Portlanders Cool Down With Extended Wading Pool Hours

The city of roses is helping the public find a cool summer breeze with these helpful suggestions.

Waterfront Park, downtown Portland. Photos by Bonnie King

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portlanders can find relief from temperatures over 100 degrees today and tomorrow by taking refuge in their city's parks and pools.

From a shady walk in Forest Park to a picnic dinner under the trees in your neighborhood park, from a dip in a community pool to a splash in a spray fountain, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) offers many free or inexpensive opportunities to escape from the heat.

To help the public beat the summer heat, in addition to PP&R's twelve community pools, there are extended hours at wading pools for young children, as well as free spray features in the city's parks to help children have a safe and cool summer.

For those that prefer parks and trails to pools, there are also thousands of shade-providing trees and over 10,000 acres of parks and natural areas where Portlanders can catch a breeze.

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR THE HEAT: -Drink plenty of fluids. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Aside from water, you may want to look into a sport drink with electrolytes to assist your body in regulating fluids. Caffeinated drinks are diuretics and will work against you. Drinking ice cold drinks causes the body to work harder than if you drink cool, but not iced drinks.

-Eat light. Bananas are a good choice as they have potassium. This also supports your body in maintaining our normal electrolyte balance and reduces the likelihood of muscle cramps.

-Shade. Get in the shade when possible. Minimize time in the direct sun. Wear hats with big brims, or use an umbrella if you are going to be somewhere w/o trees or other cover. Some PP&R facilities, such as skateparks, offer limited shade cover and the sun reflection off surfaces is increased.

-Reschedule sports activities. Plan your outdoor games and activities early in the day or in the evening to avoid the most intense hours of sun exposure. -Sunscreen. Protect your skin from the nasty UV rays. Long term damage from short term sun exposure have been linked to skin cancer. Oregon has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in our nation.

Finally, enjoy the summer by simply relaxing at one of our beautiful parks or inviting pools.

PLACES TO COOL DOWN IN PORTLAND PARKS:

Columbia Pool – Indoor
7701 N Chautauqua Blvd. Creston Pool – Outdoor
SE 44th Avenue & Powell Blvd.

Grant Pool – Outdoor
NE 33rd Avenue & US Grant Place

Matt Dishman Pool – Indoor
77 NE Knott Street

Montavilla Pool – Outdoor
8219 NE Glisan Street

Mt. Scott Pool – Indoor
5530 SE 72nd Avenue

Peninsula Pool – Outdoor
700 N Rosa Parks Way

Pier Pool – Outdoor
N Seneca St & St Johns Avenue

Sellwood Pool – Outdoor
7951 SE 7th Avenue

Southwest Pool – Indoor
6820 SW 45th Avenue

Wilson Pool – Outdoor
1151 SW Vermont Street

[Note: Buckman Pool is closed until September 1 for maintenance. MLC Pool is closed indefinitely.]

STAFFED WADING POOLS:

Montavilla Wading Pool
8219 NE Glisan St
Friday, August 15: open until 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 16: open 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Lents Wading Pool
SE 92nd Ave & Holgate Blvd
Friday, August 15: open until 5 p.m.

Mt. Scott Wading Pool
5530 SE 72nd Avenue
Friday, August 15: open until 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 16 & Sunday, August 17: open 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

St. Johns Wading Pool
North Central & North Chicago
Friday, August 15: open until 6 p.m.
Saturday, August 16 & Sunday, August 17: open 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Peninsula Wading Pool
700 N Rosa Parks Way
Friday, August 15: open until 9 p.m.
Saturday, August 16 & Sunday, August 17: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.

SPRAY FEATURE PARKS:
(Available all regular park hours)

Essex Park, SE 79th Ave & Center St

Grant Park, NE 33rd Ave & US Grant Pl

Earl Boyles Park, SE 112th Ave & Boise St

Raymond Park, SE 118th Ave & Raymond St

Woodlawn Park, NE 13th Ave & Dekum St

McCoy Park, N Trenton St & Newman Ave

Pier Park, N Lombard St & Bruce Ave

Northgate Park, N Geneva Ave & Fessenden St

Source: Portland Parks & Recreation