Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Patrons wasted no time jumping into the new Rising Eddy Community Pool on Monday. Neighborhood kids, their families and even the mayor of Portland took turns going down the water slides and splashing in the water.
The new facility located in the Libbytown neighborhood replaces the old Kiwanis Community Pool at 165 Douglass St., which originally opened in 1961.
In 2019, the city launched plans to revitalize the community pool. It was originally projected to cost $12 million funded by the city and COVID-era relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
But due to inflation and rising costs of construction, the project had a budget gap of over $1 million in 2024. Ethan Hipple, the city's director of parks, recreation and facilities management, said the project was at risk of losing amenities like the water slides.
But he says community fundraising by the Portland Parks Conservancy helped close the funding gap in less than a year. More than 150 individuals, families, foundations, civic groups and businesses contributed to a fundraising campaign.
"We asked them to raise $1 million and they agreed, they actually ended up raising $1.25 million, which enabled us to bring back the slide and all the features that are really going to bring this place to life," he said.
With more heat waves expected this summer due to the super El Nino recorded in the Pacific Ocean, Hipple said the pool will improve community health by giving residents a place to cool off.
Swimming lessons will also be offered, which Hipple says could improve safety in Maine's rivers and coastlines.
The pool will have operating hours seven days a week. Residents are required to buy day passes or season passes in advance on the city's website.
🖋️: Michael Livingston
Patrons wasted no time jumping into the new Rising Eddy Community Pool on Monday. Neighborhood kids, their families and even the mayor of Portland took turns going down the water slides and splashing in the water.
The new facility located in the Libbytown neighborhood replaces the old Kiwanis Community Pool at 165 Douglass St., which originally opened in 1961.
In 2019, the city launched plans to revitalize the community pool. It was originally projected to cost $12 million funded by the city and COVID-era relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
But due to inflation and rising costs of construction, the project had a budget gap of over $1 million in 2024. Ethan Hipple, the city's director of parks, recreation and facilities management, said the project was at risk of losing amenities like the water slides.
But he says community fundraising by the Portland Parks Conservancy helped close the funding gap in less than a year. More than 150 individuals, families, foundations, civic groups and businesses contributed to a fundraising campaign.
"We asked them to raise $1 million and they agreed, they actually ended up raising $1.25 million, which enabled us to bring back the slide and all the features that are really going to bring this place to life," he said.
With more heat waves expected this summer due to the super El Nino recorded in the Pacific Ocean, Hipple said the pool will improve community health by giving residents a place to cool off.
Swimming lessons will also be offered, which Hipple says could improve safety in Maine's rivers and coastlines.
The pool will have operating hours seven days a week. Residents are required to buy day passes or season passes in advance on the city's website.
🖋️: Michael Livingston
