon with phonetics and English translation.

[1][8][9][10][11] In May 2018, the City of Portland announced the Poet's Beach program would continue but without lifeguards.

[12] In July 2022, Portland Parks & Recreation in partnership with HAP named Poet's Beach as one of six safer swimming areas on the Willamette River.