The city of roses is helping the public find a cool summer breeze with these helpful suggestions.
(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 – Indoor7701 N Chautauqua Blvd.
Creston Pool – OutdoorSE 44th Avenue & Powell Blvd.
Grant Pool – OutdoorNE 33rd Avenue & US Grant Place
Matt Dishman Pool – Indoor77 NE Knott Street
Montavilla Pool – Outdoor8219 NE Glisan Street
Mt. Scott Pool – Indoor5530 SE 72nd Avenue
Peninsula Pool – Outdoor700 N Rosa Parks Way
Pier Pool – OutdoorN Seneca St & St Johns Avenue
Sellwood Pool – Outdoor7951 SE 7th Avenue
Southwest Pool – Indoor6820 SW 45th Avenue
Wilson Pool – Outdoor1151 SW Vermont Street
[Note: Buckman Pool is closed until September 1 for maintenance. MLC Pool is closed indefinitely.]
STAFFED WADING POOLS:
Montavilla Wading Pool8219 NE Glisan StFriday, August 15: open until 7 p.m.Saturday, August 16: open 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Lents Wading PoolSE 92nd Ave & Holgate BlvdFriday, August 15: open until 5 p.m.
Mt. Scott Wading Pool5530 SE 72nd AvenueFriday, 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 PoolNorth Central & North ChicagoFriday, August 15: open until 6 p.m.Saturday, August 16 & Sunday, August 17: open 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Peninsula Wading Pool700 N Rosa Parks WayFriday, 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
Portlanders Cool Down With Extended Wading Pool HoursSalem-News.com