Peninsula Pool Info
Open June 22- September 4. Rentals available.

General Admission Fees
$4.00 - age 18 & up
$2.50 - age 3-17
Free - age 2 & under (with parent)

Outdoor, 33-yard, oval-shaped swimming pool, heated to 84 degrees. Water depths range from 2 feet to 8 feet.

In 1998, two ceramic tile murals created by artist George Johanson were installed on the south wall overlooking the pool deck. These colorful murals depict people enjoying the water at the beach and at a pool.

Built in 1913, this Italian-villa style facility was the first community center in the Portland park system. Its original floor plan was perfectly symmetrical, consisting of two pools and two gyms - one for men, the other for women. Such separate-but-equal social attitudes were also reflected in the entryway murals: young men featured in the area leading to the men's side, and young women on the women's side!

The Peninsula Pool was built in order to fill the need created by the closure of the bath houses that had been in use on the Willamette River. These structures were closed due to increasing pollution in the Willamette. As popular as the pool is with people, it also has a history of being enjoyed by Humboldt penguins. In 1957, when the penguins were scheduled to make their debut at the Washington Park Zoo, the zoo's penguin facilities were not yet finished, so the Peninsula Park Pool was used as a holding area until their own space was ready.