Summertime is fleeting in Toronto and, although the city has beautiful Lake Ontario beaches, the water is cold even during a heat wave. So we turn to the plentiful public neighbourhood pools run by the City of Toronto. There are 58 spread all over the megacity (you can see the city’s full list here), but lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list our favourites listed by area.

Visitors to our city may not be aware that pool use is paid by local tax dollars and is FREE, even if you don’t live here!

***For 2021, all pools are operating under reduced capacity and waterslides are closed. Swimming times are divided into hour-long slots: entry is at the top of the hour with cleaning at the 45-minute mark. Reservations can be made by Toronto residents – more information here. Mask-wearing is required in line and in indoor spaces, such as washrooms.

Downtown Core

Alex Duff Memorial Pool – In Christie Pits Park, at Bloor West and Christie. Separate shallow pool for small kids, separate conversation pool, separate diving pool, ramp access, two-storey waterslide.

Alexandra Park Outdoor Pool – At Bathurst and Dundas St. West. Nearby splash pad and skatepark.

East End/East York

Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pool – On Woodbine Beach, at Lake Shore East and Woodbine Ave. Raised level, with separate Olympic-length lap pool, and 5 and 10-metre platform diving area.

Monarch Park – South of Danforth, between Greenwood and Coxwell. Large pool with two-storey waterslide, curved-off deep end with diving board and separate wading pool.

Riverdale East Park – On Broadview Ave. between Danforth and Gerrard. Separate deep end section, shallow area water-sprinkler feature, waterslide. This park is also a great spot to watch the sunset over downtown.

Kiwanis Outdoor Pool – In Stan Wadlow Park, near Woodbine and Cosburn. Separate deep end section, waterslide.

West End/York

Giovanni Caboto Pool – In Earlscourt Park, at St. Clair West and Lansdowne. Large pool with curved-off deep end, waterslide and nearby wading pool.

High Park Outdoor Pool – In High Park, at Bloor Street West and Parkside Drive. Large pool with separate lap-swimming area, waterslide, ramp into pool, and nearby wading pool and splash pad.

Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool – In Sunnyside Park, south of High Park and the Gardiner Expressway. Located lakefront by Martin Goodman bike trail. Nearby bike park, marked lap-swimming section and ramp into pool.

Weston Lions Park Pool – On Lawrence Ave. West along the Humber River, near Scarlett Road. Separate small kids pool, nearby skatepark and splash pad.

Etobicoke

Amos Waite Park Pool – South of Lake Shore Ave. West between Parkside and Royal York. Lakefront with nearby pirate-themed splash pad.

Pine Point Park Outdoor Pool – At Weston Road just north of Hwy 401. Separate accessible zero-entry shallow pool with water-sprinkler feature.

Rotary Peace Park Outdoor Pool – South of Lake Shore Ave. West near Islington. Close to lake with separate shallow area and ramp into pool.

North York

Goulding Community Centre Pool – In Golding Park, near Yonge and Steele Streets. Fully accessible with ramp into pool and water-sprinkler feature.

North Toronto Memorial Community Centre – In Eglinton Park, at Eglinton Ave. West and Oriole Parkway. U-shaped pool with straight slide in the middle and nearby indoor pool.

Parkway Forest Outdoor Pool – Near Don Mills Road and Sheppard East. Two sections, fully accessible with a ramp into pool and nearby splash pad.

Scarborough

Heron Park Community Centre Pool – At Lawrence Avenue East and Manse Road. Ramp into pool and waterslide.

McGregor Park Community Centre Pool – On Lawrence Avenue East, between Kennedy and Birchmount. Fully accessible with ramp into pool.

Monarch Pool

Monarch Park’s outdoor pool in the east end. Photo credit: Melissa Mohaupt

Update: Nine pools around town have extended their season until Sunday, September 19! These include some of our favourites as listed above: Alex Duff, Heron Park, McGregor Park, Monarch Park, Parkway Forest, Pine Point and Sunnyside. Click here for more information.

Looking for more Summer Outdoor activities? Click here for more!

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