Toronto SwimTO readies beaches, outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads for opening
Toronto, ON., June 10, 2020 — Today, Mayor John Tory announced SwimTO – a quick-start program that will expedite the opening of the City’s beaches, outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads. City staff are preparing now so that outdoor aquatic amenities can be opened when Toronto enters Stage 2, to help people cool down during hot summer temperatures.
SwimTO will help ensure that all Torontonians can safely access outdoor aquatic ways to cool down during hot summer temperatures as Toronto begins to reopen. With the approach of hot summer weather and the extended closure of many indoor public spaces, it’s vital that Torontonians to have opportunities to cool down outdoors. When permitted, the City plans to open its outdoor aquatic amenities to prevent heat related-illnesses while continuing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Toronto beaches have remained open in the same way green spaces in parks have been open. Beaches are not closed under Province of Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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. Swimming without the supervision of a lifeguard or outside designated swim areas is not recommended. 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 on July 1. Rouge Valley Beach is currently inaccessible, and a supervised swim program will not operate there.
Right now, outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads remain closed due to provincial orders and public health recommendations. City staff are preparing now so that we can act quickly to open outdoor aquatic amenities following the amendment of the Province’s orders and Toronto’s participation in Ontario’s Stage 2 reopening.
Significant work is underway to expedite the opening of outdoor pools, splash pads and wading pools including:
- hiring and training staff
- turning water on and filling outdoor pools
- turning on mechanical and filtration systems
- creating signage that clarifies expectations for physical distancing and hygiene
- establishing health guidelines that will ensure these amenities can be operational as soon as possible after they are permitted.
As part of the SwimTO plan, people can expect to visit any of the City’s 140 splashpads within a week of being permitted to open. Outdoor pools and wading pools would follow thereafter.
It is expected that capacity at outdoor pools will be significantly reduced. Staff are awaiting provincial guidelines and will prioritize leisure swims throughout the day in order to give as many swimmers as possible the opportunity to cool off.
While visiting a beach or park, people must practise physical distancing and avoid crowding. 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.
Toronto beaches and parks provide many opportunities for aquatic recreation, escaping the summer heat and enjoying the calming effect of nature. Toronto boasts some of the best swimming beaches around. 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. These beaches are perfect for taking a swim during the hot summer months. More information about Blue Flag certification is available at toronto.ca/health/swimsafe/beaches_blueflag.htm.
More information on Toronto beaches and swimming in the city is available at toronto.ca/beaches and toronto.ca/swim.
SOURCE City of Toronto
