A strategic goal for Portland Parks & Recreation is that all Portlanders have safe, welcoming places and programs to learn, play, and discover. Access to swim lessons is a life-saving service provided by Portland Parks & Recreation.

The number of individuals taking swim lessons is up significantly from the low levels experienced during the pandemic years but is down slightly in the most recent year due to the closure of Mt Scott Community Center for remodeling repairs.  Approximately 67% of unique swim lesson users are reporting race/ethnicity data to PP&R.  Of those reporting 49% identify as white, 10% identify as Asian, 7% identify as Black/African American, 7% identify as Latino and 11% identify as multi racial.  The remaining 16% chose decline, were other race/ethnicities, or were unknown.   

Unique users taking swim lessons is tracked in the bureau's reservation system, called Active Net.

More general information about PP&R pools and swim lessons can be found on the PP&R Swimming Pools and Lessons webpage.