Calgarians don’t need to worry about melting in the summer sun – the city is home to many outdoor pools, wading pools, and spray parks, all of which are located in communities and parks with other activities that children and families can enjoy. Residents are also lucky because many of these outdoor water facilities have recently undergone renovations to make them more safe and accessible for everyone to use. Whether residents are looking for a new weekly activity, or a fun weekend outing with friends and family, Calgary has many affordable options to help beat the heat this summer.

 

Silver Springs Outdoor Pool

Location: 5720 Silver Ridge Drive NW

Public swim time: Weekdays and weekends, 1 – 7:30 p.m.

After a few delays and much anticipation, the Silver Springs outdoor pool has finally re-opened after undergoing extensive renovations. This brand-new facility opened in June and will offer community swimming as well as Red Cross swimming lessons for the summer season. In addition to the children’s swim programs, adults can also join Deep Water Workout classes which offers an extra challenge for fitness lovers by incorporating exercises in the water. The facility is also available for private rentals on weeknights and weekends. A full schedule and admission rates can be found here.

 

Bowness Park Wading Pool

Location: 8900 48 Avenue NW

Open: Weekdays and weekends, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The new Bowness Park wading pool also recently opened for public use and features a large shallow pool perfect for young children at the far end of the lagoon. While there is only one main parking lot in the park, the wading pool is only a short walk away. If you come at the right time, you might be able to catch a ride on the small train, which stops right outside the wading pool! Train times are listed here. The park also has plenty of picnic sites, playgrounds, and water sports at the lagoon to enjoy before or after a visit to the wading pool.

 

Rotary Park Spray Park

Location: 617 1 Street NE

Open: Weekdays and weekends, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The Rotary Spray Park is a fun and accessible spray park that is perfect for kids on a hot summer day! The park offers a variety of different water pieces and equipment for children to use, and the rubber flooring makes it easy for kids to run around without having to worry about tripping or falling. This park is also monitored by an attendant during park hours. While there are not a lot of picnic sites nearby, there are benches that parents can use, and the park also offers regular playgrounds and an off-leash area for pets.

 

 

Mount Pleasant Outdoor Pool

Location: 2310 6 Street NW

Public swim time: Weekdays 4 – 8 p.m., weekends 1 – 8 p.m.

The Mount Pleasant heated pool has something for everyone, including a slide for children to enjoy, and lane swimming for skilled swimmers. This accessible outdoor pool provides a variety of certification and swimming classes for children and adults throughout July and August (registration must be done in person or by email for private lessons). Drop-in lessons are also available for adults on Monday evenings. For a full schedule and more information on admission, visit the website here.

 

Riley Park Wading Pool

Location: 800 12 Street NW

Open: Weekdays and weekends, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The wading pool at Riley Park is a great place for adults and children to cool off after viewing the Senator Patrick Burns Memorial Rock Gardens, playing on the playground, or watching a cricket match. The park has plenty of parking and a concession which are both conveniently located near the wading pool. The large wading pool also features a small island in the middle of the wading pool, where visitors can stop to take a break and enjoy the sun while using the wading pool. While there are no picnic sites to book, there is plenty of green space around the wading pool where guests can set up a blanket, towel and sun umbrella for a picnic lunch or snack break.

 

South Glenmore Park Spray Park

Location: 8415 24 Street SW

Open: Weekdays and weekends, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Within South Glenmore Park is the Variety Children’s park, which features a spray park in the summer months. The Children’s park was just opened in 2015, so the equipment is relatively new. There is plenty of parking located close by the spray park, as well as many picnic sites that are perfect to use for a quick snack break or picnic lunch. These sites can be booked online ahead of time, but be sure to reserve a spot in advance as they book up fast. Most of the spray park is accessible, so children of all abilities can use the equipment and join in the fun!