Portland Parks & Recreation Announces Summer Offerings
Portland, OR. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is restoring much of its summer programming in 2021 with resources from the Parks Local Option Levy which passed in November of 2020. Click here for an interactive map to find a park.
All seven outdoor public pools and five indoor pools will open on Tuesday, June 22nd. Additionally, Free Lunch + Play will be off and running. It supports families by offering nutritious meals and recreational activities during the summer recess. Free Lunch + Play runs from June 21st through August 20th. Click here for a link to that program.
During the school year, 57% of young Portlanders qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Without school lunches, summer becomes the time when nearly 50,000 Portland children face hunger daily.
Free Lunch + Play offers accessible meal service and engaging activities for kids age 18 and under.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the summer will still look a bit different. In summer 2021, Portland Parks & Recreation’s primary goal is to keep our community healthy and to protect the public from the spread of COVID-19. PP&R designed outdoor summer programming to meet public health guidance and to be flexible as conditions change. Due to public health guidance, some PP&R sites and programs may need to operate at reduced capacity or change locations.
Below are links to the many programs:
Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR)
Offering camps and activities specially designed for children, teens, and adults who live with disabilities.
Arts classes and camps
Multnomah Arts Center will offer outdoor camps and virtual classes. Community Music Center will offer outdoor classes at Kenilworth Park and virtual classes.
Fitness in the Park PP&R has ten parks (twice the amount of last year!) featuring outdoor fitness programs such as yoga, exercise, and Zumba classes.
Free Lunch + Play
Free nutritious meals for youth ages 1-18. Plus free, drop-in activities and special events including art and music activities, pop-up performances, book/reading events, sports, games, and more. No registration required.
Pop-up Performances
Summer Free For All will present small, surprise, “pop-up” performances by local artists at Free Lunch + Play sites and other parks around the city.
Interactive Fountains and Splash Pads
Interactive fountains are open during park hours starting in mid-May, remaining on through early autumn. Splash pads are open daily from June 11 through September 6, between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.
Ladybug Nature Walks
Guided family programs to connect Portlanders to the natural environment.
Lifelong Recreation (formerly known as Senior Recreation)
Virtual programs and outdoor activities available to Portlanders ages 60 and up.
Nature Day Camps
Summer day camps for kids to hike and explore nature.
Virtual Programs
Free Stay and Play videos help Portlanders stay active and connected to PP&R throughout the summer. Videos are available at youtube.com/pdxparksandrec/videos. A limited number of registered, virtual classes will also be available.
Summer Camps
Outdoor day camps, sports, and art camps for ages 5-12 at 20 locations across the city. Camp group sizes are limited and campers will remain with other participants of similar ages.
Swimming pools and lessons*
All seven outdoor public pools and five indoor pools will open on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, if health conditions and staffing allow. Pools will have swim lessons and water exercise classes by reservation only, and limit other offerings to protect public health. Lap swim and water fitness reservations at indoor pools are available between 5:30 am and 12:30 pm.
Here’s a video about Portland Parks:
Community Centers
Community centers will support outdoor COVID-19-responsive programming this summer. Community centers will not be open to the public this summer, regardless of public health guidance. PP&R looks forward to the centers reopening in the fall of 2021.
