FunKidsActivities

Montavilla Outdoor Pool

8219 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97220, USA

Overview

Category:Indoor Water Parks
Location:Portland, OR

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Montavilla Outdoor Pool, as part of a larger community center, offers an affordable and diverse range of family-friendly activities beyond just swimming. It stands out for its well-regarded children's and preschool programs, unique gym rental packages (including bounce houses and indoor trike bikes), and a clean outdoor pool area with both shallow and deep sections. It provides excellent value, especially for budget-conscious families, with free summer activities and lunches.

Key Highlights

  • Affordable programs and preschool activities that children enjoy and where they feel safe.
  • Gym rental packages are available, which include a bounce house and indoor trike bikes (suitable for 6-7 year olds), as well as a basketball court.
  • Terrific and helpful staff, particularly noted for gym rentals and as lifeguards.
  • Outdoor park area features partial shade, picnic tables, open grassy space for games, and musical instruments near the playground.
  • Clean and roomy changing areas, bathrooms, and showers.
  • Pool has distinct shallow (1.5-4 ft) and deep sides, along with a slide.
  • Free lunches and activities are offered for kids during the summer.

Standout Features

  • Affordable pricing for programs, making activities accessible to more families.
  • Comprehensive gym rental for parties, including a bounce house and trike bikes.
  • Highly regarded lifeguards and clean pool facilities.
  • Dedicated park area with amenities like picnic tables, grassy space, and musical instruments.
  • Clean and spacious changing rooms and showers.
  • Summer offerings of free lunches and activities for kids.

Perfect For

Preschoolers: Specifically mentioned for programs and activities.
Young Children (6-7 years old): Ideal for birthday parties with indoor trike bikes in the gym.
Children of various ages: Pool caters to different swimming abilities with shallow (1.5-4ft) and deep sections; diverse programs offered.

Ideal For

Families seeking affordable and engaging regular activities or preschool programs.
Birthday parties for children, especially 6-7 year olds, utilizing the gym rental with unique activities.
Budget-conscious families looking for free summer entertainment and meals.
A combined playground and pool visit on a warm day.
Parents valuing clean facilities and attentive lifeguards for their children's swimming experience.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Always check the current policy on masks, as they were required inside the building in summer 2021.
  • Verify specific pool 'play swim' hours, which were noted as 2:50 PM - 5 PM during summer 2021.
  • Bring your own sun protection (e.g., umbrella, hat) if you plan to sit poolside, as there is limited shade.
  • Be aware that there are no lockers for personal belongings; plan accordingly.
  • Exercise caution and be vigilant when parking your car, especially near dumpsters, due to reported safety issues (broken glass, unhoused individuals).
  • Familiarize yourself with pool rules; cannonballs are allowed, but front flips are not for safety reasons.

Things to Consider

  • Significant safety concerns in the parking area, including broken glass and presence of unhoused individuals near dumpsters, creating an uncomfortable environment.
  • Limited shade available for those sitting on the sidelines at the pool.
  • Pool space can be inadequate for playing games during open swim hours, potentially due to crowding.
  • The facility does not have lockers to store personal belongings.
  • Masks were required inside the building during summer 2021 (policy may vary now).

Price & Value

Programs and activities are noted as affordable, enabling families to participate in more activities than they otherwise could. Summer programs include free lunches and activities for kids. Gym rentals appear to offer good value by including amenities like a bounce house and trike bikes.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Free lunches are provided for children during summer programs.
  • Picnic tables are available in the park area, suggesting outside food is permitted in that specific zone, though no explicit policy for the pool area itself.

🚗Parking Info

  • On-site parking is available, but concerns were raised regarding safety in the parking area, including broken glass and the presence of unhoused individuals near dumpsters.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Open swim hours can be crowded, making it difficult to play games.
  • The pool is described as 'a little crowded but not much' by one reviewer, suggesting varying levels of crowdedness.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Lifeguards are described as 'great swimmers' and attentive.
  • Specific pool rules are enforced for safety (e.g., no front flips allowed).
  • Children feel safe in the programs provided by the community center.
  • Masks were a required safety measure inside the building in summer 2021 (check current policy).

When to Avoid

  • If you require lockers for your valuables, as none are provided.
  • If you anticipate ample space for extensive swimming or playing elaborate water games during open swim hours, as it can be crowded.
  • If you are highly sensitive to parking area safety concerns (broken glass, unhoused individuals) when visiting with children.

Pricing/Package/Events

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Non-swimmers and children under 48 inches tall must always have a caregiver aged 16 or older in the water within arm’s reach.
  • Children under 10 years old must always have a caregiver on-site.
  • Life jackets are available to use while swimming.
  • Examples of Approved Swimwear policy exists (details not provided).
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 1, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
  • Safe environment for children (mentioned in 3 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

  • Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Recent Reviews

R Y

R Y

3 years ago

The park is nice and partially shaded. There are a few picnic tables and open grassy space for games. During the summer there are free lunches and activities for kids. I went on a Tuesday and was happily surprised to find keyboards and other instruments to play next to the play ground. Went to the pool for play swim (starts at 2:50-5ish summer of 2021). We did have to wear masks inside the building. There is a very shallow side (1 1/2 foot to 4ft) and a nice deep side. They only had the deep side slide out. Not a lot of shade for those sitting on the side lines. I did like the changing area and bathrooms/shower area was clean and roomy. I only give this place three stars for safety reasons. When I parked my car I discovered tons of broken glass next to my car. (I had to back out carefully to avoid running over the glass) I parked next to the dumpster and someone was sleeping in the dumpster. When I went back to my car (after going to the playground we came back for swim gear) the man was out of the dumpster and just there next to my car. As a woman with kids going to the park/pool it was very uncomfortable to deal with that kind of person.

Rebecca Reddaway

Rebecca Reddaway

2 years ago

We rented the gym for our son’s 6th birthday. The rental came with a bounce house and really cool indoor trike bikes that are big enough for 6/7 year olds. We brought a bunch of giant bouncy balls, and everyone had a blast! The adults could even play basket ball. A big thank you to the terrific staff.

Amber Sanchez

Amber Sanchez

8 years ago

We attend many programs offered for kids and the preschool. My daughter loves her instructors and always has fun and feels safe here. The price allows us to do more activities then we would otherwise be able to afford. We love this community center.

Ralph Zhang

Ralph Zhang

a year ago

Worst outdoor pool ever. It totally lacks of enough swimming spot and it is very difficult to play games during the open swim hours. What's worse, this facility doesn't have lockers to store your personal belongings. I wouldn't recommend this outdoor as the choice.

Star Shaver

Star Shaver

a year ago

Very nice people lifeguards are great swimmers obviously very clean and tidy space. Can do canning balls but not front flips for danger reasons love the slide little crowded but not much

Contact Information

8219 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97220, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.1
Total Reviews161
Recent Reviews5