Top FREE Summer Swimming

Thanks to PP&R for the information and Instagram followers for pictures - see their handles at the bottom.

When the weather finally gets hot in Portland, parks have got you covered. 14 Splash Pools, 7 interactive wading fountains, and 7 open outdoor swimming pools make for many days of summer fun for you and your family.  We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorites below; making special mention of the outdoor swimming pools that have free admission times for the public.

Whilst researching this blog, we came across some interesting Portland history.  The Parks Department first started developing the outdoor swimming pools as public bathing facilities.  In the early 1900s few people in Portland had bathrooms or could afford running water to bathe.  A private company ran a series of floating bath houses on the Willamette for many years, but after they turned over the keys to the newly formed Parks Department in the early 1900s, department officials found the facilities unsanitary due to public sewage flowing into the river often right next to the bathhouses.  Most pools at the beginning were ether separated by sexes with one pool for men and one for women, or hosted alternate bathing days for women and men.

1. Bill Naito Legacy Fountain: [Pictured Above] Operates 6:30am - 8pm Monday-Friday in warm months    
The Bill Naito Legacy fountain is named after a revered Portland business and civic leader whose name is also on the street that borders the Willamette River through downtown.  A poem etched on the fountain honors Portland’s immigrants and diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city. “. . . a port city harbors their hopes – and a fountain flows here in their memory.”

2. Creston Outdoor Pool: Free Swim Time – Mondays from 1-4 pm
This SE Portland pool enjoys a whole host of summer activities to keep adults and children active and swimming.  Children with good swimming skills can sign up for the summer swim league, and on August 20th at 7:30, Creston will host one of the Dive-In Movies. See the full schedule of dive-in movies here.

3. Dawson Fountain: Visitors just need to push the button at the picnic shelter to turn on the fountain
Installed in 2014 as part of the renovation of Dawson Park, the fountain includes 21 spray nozzles sequenced with a timer to allow interactive movement of the water and water saving capabilities. A series of seed-shaped seating elements are inscribed with the unique history of the neighborhood.

4. Jamison Square Fountain: Operates 8am - 10pm in warm months
As from an underground spring, water flows between stone joints into shallow pools in this fountain.  Surrounding art pieces and grassy areas make this fountain one of the most beautiful and playful fountains in Portland.

5. McCoy Fountain: Operates 11am - 9pm in warm months
McCoy is the first decorative municipal fountain in north Portland. The playful “guessing” water feature sits at the south end of McCoy Park in the New Columbia neighborhood. The fountain sprays at random intervals from different jets making it a fun fountain for all ages.

6. Montavilla Outdoor Pool: Free Swim Time – Tuesdays from 1-2:30 pm
Montavilla is filled on most hot summer days with families and fun. Teenagers are welcome to enjoy FREE swimming Monday-Friday throughout the summer from 1-4pm.  Montavilla is also reaching out to offer FREE Teen Beginner swimming lessons this summer as well.  Families can sign up for swimming lessons by contacting the pool directly.

7. Peninsula Outdoor Pool: Free Swim Time – Thursdays from 1-2:55 pm
Located at the first community center of Portland, the Peninsula Pool has served the northeast Portland community for over 100 years.  The pool also hosted Humboldt Penguins in 1957 when they arrived from Antarctica before the zoo was ready with their new home.

8. Pier Outdoor Pool: Free Swim Time – Fridays from 1:45-4:30
Located in one of Portland’s best parks, Pier Pool will offer a special Water Safety Day on July 28th from 2-3:30 to teach kids and parents alike boat and swimming safety practices and life vest fitting.  The afternoon will finish off with a splash contest and prizes.

9. Sellwood Outdoor Pool: Free Swim Time – Wednesdays from 7:20-8:50 pm
Set in the serene and historic Sellwood Park, this pool was the first pool built by the Parks Department and has been in continuous use by the public since 1910.  In the pool’s modest beginnings, women and men alternated days that they used the pool. Now everyone can swim and splash together every day of the week.

10. Teachers Fountain: Operates 8am - 10pm in warm months
Teachers Fountain is Portland's newest municipal fountain. It is "Dedicated to all who educate and inspire." The fountain is a playful but elegant display of arching jets and low burbles that run downhill into a shallow pool.

Photo credits - find these folks on Instagram:
1. @lemongingertea
2. @lydialauer
3. @zeus_71
4. @tk421_m
5. @scowlinginpdx
6. @melmaemay
7. @sarahherbold
8. @mscrican
9. @smakbarnett
10. @lawrencetravels

Top Summer Camps

Photos courtesy Portland Parks & Recreation

Got a little behind on that summer camp planning? Not to worry – Portland’s Parks Bureau has you covered.

