The East Portland Community Center, offers family and open swim times, giving access to their pool, a large water slide, a small kiddie slide, and a whirlpool.

This Portland neighborhood community center is located on SE 106th Ave and offers a variety of swimming options, including lap pools, swimming lessons, water fitness classes, family swim times, and more. The “family swim” is a swimming time dedicated to parents and children to be able to enjoy the pool freely. The pool has several areas to swim, and a nice shallow toddler area, where the kids can easily step down into one foot of water or follow the ramp down into the water. There's a kiddie slide that is partly covered and has a big shark on top, which seems like it would be best for ages 7 and under. There is also a tall water slide that is available, where younger children can sit on the lap of an adult to ride down (no floaties or life vests on the big slide). Be aware, there is often some splashing at the bottom of the slide that may be uncomfortable for littles who don't yet care to get their face or heads wet. 

There is also a deeper pool with more space to actually swim about, and a fun lazy-like river (a bit faster than lazy in my opinion) with a whirlpool in it. During family swim a child under 16 years old needs to be accompanied by an adult and children under 48 inches as well as those who can’t swim yet (including those in life jackets), must have their parent or guardian in the water and within an arm's reach at all times. They have several life jackets available to borrow and pool noodles to play and float with. They also allow you to bring in small floats, noodles, or diving rings, but ask that you leave any large floats at home.

It seems that they offer “Open Swim” following family swim, a few days a week. Open swim is when all swimming and diving areas are open to all ages, but non swimmers and children under 48 inches still must be accompanied by a guardian aged 16 years or older, and within an arm's reach, at all times. 

 Admission entry is first-come-first-served and capacities are dependent on current staffing. Anyone who is in the pool area regardless of if they are getting in the water or not have to pay admission. I recommend if you visit on the weekend that you show up a little bit early to get in line. We went on a Sunday and the line, which did move quickly, was pretty long by the time 11:30 rolled around. 

Their current swim schedule is as follows:

Monday & Wednesday Family Swim 11:30am - 1pm

Tuesday & Thursday No play swims

Friday Family Swim 11:30am - 1pm Open Swim 4pm - 7pm

Saturday & Sunday Family Swim 11:30am - 12:30pm Open Swim 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Although these are current swim times, check their website or give them a call for any updates.

There are both men's and women’s locker rooms with lockers (bring your own combination lock), bathrooms, and showers with soap (although the showers were not very warm when I was there). They also have five all user changing rooms available.

While there, check out some of the other things this community center has to offer, like their fitness center, group fitness classes, activities for teens through their TeenForce program, they even offer preschool classes. They have a playground on site and ping pong and foosball tables in the main hallway, making it so that the community center truly has something for everyone.