Community centers hold such a special place in this author’s heart. When our children were young, this is where they learned to dance, play sports, create, and swim. These are the places where your kid learns about the world and where you learn how to be a parent.
Community centers are such wonderful places for young and old to learn and grow. Community centers offer a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Community centers provide important resources and services such as classes, workshops, cultural events, health and wellness programs, and community outreach. These services are often affordable and accessible to everyone in the community. Today we are going to cover some of the community centers and spaces that we have access to in the Portland metro area, specifically Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) and Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD).
In Portland proper, there is the Portland Parks & Recreation. The vision of PP&R is that “Portland’s parks, public places, natural areas, and recreational opportunities give life and beauty to our city. These essential assets connect people to place, self, and others. Portland’s residents treasure and care for this legacy, building on the past to provide for future generations.”
Portland Parks & Recreation offer several ways of connecting with the community. To access information about Portland Parks & Recreation’s community centers, go here, for PP&R’s pools, go here, for information about golf courses in PP&R, go here, and for tennis courts, go here.
The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning 50 square miles and serving about 250,000 residents in and around Beaverton, Oregon. THPRD covers the following: aquatic centers, nature centers, recreation centers, sports centers, outdoor locations, historic sites, and service centers. You can access links to find out more about each of these areas here. There is so much to explore!
It turns out that many of the community centers are either currently under construction or are about to be under construction. So check before you go! For example, the PP&R’s Mt. Scott Community Center is a really fantastic center with an amazing pool. Still, this fall, it will close down for a long time for a vast remodel called the Mt. Scott Community Center Seismic Retrofit and Expansion Project. It looks even more amazing!
Another tip/warning, there is a swim instructor shortage, and both districts have specific rules about registration, and class availability is limited. Both districts are doing massive hiring if this is something you or someone you know would be interested in. This is a great way to be a part of the community.
A cool thing that Portland Parks & Rec do is called an Access Pass. According to their website, the Access Pass offers reduced pricing. Portland Parks & Recreation believes recreation is for everyone. They state that they “know that the price of programs and activities prevents some community members from being able to participate. Thanks to the Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy), we can offer new payment options for people who live within the City of Portland. The City of Portland residents can register for a free Access Pass to receive an ongoing discount of 25, 50, 75, or 90% based on financial need. The pass is valid for 12 months from the date of enrollment. No proof of income is required.”
It is important to note that if you don’t live in the district for either of these park districts we are covering, you can still use the facilities typically for a slightly higher rate. This goes for the community centers and the other parks’ programs and facilities.
Summer classes, camps, and activities are coming up. Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District has summer registration this Saturday, April 15, 2023. You can access THPRD registration here. And Portland Parks & Recreation has its summer registration on Wednesday, May 17, and you can access PP&R signup here.
Community centers play an essential role in creating healthy, vibrant, and connected communities. They provide a place where people can come together, access essential services, and build meaningful relationships with their neighbors. What do you like about the community centers in the area? Should we cover each of the different community centers and parks individually? We would love to hear your thoughts.
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.