This is the first ‘Top 10’ blog that was nearly impossible to narrow down to just 10. The 350+ options I had to leave out (Mandarin Camp, D.I.Y. Nature Camp) of this list looked fascinating, fun and educational. Portland Parks & Recreation really outdid themselves providing Portlanders with affordable and amazing experiences for children this summer. My picks below and the 350+ others can be found on the easily searchable activities database here: https://apm.activecommunities.com/portlandparks/Home

1.    Daily Destinations [Pictured in header]
Make every day a field trip! Use public transportation to explore & investigate the beauty of the region around us. Discover new places & experience familiar ones while increasing your knowledge of our area through tours, games and other activities. Let's go!

2.    Adaptive Recreation
Summer is for everyone in PP&R’s great adaptive recreation programs. Learn to skateboard, go hiking and enjoy all that Portland’s parks provide in these fun and engaging camps all summer long.

3.    GirlStrength and Skate Like A Girl
Power up this summer with girl-focused camps on self-defense techniques, self-confidence strategies, and skating skills.

4.    Kindergarten Readiness Camp
If your little one is starting school this fall, you might think of this camp as a good refresher of all those skills they need to become a great part of their new classroom.

5.    Capture the Flag, Pickleball and Other ‘Traditional’ Sports
Portland Parks & Recreation really knows how to get kids to be active.  Multiple sports camps across the city mix it up and teach students different sports each day and every week.

6.    W.I.L.D. Camps
Wilderness Insight Learning & Discovery - W.I.L.D. Get your little ones out into the urban forest to learn more about rocks, trees and the wildlife that call our urban parks home. Great for that adventurous soul who loves our nature parks.

7.    Jr. Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Camp Leader and Babysitter Trainings
Nothing better than making a little extra money during the summer. Get your teenager ready for future job success in these job training sessions for pre-teen and teenagers.

8.    Carnival of the Orchestra and Other Music Camps
The Community Music Center never ceases to make music discovery fun and interactive. Your child will be tooting their own horn by the end of the summer with the music skills they’ll learn here.

9.    Finger Painting to Choreography
Look no further than the Multnomah Art Center for inspiration and instruction for your little dancer or artist. All mediums and forms can be explored this summer at the MAC.

10.    SUN Community School Camps
Expanding the service area beyond Portland Parks & Recreation facilities, the SUN Community School camps provide opportunities to explore cooking, theater, arts, environmental adventure and sports recreation.  There is something there for every kid in every neighborhood this summer.

Now go out there and get into some fun before summer is over!

Steps for a 15-Minute Nature Break

Photos courtesy OSU Master Naturalist Program

Portland is home to thousands of acres of natural areas with interesting flora, fauna and geology to discover around every corner.  In an effort to get Portlanders out to enjoy their natural areas, we teamed up with an OSU Master Naturalist Program student, Kenneth Cobleigh, to write a series of seasonal blogs about parks through a naturalist's eyes. See the steps below for your 15-minute nature break today!

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Ken Cobleigh is a systems engineer and author with a strong passion for the natural world and how humans fit into it.  His favorite park to spend time is Hoyt Arboretum and he is currently enrolled in the OSU Master Naturalist Program to expand the breadth and width of his nature knowledge.

Have you ever been 'lost' in the woods?  I have, and it wasn’t because I didn’t know where I was on a map; rather I was lost in the wonderful world of nature that surrounded me.  As I have gotten older, I have had to moderate my pace due to painful arthritis that restricts my movement.  But in addition to the changes in my physical body I have come to realize that I have been missing out on the real beauty and the subtlety of the natural world by rushing through it to reach a destination.  Now I walk slowly and deliberately and with a passion to discover new things.  

I am studying to become an Oregon Master Naturalist, a program offered through OSU extension service, and in doing so have been instructed to increase my observational skills.  This includes using more than my eyes to see, and this process is very enlightening to me.  
To contemplate even a small part of the extreme complexity of the natural world is a daunting task. For example, I am in awe of the numerous interrelationships between species in a given ecosystem that may take decades or even centuries to fully comprehend.  And what drives this life-long adventure? Primarily careful, recorded observations!  A journal for notes, sketches, ideas, questions, etc. is a great tool and is indispensable for the naturalist.

