Not Too Cool for Pools

Stay cool—and pool your resources for fun this summer.

Had enough of splash pads? Take the troops pool-hopping this summer. Toronto offers 58 outdoor pools across the city and the best part is, family swimming is free (just don’t forget your change for lockers).

Starting Saturday, most of Toronto’s outdoor pools will be open for the season. Dive into our top six picks:

After an extensive renovation, Sunnyside pool (also known as The Gus Ryder Pool) has re-opened. Located at the base of Parkside Drive at Lake Shore Blvd., this pool offers plenty of parking and a newly renovated change room with ample locker space. The nearby café offers drinks and concession-style food throughout the summer.

The Beach’s most popular outdoor pool, the Donald D. Summerville Pool, offers an Olympic-sized pool, a 25-metre children’s pool and a diving pool with 10-metre diving boards overlooking Woodbine and Lake Shore. If you’re driving, we recommend you get there early to have a better shot at nearby parking. If your group is up for a post-swim snack, there are a variety of nearby restaurants to choose from. There are also plenty of playgrounds within walking distance if your kids need to burn off a little more energy.

A waterslide, wading pool and splash pad make The High Park Pool ideal for families. Snack stand vendors are easy to find and the nearby park grounds are also great for picnicking before or après swim. Lush walking paths, a fantastic playground and a unique zoo surround the High Park Pool so there’s no shortage of things to do.

Located at the corner of Christie and Bloor, the Alex Duff Outdoor Pool or ‘Duff’ as locals like to call it, is popular with families. The warm conversion pool (read: large hot tub) is a big draw for locals and fits up to a maximum of 60 people. The ‘Duff’ has a 25-metre lap pool, a shallow splash pool for kids as well as a deep diving pool. Did we mention it also has a two-storey waterslide? Get there early as this popular pool gets busy in the afternoons when local camps drop in. Parking on nearby streets is hit-and-miss but it’s just steps from the Christie TTC station.

Although we love the city, what we love most about Riverdale Pool during the day is that it makes you almost forget you’re in the city. Plan a trip to nearby Riverdale Farm before or after a swim at this large neighbourhood pool. It overlooks the Don Valley (not the traffic, the greenery) and has a waterslide. Parking along Broadview (note the posted times as parking officers are merciless) is available at the top of the hill.

We’re cheating a bit here because this is technically not a pool but one look at all the water amenities offered at Kidstown Water Playground in Scarborough will make them forget all about the deep end. This splash-tastic water playground, for kids 12 and under, features a large wading pool and slide with buckets that splash overhead and animals and rings that spray water.

We say take advantage of summer and bring the kids somewhere new and different. Life is an adventure so be a tourist in your own city and discover some great new pools. Tested by Alison R., Toronto

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