Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will open six of the community’s popular outdoor pools for the season starting Thursday, June 20, 2024, and run through late summer. To help meet demand, all of the City’s outdoor pools have extended operating hours this year.
Three of PP&R’s indoor year-round pools are also open (Mt. Scott Community Center and Pool are closed for major renovations). The bureau is also developing a new, full-service North Portland Aquatic Center.
For information on pool and swim program schedules, hours, and locations, visit portland.gov/parks/recreation/swim-schedule.
Safe Swimming this summer and beyond – PP&R info page
PP&R has launched a new Safe Swim hub that will feature swim safety resources for indoor and outdoor swimmers. This website will be continuously updated as we craft, implement, and refine new aquatics procedures.
The Parks Levy makes it possible
The 2020 Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy) enables PP&R to provide critical operations, staffing, and programs – keeping swimming pools open and running.
“The Parks Local Option Levy has allowed PP&R to ramp up staffing that offers a wide variety of recreation and—vitally—more swim lessons,” notes Vibrant Communities Commissioner Dan Ryan. “The voter-approved Levy makes swim activities at all City pools possible, as well as the popular Summer Free For All program. I’m delighted to see the Levy continue to provide such a wonderful quality of life for Portlanders. Happy swimming, Portland!”
Other activities at PP&R pools include:
- Swim lessons
- Open-play swims
- Lap swimming
- Water fitness classes
- Summer swim team
- Junior Lifeguard and Junior Swim Instructor programs
Check the PP&R Aquatics website for more information.
Extended hours and dates to help meet community demand
Portland Parks & Recreation’s outdoor pools will have extended hours this summer to help meet community demand! In addition, Peninsula Pool and Creston Pool will remain open through September 6, 2024, to help Portland residents access swimming opportunities.
The last day for Grant, Ida B. Wells, Montavilla, Pier, and Sellwood Pools is Friday, August 23; the final sessions for Creston and Peninsula Pools are Friday, September 6.
For full schedules and information for all PP&R pools, please visit portland.gov/parks/recreation/pools.
Schools to Pools
Swimming is a fun way for kids to get exercise and build confidence, and it can also be a lifesaving skill. To help Portland children learn this critical ability, PP&R developed the new Schools to Pools program. Hundreds of second-grade students at some Portland Public Schools (PPS) enrolled in the PP&R program over the winter and spring sessions. Initially, more than 700 students from 14 schools participated, and the bureau plans to expand the program to nearly 3,000 students across the district. PP&R intends to establish Schools to Pools as a permanent offering. Contact your school administration if you are a PPS parent interested in your school taking part.
“The Parks Local Option Levy has allowed PP&R to ramp up staffing to offer a variety of recreation options, and importantly, more swim lessons, which we know are a crucial need,” notes Vibrant Communities Commissioner Dan Ryan. “The voter-approved Levy makes swim activities at all City pools possible, as well as the popular Summer Free For All. I’m delighted to see the Levy continue to provide such a wonderful quality of life for Portlanders.”
More swim lessons now, more coming
Portland Parks & Recreation is thrilled to offer more swim lessons this year. However, demand still outpaces available space, even with over 6,800 more lessons this summer (nearly 2,000 more than in 2022). Families should join waitlists if swim lessons are full. As more staff are hired and trained, the bureau will add more spots for people on the waitlists throughout the summer. Summer registration took place on May 16, with a second session opening for sign-up on June 13. Pool schedules for summer are posted online on the PP&R Aquatics website.
Stay cool with park splash pads and fountains
PP&R operates public splash pads and fountains so you and your family can stay cool outdoors across the city. Portland Parks & Recreation has extended the daily operating hours of splash pads to help Portlanders stay cool as our summers get hotter. You can find a list of PP&R water features to play in, plus hours, locations, and dates of activation at www.Portland.Gov/Splash
Access Discount Program
The Parks Levy has allowed PP&R to reduce cost as a barrier for all recreation programming, including swimming. City of Portland residents can register for the Access Discount Program to receive an ongoing discount of up to 90%. The pass is valid for 12 months from the date of enrollment. No proof of income is required.
You can use the Access Discount Program to reduce the price of the following:
- Admission to recreation centers and pools
- Classes, camps, swim lessons, and other registered activities
- Preschool and after-school programs
- Personal training
The income guideline below can help determine if the Access Discount Program is right for you. Choose an Access Discount of 25, 50, 75, or 90% ongoing discount based on your financial need. Those with a lower income or larger families may select a more significant discount. Access Discount information here: www.portland.gov/parks/discount.
Source: Portland Parks and Recreation