Here is a simple exercise that anyone can do in a short time – say 15-20 minutes.  First, pick a place, maybe one of your favorite parks or natural areas or even your own backyard.  Then find a peaceful spot to settle into.  Your chosen spot should be off the beaten track a little so you are not interrupted.  Sit on the ground or on a log.  Relax and close your eyes.  What immediately happens?  You feel deprived of a very primary sense – your sight!  But don’t fret; in a few minutes you will acclimatize.  

As you do this exercise, do more than just sit and enjoy the peace.  Ask yourself questions such as:

• What is the current microclimate like?  Is it cold, warm, moist, dry? Am I in a field, the woods, on a mountainside? Am I near water? How does the local geography shape this microclimate?

• How does the ground feel – rocky, soft, sandy?  How does the local geology impact what I feel?

• What sounds am I hearing?  Which are natural and which are man-made? If in the woods, listen for branches rubbing or the wind whispering through the needles and leaves.  Pay attention to the birdsongs and what direction are they coming from.

• What direction is the wind coming from; how strong is it; how does it fluctuate?

• What am I smelling?  Is it floral, pungent, or foul smelling?

• What can I feel?  How does the bark of the log I am sitting on feel?  Is it deeply furrowed, slightly furrowed, or smooth?

Upon opening your eyes, see how many of your observations make sense from a visual perspective. Begin your walk again.  Move slowly and quietly. Use your eyes to scan the ground for animal tracks. Pay attention to the texture and the color of the foliage and the diversity and activity of the fauna of your chosen spot. Now integrate all of your senses together.  What is the story this place is trying to tell you?  You are on your way to a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the nature that surrounds you.

I encourage you to do this numerous times until all of your senses are working together in harmony to perceive the natural world around you in detail.  I guarantee this to be a very satisfying journey!

Parks Instead of Pills

Photo courtesy Portland Parks & Recreation

Parks just make people healthier.  Exercising outside instead of in a gym increases levels of vitamin D, decreases stress and a general feeling of mental ease and revitalization.  In a study of over 21,000 urbanites across many European countries, researchers found that access to green space and recreational areas greatly reduced socioeconomic health inequalities in neighboring communities, while financial services, transport, and cultural facilities had no similar effect. This fun Trust for Public Land video below outlines the top 8 ways that parks benefit our health.

View: 8 Ways Parks Improve Your Health

Video and Image courtesy Trust for Public Land

Of the many reasons people site for not exercising, time and money are a few of the most quoted. Parks create places for people to recreate and exercise for free and close to home. Instead of stretching on a section of sidewalk or dancing Zumba in your neighbor’s front yard, parks provide us with a comfortable place to exercise together that is safe from traffic or other disturbances. We encourage you this summer to get out and join one of the FREE exercise classes in our parks or simply grab a friend and meet in your favorite park for some much needed exercise this summer.  It will make your mind and body much happier.

Parks - Where Memories are Made

PPF Board Chair Gina Eiben volunteering with one of her children at the 2015 Parke Diem. Photo taken by Stephen Brown in Washington Park

The phrase ‘sense of place’ has become a buzzword for those that work with land conservation for at least a decade.  It is often envisioned as a physical aspect of the landscape itself – a beautiful tree, rich agricultural soil, a field where a historic event took place. As places in Portland come and go with development and time, people’s sense of the places that mark important feelings, memories or values inevitably alter as well.

Often all that is left of a place are the citizens that keep the memories, big and small, that define our city. Thankfully, Portland’s nearly 12,000 acres of parkland have been reserved for generations of these memories to collect and enrich our lives. For our 15th anniversary year we’ll be talking to folks whose big and small memories of Portland’s park spaces shape their lives and the way they view the city itself.

We asked what parks mean to our Board Chair Gina Eiben. A transplant like many Portlanders these days, parks have helped her establish deep roots within our city.

How did you come to Portland?

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio.  I began my legal career in Cleveland, Ohio where I practiced law for two years before relocating to Portland.  I was drawn to Portland long before I moved here - amazed by the abundance of natural beauty and the prevalent use and enjoyment of the outdoors.  When I first visited Portland in November 1998, my sister took me on a walk through Washington Park.  It was a torrential downpour and we were soaked, but that didn’t stop us or the crowd of turkey trotters from enjoying the lush scenery. I, like so many others, fell in love with Portland.  Since moving to Portland in 2007, parks have proven to be a great source of entertainment, relaxation and refuge through the various phases of my life.  

“. . .parks have proven to be a great source of entertainment, relaxation and refuge through the various phases of my life.”

— Gina Eiben

How have Portland’s parks played a role in your life?

