Stay cool for FREE at several PP&R community centers

POSTED AUGUST 2, 2017

(Portland, OR) –

Select centers and hours only; see list. PP&R also offers swimming pools, park fountains and splash pads, Poet’s Beach on the Willamette

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is providing additional citywide opportunities to stay cool during the heat wave. Use the following list to find fun activities and cool places to refresh yourself this week.

FREE Communtiy Center Activities
The public is welcome to visit the following air-conditioned PP&R community centers to refresh in the lobby areas as capacity allows at any time. Please note that PP&R summer camps will be given priority for community center space. Additionally, these specific community centers below are offering even more opportunities to stay cool.

SAFETY TIPS AND OTHER OPTIONS TO STAY COOL

PP&R offers you the following tips for a safe summer, PP&R pool and splash pad/fountain information, and Poet’s Beach hours and info below.

• Stay hydrated. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day – at least 8 oz. each, and drink more if you are working, playing or exercising.
• Many surfaces found in parks or elsewhere in the city may be hot. These include asphalt, concrete, plastic, metal where the sun is shining, may be hot.  Parents should use care when supervising children on play structures, park benches, paths, and elsewhere
• Sleep well. Rest is important to the daily recovery of muscles and your body and brain function.
• Choose food wisely. A sugar rush is usually followed by sugar burnout, about 30 minutes later. Instead, choose whole food proteins, healthy fats, and natural sources of carbohydrates.
• Don’t burn! Remember to pack and USE sunscreen. Apply it frequently, and reapply after swimming.
• Cooling centers: people in need of heat relief are encouraged to visit 211info.org or to call 211 for the locations of cooling centers in your area. Other places to get out of the heat include Portland Parks & Recreation Community Centers, libraries, shopping malls, and nonprofit organizations.
• Our H20 is NOT too low: The Portland Water Bureau assures us that our City’s current water use is normal for this time of year. The Bull Run reservoirs have plenty of water to meet the higher summer demand that comes with hot weather. Anyone with questions can call the Portland Water Bureau Water Line at 503-823-7525.

KEEP COOL IN A PP&R POOL

PP&R pools offer open play swims, water exercise classes, junior lifeguard training, junior swim training, summer swim teams, and special events. Free swims are offered through August 25, at pools across Portland, though during the heat wave, there may be a wait time at various pools due to high demand. For more information on how to register for swimming lessons or participate in other summer activities, contact the pool in your area or the Aquatics Administration Office at 503-823-5130.

Pool schedules and info are available at portlandoregon.gov/parks/38284

• Columbia Pool, 7701 N Chautauqua Blvd, (503) 823-3669
• East Portland Pool, 740 SE 106th Avenue, (503) 823-3450
• Matt Dishman Pool, 77 NE Knott Street, (503) 823-3673
• Mt. Scott Pool, 5530 SE 72nd Avenue, (503) 823-3183
• Southwest Pool, 6820 SW 45th Avenue, (503) 823-2840

SPLASH PADS, FOUNTAINS, and POET’S BEACH

Portland Parks & Recreation's splash pads and fountains around the city are open to help you stay cool! Cool off through the end of September. Splash pad hours are 11 am to 9 pm; fountain hours mirror park hours. What’s the difference? Fountains have chlorination and recirculate water; while water in splash pads drains away – like running through the sprinklers. Our list is also available online at portlandoregon.gov/parks/splashin English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Somali, and Vietnamese.

FOUNTAINS YOU CAN PLAY IN
Note: Fountains are great for playing in, but the water is not for drinking! Like a swimming pool, fountains recirculate treated water. Please help us keep the fountains clean for all to enjoy.

• Dawson Park, N Stanton Street and Williams Avenue
• Director Park, 815 SW Park Avenue 
• Holladay Park, NE 11th Avenue and Holladay Street
• Jamison Square, 810 NW 11th Avenue 
• Stark Street Island Park’s Rose Pedal Fountain, SE 106th Avenue and Stark Street
• Waterfront Park’s Bill Naito Legacy Fountain, by Saturday Market, near the Burnside Bridge
• Waterfront Park’s Salmon Springs Fountain, Naito Parkway between SW Harrison Street and NW Glisan

PARK SPLASH PADS

• Columbia Park and Annex, N Lombard Street and Woolsey Avenue
• Earl Boyles Park, east of SE 107th Avenue and Francis Street (UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE, MAY BE CLOSED FOR REPAIRS)
• Elizabeth Caruthers Park, 3508 SW Moody Avenue
• Essex Park, SE 79th Avenue and Center Street  
• Farragut Park, Kerby Avenue and Farragut Street  
• Grant Park, NE 33rd Avenue and US Grant Place
• Irving Park, NE 7th Avenue and Fremont Street
• Kenton Park, 8417 N Brandon Avenue
• K^hunamokwst Park, 5200 NE Alberta Street
• McCoy Park, N Trenton Street and Newman Avenue 
• Northgate Park, N Geneva Avenue and Fessenden Street
• Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way
• Pier Park, N Lombard Street and Bruce Avenue
• Raymond Park, SE 118th Avenue and Raymond Street
• Woodlawn Park, NE 13th Avenue and Dekum Street

POET’S BEACH

• The new Poet’s Beach on the Willamette Riveris open daily, staffed with river lifeguards 11am-7pm (lifeguard hours are subject to change).

CANCELATIONS OF PP&R CLASSES, CAMPS, AND/OR OTHER ACTIVITIES

All cancelations will be posted on thePP&R Inclement Weather page.

# # #