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Here's where to splash around in Portland under this weekend's sunny skies

Portland will see sunny skies and a burst of 80-90 degree weather on Friday and Saturday. Here are the best places to cool off outside.
Credit: Associated Press
Langstrom Kalstrom, left, and Violet Dashney run through the Salmon Street Springs fountain in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland is heading into a string of warm days this weekend, with temperatures forecast to possibly hit 90 degrees on Friday and get into the high 80s again on Saturday. Those aren't the kind of dangerous temperatures that the city tends to see later in the summer, but it's enough for officials to start cautioning residents to take care as they step outside to enjoy the sun.

Multnomah County updated the hot weather resources page on its website this week, reminding residents to drink more water and take cooling breaks when working or playing outside. The county is not planning to open dedicated cooling centers as of Friday morning, according to the website, but the county maintains a map of public sites where residents can duck inside to cool off, such as libraries and community centers, as well as public interactive fountains and splash pads. 

Portlanders looking to jump in a fountain have a half-dozen options this weekend:

  • Jamison Square, 810 NEW 11th Ave
  • Bill Naito Fountain at Waterfront Park, 98 SW Naito Parkway
  • Holladay Park, NE 11th Ave & NE Holladay St
  • McCoy Park, N Trenton St & Newman Ave
  • Teacher's Fountain at Director Park: 815 SE Park Ave
  • Salmon Springs Fountain at Waterfront Park, Naito Parkway and SW Salmon St

The Grant Park interactive fountain is still being prepped for the season and is NOT currently switched on, according to the city's website.

Portland's splash pad locations generally don't become active until mid-June, according to the city's website, but east county residents have two splash pad options this weekend, according to Multnomah County's map:

  • Children's Fountain, 401 NE Second St, Gresham
  • Donald L Robertson Park Splash Pad, 24300 NE Halsey St, Wood Village

Cathedral Park and Sellwood Riverfront Park are also open, but officials cautioned earlier this week that while outdoor temperatures may be soaring, the region's lakes and rivers remain dangerously cold, so people should take precautions when boating and may want to think twice about taking a dip in the Willamette River.

Washington and Clackamas counties also maintain online lists of available locations to cool off, including splash pads in Gladstone and Oregon City.

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