When I finally relocated here in 2007, and didn’t know anyone, I did a lot of hiking by myself in Forest Park.  When my now husband moved here, and we got a dog, the three of us spent numerous weekends hiking and relaxing in Portland parks.  Now that I have two sons, ages 2 and 5, we regularly walk to the many wonderful parks near our neighborhood in NE Portland.

Some of my best memories include my inaugural walk through Washington Park with my sister in 1998.  In 2010, my husband and I were married in the Shakespeare Garden in Washington Park.  I was delighted and proud to welcome my friends and family, most of whom had never been to Portland, to experience the city, but especially the park.  On a sunny afternoon in 2011, I strolled through the Rose Garden in Washington Park experiencing the wonder of labor, and waiting to welcome our first son.

Do you feel parks are important to Portland’s identity?

I believe that Portlanders are especially lucky to have the natural resources that we do. The city is blessed with natural beauty that can’t be recreated or substituted.  Portland’s parks are a real treasure.  Parks have something to offer to every person in this city – nature is a great equalizer.  I love our parks.  I want to maintain what we have and continue to grow the prevalence and accessibility of parks throughout the city.  I don’t want to see our parks be taken for granted.  In our fifteenth year, the Foundation has an energy, sense of stewardship and commitment to equity that is inspiring.  I feel proud to be part of such a capable and focused organization whose work is essential to protecting and promoting park space and programs throughout the City .

Parks are more than just empty places in the city.  They deserve to be preserved with the same care as the memories created within their boundaries.  We hope you will join us to make them even better for generations to come.

450,000+ Hours For Portland's Parks

Good cities like Portland are made up of good citizens that give back and advocate for their communities. While parks may seem like an effortless part of Portland's identity, the truth is that it takes over 450,000 hours of volunteer effort to keep these vital community spaces beautiful year-round.

For this week's blog, we'll look at one inspirational example from a much larger city of what volunteers, parks foundations, and private investment can do for park spaces. While Portland and New York are very different cities, it is easy to find inspiration in this story of park revival.

Top Portland Park Views

Long days and warm nights make for fine evening picnicking opportunities in Portland.  Below are our favorite Portland views in alphabetical order that afford plenty of exploring or dining opportunities. Pack that basket, hop on your bike and head out to a vista near you!

1. Clatsop Butte [pictured above]: Clatsop Butte and neighboring natural area make this a perfect afternoon exploration.  Whether viewing Mt. Hood from the green grass or walking the wooded paths, this park will provide a feast for the eyes.

2. Council Crest: This former amusement park location boasts one of the best views of the metro area and beyond.  On a clear day, one can see Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Rainier from this park.

3. Dickinson Park: This tucked away SW Portland Park displays sunset views silhouetting the hills facing westward.  Long meadows provide plenty of space to and enjoy the dusk colors.

4. Joseph Wood Hill Park – a.k.a Rocky Butte: This historic park at the top of another cinder cone is well worth the breathtaking views of the Columbia Basin, Cascades and beautiful stonework done by the WPA in the 1930s.

5. Kelly Butte: This rustic wonder on the East side of Portland is worth the visit for those that are courageous and aren’t afraid of explorations off trail.

6. Powell Butte: The varied landscape of this butte is topped by a spectacular view of the Cascade Range and neighboring foothills. Well worth the hike to the top.

7. Mocks Crest – a.k.a Skidmore Bluffs: Part of a geologic form called Willamette Escarpment that runs from Milwaukie through North Portland; this spot is one of the best along the way. The location of this park right on the edge of the escarpment makes it a perfect sunset viewing location.

8. Mt. Tabor: This Portland favorite hosts a little of everything within its boundaries and boasts one of the best views of the Portland cityscape.

9. Pittock Mansion: Just a few feet in elevation below Council Crest, Pittock Mansion’s views of Portland and the Cascades fill photo books of most tourists and locals alike.

10. Terwilliger Boulevard: With 6 identified viewpoints of the river, city and beyond, Portland’s 100+ year-old parkway is worth a visit by foot or bike.

Thank you to all of the Instagram friends that helped make this blog possible.  Follow us on Instagram to see park photos that will beautify your day! Photo credits in order:

1. @osu4hicyi
2. @kdulong
3. @emburns88
4. @cara.jack
5. @ckbilsborrow
6. @thebeerdedrunner
7. @gabrieltrieger
8. @fat.rob
9. @carafernandez
10. @nikkelley1

Parks Provide More than Shade

Parks are truly Portland’s living room during the summer months. Other than a nice shady picnic spot, what do parks really provide Portlanders? Here’s a roundup of our top blogs this year on the value parks bring to our city. That leads us to ask – how do parks and park programs help you?

