Friends of Pier Park Meeting Notes with Adena Long
Subsequent to the August 2024 Pier Park Pool Party and a series of posts on the FoPP website that are linked in the content below, Portland Parks Director Adena Long suggested she meet with the FoPP Board.
Meeting Date: 11/18/2024
Location: The Portland Building
Call to Order Time: 5:30 PM
In Attendance: Director Adena Long, Jill Hutchinson (Capital Projects Manager for Portland Parks), Kimberléa Ruffu (Parks Liaison), Steve Davis (FoPP Chair), Stephanie Lamonica (FoPP Vice Chair and 2023 Portland Parks Foundation Parks Champion), Katie Emry (FoPP Secretary), Mary Ann Aschenbrenner (FoPP Member), Will Lewis (FoPP member), and Keola Morley (FoPP Member).
Meeting Notes
Pool Repair Updates
Several pool contractors have looked at Pier Pool to determine the cause of the leaks. The decision is to replace all 22 original cast iron inlets around the pool perimeter along with the piping around the pool.
Additionally, there are leaks where the concrete walls meet the floor of the pool and in cracks crossing the pool floor that will be repaired. Leaks are identified by green markings.
While the contractors were identifying where the pool was leaking, they also discovered that the boiler needed to be replaced before reopening Pier Pool because it would not have lasted the 2025 season. The boiler will also be replaced as part of this project.
However, the World War II Victory Ship Pump, rebuilt a few years ago, is in good shape and will not be replaced.
2014 Parks Bond
Director Long reported that in the 2014 Parks Bond several pools across the City were identified as needing maintenance work. Pier Pool on that list. According to Director Long it was the only pool on the list that was not repaired.
Learn More
Learn more about the 2014 Parks Bond and how Pier and Columbia pools were left out while ‘Grant Pool got the money’ at “3 Pools, 3 Neighborhoods, 2 Outcomes.“
Pier Pool Maintenance and Repair Schedule
Repairs to the pool outlined above are currently in the design phase. Permits are in process and bidding is happening. A contractor will be selected and construction is expected to start in March with the pool reopening in time for the summer 2025 swim season.
Additional Improvements
Fencing
Bear-claw style fencing will replace the current fencing around the pool. This is being done with Federal Pandemic funds. The new fencing will arch out around the top making climbing over it and into the pool more difficult.
Park Benches
A total of five ADA accessible benches, defined as having an armrest, back, and being close to an accessible path, will be added to Pier Park and installed as weather allows, in the spring after winter rains subside enough to allow concrete pads to be poured.
Benches Note
Park benches were one of the requests made at the Pier Park Pool Party held in August of 2024. Read “Pier Pool Officially Closed. Now What?” and specifically the section of the post titled, “Pier Park, No Benches for You” for background information.
We should also note that Chair Davis along with Stephanie, Keola, and Carol Meckes who conducted the original research and comparison of park benches between Pier and other parks, walked the park with Parks personnel on September 4th to identify future bench locations. Conditions factored in include ADA accessibility, clearance from overhanging branches, scenic views, and pedestrian traffic patterns.
Continuing Advocacy Needed
Even with these repairs, because the original pool cement will continue to degrade over time, the lifespan of Pier Pool is estimated at 5 – 10 years.
Director Long recommended lobbying our new District 2 Directors to fund the capital program and help Portland Parks be financially sustainable and able to replace Pier Pool’s shell and other assets as well as provide continued maintenance. She indicated that PP&R needs a $600 to $800 million bond for current assets. That does not include maintenance money for new facilities.
District 2 Councilors
In November the following councilors were elected to represent our district:
- Elana Pirtle-Guiney
- Sameer Kanal
- Dan Ryan
Q: Is the planned North Portland Aquatic Center a replacement for Pier Pool?
A: No!
Director Long was asked if the planned North Portland Aquatic Center was intended as a replacement for Pier Pool. She replied, “No. The aquatic centers are not meant to replace any of the outdoor pools.”
Director Long went on to say that the Portland’s outdoor pools are needed as summertime cooling centers.
Pier Pool Updates Available
Check for updates on the Portland Parks website about the ongoing work at Pier Pool, Portland Parks/Pier Outdoor Pool.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:30 pm
