Here are some of our favourite outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and spray parks. Get the sunscreen out and get ready to make the most of our short outdoor pool season by swimming in one (or all) of these pools this summer.
Be sure to check each pool’s schedule ahead of time.
Bowview Outdoor Pool
Where to find it:
1910 6 Ave. N.W.
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
First off, there’s a mushroom waterfall here.
Second, there’s not just one but two heated pools at this location. The main swimming pool is for the fitness enthusiasts. There are six lanes in this 25-metre pool and it ranges from one metre to three metres in depth. The other pool is a shallow wading pool. For those who just want to have fun and work on their tan, there’s a 1.8-metre-high water slide at the edge of the lap pool.
Forest Lawn Outdoor Pool
Where to find it:
1706 39 St. S.E.
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
This location has it all: an eight-lane, 25-metre lap pool with a water slide, a wading pool and a spray park. All the pools are heated – you can work on that tan and get a few laps in, even on a chilly day.
Highwood Outdoor Pool
Due to renovations, Highwood Outdoor Pool will not be open for the 2019 season.
Where to find it:
25 Holmwood Ave. N.W.
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
It’s located right in Highwood Park, a perfectly lush location for a gentle morning swim. It’s also the perfect pool to visit if you’re planning on first going for a hike in Nose Hill Park – the pool is just a 20-minute walk from the 14 St. N.W. side of the park. Cool off in either the lap pool or the wading pool afterward.
Millican Ogden Outdoor Pool
Where to find it:
2094 69 Ave. S.E.
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
This heated pool is 25-metres with two water slides. The pool is one metre deep on the shallow end and 3.9 metres on the deepest end.
Mount Pleasant Outdoor Pool
Where to find it:
2310 6 St. N.W.
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
This is the perfect outdoor pool for a weekend family outing. The one pool here has a zero depth entry area and there’s an above deck water slide in the deep end.
This pool also has plenty of shade. Sit under one of the many trees surrounding the pool or lounge under the gazebo with an icy drink from the concession when you’re tired of the sun.
South Calgary Outdoor Pool
Where to find it:
3130 16 St. S.W.
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
This T-shaped pool has a section with six 25-yard swimming lanes (there’s also a slide here) and an attached section for wading or less-serious swimming. Make the short trip into Marda Loop to visit Village Ice Cream and treat yourself to a cone afterwards.
Stanley Park Outdoor Pool
Where to find it:
4100 1A St. S.W.
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
There are two pools here: a main 25-metre pool with eight lanes and a wading pool with a spray deck. It also has a zero depth entry so you can slowly inch your way in or just get up to your knees. Mostly, we love that you can walk through Stanley Park and spend some time along the Elbow River, too.
Silver Springs Outdoor Pool
Where to find it:
5720 Silver Ridge Dr. NW
Cost:
Single admission: Ages 2 to 6, $1.75; ages 7 to 17, $3.50; adults 18 to 64, $7; seniors $3.50
10- and 30-admission passes are also available.
Why we love it:
The pool was renovated and reopened last season, featuring a ramp for more accessibility. The pool is very popular with families and younger kids because the large slots of public access. The pool offers Red Cross Swim Lessons in the morning Monday to Friday.
Spray parks and wading pools
Eau Claire Spray Park
Where to find it:
3 Street S.W. and Riverfront Ave. S.W.
Cost:
Free
Why we love it:
Its central location means you can stop by this spray park with the kids after a walk through Prince’s Island. Plus, Moo’s Country Ice Cream is right there.
Prairie Winds Spray Park
Where to find it:
223 Castleridge Blvd. N.E.
Cost:
Free
Why we love it:
Recently redeveloped, the new Prairie Winds Park officially opened to the public in June 2017. The park now includes an upgraded wading pool and a lazy river.
Riley Park Wading Pool
Where to find it:
800 12 St. N.W.
Cost:
Free
Why we love it:
This City-run wading pool is shallow and large, making it perfect for families with small children. There are also large trees nearby if you need some shade. This wading pool is a refreshing way to break up a hot day at the park – stop by to wade here after playing cricket, lounging in the park or wandering through Kensington.
Rotary Park Spray Park
Where to find it:
617 1 St. N.E.
Cost:
Free
Why we love it:
Cool off after a game of tennis at the nearby courts (operated by the Mount Pleasant Tennis Club) by standing under the buckets and spray tunnels at this spray park.
Valleyview Park Splash Park
Where to find it:
3224 26 St. S.E.
Cost:
Free
Why we love it:
This park is tucked right in between the communities of Dover and Southview. Valleyview Park is perfect for little kids who want some light splashing. If you want to feel the sand between your toes, Valleyview Park also has beach volleyball courts.
Variety Spray Park in South Glenmore Park
Where to find it:
90 Avenue and 24 Street S.W.
Cost:
Free
Why we love it:
Variety Spray Park is Calgary’s first barrier-free spray park. It opened last season completely revamped – thanks to the Rick Hansen Barrier Buster project – with ramps, stable surfaces and more to make it so kids in wheelchairs can play right alongside their friends. Until mid-June this year (2018), the fenced in portion of the park, including the Spray Park, will be closed while construction is completed on the playground.