As we began to celebrate our 15th anniversary year at an open house last week, many folks talked about why parks and private support for parks are important.  Now it’s your turn - share your story and you can win a pair of our 15th Anniversary shades just in time for the summer sun!

We’ll see you at that perfect picnic spot this month rocking your new sunglasses!

1.    Health
2.    Recreation
3.    Economic Development
4.    Environmental Health
5.    Wildlife Habitat
6.    Community
7.    Education

Thanks for helping support Portland’s parks and park programs that give so much back year-round. Now get out there and enjoy the park system you are helping build!

Our 11,000+ Acre Gym

PPF Board Member Charlie Baker playing baseball at Scavone Field in Westmoreland Park. Charlie is a supporter of recreation both at work at Nike and at play where he participates in a championship-winning local baseball team.

May is National Fitness Month and it only takes a moment in Portland’s parks to see their importance in our exercise routines.  On one sunny evening this spring a stroll into to my neighborhood park looked like an introduction scene from a fitness video.  People were walking dogs, playing basketball, jogging, stretching, and children were biking and playing on the playground structure.

When it comes to providing safe places for youth to exercise, parks are an especially important resource in our city.  Many studies have found that if children have easy access to safe parks and playgrounds, they are more likely to engage in physical activity and less likely to be overweight.

The Office of Disease Control and Health Promotion states that youth should get 1 hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.  Unfortunately, today many children aren’t getting the exercise they need and about 12.7 million children in America are overweight or obese.

One of PPF’s board members, Charlie Baker, can testify to the powerful role parks have made in his pursuit of life-long fitness and recreation. “I’ve been an athlete my entire life.  The very first place I learned to play tee-ball was in a park.  In fact, I still play baseball 40+ years later at places like Lents Park, Gabriel Park, and Pier Park.”

Unfortunately, some areas of east and northeast Portland still lack a fully developed park within reasonable walking distance, and many streets still do not have sidewalks for children to get to park locations. As a 2014 Portland Parks & Recreation press release stated, “Two out of every five households in this part of town do not have easy access to a City of Portland park, in stark contrast to the rest of Portland where four out of every five households live within a half-mile of a park or natural area. . . Demand for recreational services is high, and closing this “play gap” is a priority for Portland Parks & Recreation and Commissioner Fritz.”

The path forward seems simple. As Charlie puts it, “If you have a body, you are an athlete. . . athletes need safe and well maintained places to play.” The current effort to help build Cully Park by our nonprofit partner Verde is a good example of what we can do to help children access the recreational opportunities they need to stay healthy.  The Portland Parks Foundation is committed to help fundraise to build Cully Park and we look forward to partnering further with park supporters until every Portland child can access the outdoor recreation they need.

Portland Wanderings

Oregonian Reporter Jamie Hale on a Hike

If you follow the Oregonian travel section you’ve probably noticed some excellent articles this spring giving a ‘behind the scenes’ look at some of the best walks and hikes in Portland.

We reached out to the reporter, Jamie Hale, to learn more about his experiences in Portland’s parks. 

What was your motivation for the series?

I love all the hiking opportunities within Portland proper, so I wanted to create a comprehensive and user-friendly guide that compiled them in one place. Too often when we talk about “Portland hikes” we’re talking about places outside of the city, which is great, but that ignores all the places you can get to without taking a day trip.

What was it like to hike around Portland?

“. . .there’s something about wandering that gives feast to the soul.”

— Jamie Hale

The process of putting this together was very hands – or rather, feet – on. I went out on about a dozen hikes in the span of three weeks, taking photos, notes and learning about the history of each place. I wanted to write individual in-depth posts on each, because so many of our local parks have such fascinating historical backgrounds. I’m the kind of person who likes to be as thorough as possible, but I had to back off a little on this one and not expect myself to know every detail about every trail in the city. Besides, that leaves some hidden gems around town too.

Any especially wonderful or frustrating experiences while writing the articles?

The wonderful thing was spending my work days out on the trail, of course, and learning some bits and pieces about our city’s history in the process. The most frustrating piece was figuring out how to cover Forest Park, which is simply too expansive to write about in one, two or even three different articles. Readers will have to explore, and make their own hikes out there.

Anything else about your urban hiking adventures we should know?

While I highlight these regimented hikes, I always like to encourage people to find their own trails as well. You get such a richer experience out of nature when you make your own personal connection with it. Following directions is fine, but there’s something about wandering that gives feast to the soul.