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News Release - City of Toronto making a splash with the early opening of 10 wading pools and outdoor pools

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

June 14, 2024

City of Toronto making a splash with the early opening of 10 wading pools and outdoor pools

Starting Saturday, June 15, residents can grab their swimwear and hop in to cool off at one of the City of Toronto’s 10 wading pools and 10 outdoor pools that will be open earlier than last year and operate on part time schedules.

Like many cities around the world, Toronto is experiencing warmer temperatures earlier in the year. Opening some outdoor and wading pools sooner demonstrates the City’s ongoing commitment to respond to climate change and provides residents with more options for staying cool before summer officially arrives.

For more information on all the City’s outdoor and indoor swim offerings including hours of operation, pool use guidelines and supervision requirements, visit the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/swimming/

Wading pool locations

The following wading pools will open on Saturday, June 15:

• Don Russell Memorial Park
• Eglinton Park
• High Park
• Kew Gardens
• Knob Hill Park
• McCormick Park
• Prairie Drive
• Rexlington Park
• Riverdale Park West
• Woburn Park

Hours of operation vary by location and residents are asked to check ahead before heading out. More information can be found on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/alerts/swim/index.html

All other wading pools across the city will open for the season on Friday, June 28.

Outdoor pools

The following pools will also open on Saturday, June 15 and operate on a partial schedule (evenings and weekends only):

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool
• Heron Park Community Centre
• Kiwanis Outdoor Pool
• McGregor Park Community Centre
• North York Memorial Community Centre
• Parkway Forest Outdoor Pool
• Pine Point Park Outdoor Pool
• Riverdale Park East
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool
• West Mall Outdoor Pool

All available outdoor pools will be open on weekends and evenings beginning Saturday, June 22 and operate on a full summer schedule beginning Friday, June 28.

Splash pads

Splash pads have been open since May 17 and run daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Lifeguards are also on duty daily at ten City beaches from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The City's outdoor pool leisure swim program is free for all ages and no reservations are required. Outdoor lane swim is free and open to swimmers seven years of age and older for swimming continuous lengths or widths.

Quotes:

“There is nothing better than being in an outdoor swimming or wading pool on a hot sunny day. With the warmer weather upon us, residents can now stay cool and enjoy the outdoors sooner. And, for the first time ever, we are opening 10 wading pools early. I want to personally thank all City staff who have worked swiftly to ensure we are back on track when it comes to opening our water assets.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

“Our pools are important spaces for families to keep enjoying the summer. As we feel the heat sooner and longer than before, opening outdoor pool operations will help many stay cool and healthy.”
- Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee

“Getting our pools opened is no easy feat. The preparation that goes into the summer swimming pool operation includes an average of 23 hours of training per staff for the more than 3,000 part time aquatic staff who will help provide close to 66,000 hours of recreation time and opportunities to cool off to Torontonians over the summer months.”
- Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Davenport), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee

Media opportunity

Mayor Olivia Chow will be cooling off at one of the 10 wading pools set to open on Saturday. Journalists are invited to join the Mayor for a fun photo opportunity.

Date: Sunday, June 16
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Eglinton Park Wading Pool (200 Eglinton Ave W.)
Parking: Free parking can be found on the side streets or for a small nominal fee there is ample parking underground located at North Toronto Memorial Community Centre. The wading pool is a short walk away.

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.   

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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