Toronto 
The city of Toronto has launched SwimTO plan, a quick-start program that will expedite the opening of the City’s beaches, outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads.
Mayor John Tory said the program will expedite the opening of the outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads following the amendment of the Province’s orders and Toronto’s participation in Ontario’s Stage 2 reopening.
Though the beaches within Toronto did not close during COVID-19 closures, the city discourages swimming without the supervision of a lifeguard. Swimming outside designated swim areas is not recommended.
Eight of Toronto’s 11 beaches have been awarded Blue Flag certification, meeting high standards for water quality, environmental management as well as education, safety and services.
As part of the SwimTO plan, lifeguards will return to six of Toronto’s swimming beaches on Monday, June 22.
Lifeguards will supervise each location daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The City will provide lifeguard supervision on swimming beaches coupled with comprehensive crowd management. Beach water quality testing and analysis will be completed by Toronto Public Health to ensure people can swim safely at Toronto beaches.
The six swimming beaches opening on June 22 are:
- Bluffer’s Park Beach (Blue Flag)
- Cherry/Clarke Beach (Blue Flag)
- Kew-Balmy Beach (Blue Flag)
- Marie Curtis Park East Beach
- Sunnyside Beach
- Woodbine Beach (Blue Flag)
The four Toronto Island Park beaches will open for swimming following the resumption of ferry service.
Rouge Valley Beach is currently inaccessible, and a supervised swim program will not operate there.
Outdoor Pools & Splash Pads
Outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads are currently closed.
The city of Toronto plans to reopen its outdoor aquatic amenities to prevent heat related-illnesses while continuing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
As part of the SwimTO plan, people can expect to visit any of the City’s 140 splash pads within a week of being permitted to open by the Province. Outdoor pools and wading pools would follow thereafter.
The city plans to reduce the capacity at outdoor pools. The City staff are awaiting provincial guidelines and plans to prioritize leisure swims throughout the day in order to give as many swimmers as possible the opportunity to cool off.
The city is reminding visitors to practise physical distancing and avoid crowding when visiting parks and other outdoor facilities.
Under the City’s physical distancing bylaw, any two people who don’t live together, who fail to keep two metres of distance between them in a City park or public square, can receive a $1,000 ticket. Under the Province’s Emergency Order, a social gathering or organized public event of more than 10 people is prohibited unless everyone gathered together lives in the same household.
