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Need a place to escape the summer heat? Here’s a list of cooling centers and spaces in and around Portland.
Whenever a heat wave rolls into town, it can feel like a frenzied effort to find a place to cool off during the hottest times of the day. Thankfully, there are free resources throughout the city to help Portlanders stay cool.
Below is a list of cooling centers and spaces to help you cool off during extreme heat in Portland.
Cooling Centers and Spaces in and around Portland
During heat waves, Multnomah County opens designated cooling centers as a reprieve from hottest times of day. Here’s what is currently open:
The two cooling centers open Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, from noon to 9 p.m. are:
- Multnomah County East Building, 600 N.E. 8th St., Gresham, operated by Cultivate Initiatives
- Friendly House, 1737 N.W. 26th Ave., Portland, operated by Multnomah County
Three Multnomah County library branches are until 8 p.m.
- Central Library, 801 S.W. 10th Ave., Portland
- Gresham Library, 385 N.W. Miller Ave., Gresham
- Midland Library, 805 S.E 122nd Ave., Portland
Be sure to check in on Multnomah County’s website to double check what is open. The county will assess situations on a day-to-day basis.
Transportation
Need a ride to these cooling centers? Friday, Aug. 22, and tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 23, Trimet provides free rides to anyone going to a cooling space between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Simply tell the bus driver or MAX operator where you are headed for a free ride. Stay tuned to Trimet’s website for updates. Anyone needing additional transportation help can call 2-1-1.
Another location offering air conditioning is the Lloyd Center, 2201 Lloyd Center, which is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Splash Pads
Splash pads are open at Portland parks from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day through September 1. Here’s are the splash pads locations:
- Colonel Summers Park, SE 17th Avenue and Taylor Street
- Columbia Park and Annex, N Lombard Street and Woolsey Avenue
- Dawson Park, N Stanton Street and Williams Avenue
- Earl Boyles Park, east of SE 107th Avenue and Francis Street
- Elizabeth Caruthers Park, 3508 SW Moody Avenue
- Errol Heights Park. SE 45th Avenue and Tenino Drive
- Essex Park, SE 79th Avenue and Center Street
- Farragut Park, N Kerby Avenue and Farragut Street
- Fernhill Park, NE 37th Avenue and Ainsworth Street
- Gateway Discovery Park, 10520 NE Halsey Street
- Irving Park, NE 7th Avenue and Fremont Street
- Kenton Park, 8417 N Brandon Avenue
- Khunamokwst Park, 5200 NE Alberta Street
- Mill Park, SE 119th Avenue and SE Lincoln Street
- Northgate Park, N Geneva Avenue and Fessenden Street
- Parklane Park, SE 155th Avenue and SE Main Street
- Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way
- Pier Park, N Lombard Street and Bruce Avenue
- Raymond Park, SE 118th Avenue and Raymond Street
- Spring Garden Park, 3332 SW Spring Garden Street
- Woodlawn Park, NE 13th Avenue and Dekum Street
Here’s an interactive map of all the splash pad locations. Local pool also offer free open play swim times throughout the week.
Libraries
Open seven days a week, Multnomah County libraries offer a welcome break from the relenting heat with lots of options for entertainment. There are 22 locations through the county, but several are currently closed for renovations. Make sure you check the library hours and locations here before you visit.
Interactive Map
Multnomah County has gathered all of these resources into an interactive map. This gives you an easy-to-use visual of where you can go wherever you are in the county.
For the most up-to-date information, visit Multnomah County’s website.
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