Residents and visitors are reminded to take to be safe when attending beaches and local recreational areas:
- Follow all parking restrictions in the area. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, the beach is at capacity. Do not park on the roadway.
- Pack your reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Be aware that the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and municipal smoking by-laws restrict smoking and vaping at area beaches, parks, playgrounds and sports fields. Any person who sees people smoking, vaping, or using cannabis at beaches and within park boundaries may report a violation by phoning the PPH Tobacco Enforcement Officers at 705-743-1000 or reporting the offence online at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/sfoa.
The City of Peterborough only provides Lifeguards to supervise Beavermead Beach and City wading pools from the last Saturday of June until about the third week of August. There are also unsupervised Splash Pads around the city.
Splash pads
Splash pads are a fantastic place for children to enjoy cool water on a hot and sunny day in the summer. The splash pads include features such as water jellies, spray tunnels, tipping pots and water willows.
Hours of operation
- Open daily in the Summer: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There are eight unsupervised splash pads in City of Peterborough parks.
- Rogers Cove, 131 Maria St.
- Nicholls Oval Park, 725 Armour Rd.
- King Edward Park, 455 George St. S.
- Turner Park, corner of Chamberlain and High streets
- Hamilton Park, 575 Bonaccord St.
- Barnardo Park, Barnardo Avenue north of Sunset Blvd.
- Kinsmen Park, 1 Kinsmen Way (Sherbrooke Street and Clonsilla Avenue)
- Water feature at Quaker Foods City Square, 215 Charlotte St.
Splash pad locations
| King Edward Park, 455 George St. S. |
| Nicholls Oval, 725 Armour Rd. |
| Rogers Cove, 131 Maria St. |
| Kinsmen Park, 1 Kinsmen Way (Sherbrooke Street and Clonsilla Avenue) |
| Barnardo Park, Barnardo Avenue north of Sunset Boulevard |
| Turner Park, corner of Chamberlain and High streets |
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Hamilton Park - 575 Bonaccord St. |
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We do not provide lifeguard supervision at splash pads. Children should be accompanied by an adult at splash pads.
Beavermead Beach is the only Supervised Beach in the City of Peterborough. There are no Lifeguards on duty and no beach maintenance until the Summer season, 2025. Swimming without supervision is not recommended.
The Ontario Life Saving Society Water Smart Campaign encourages the following practices:
- Swim in supervised areas
- Stay within arms' reach of children under five
- Stay On Guard! Supervision of children and non-swimmers is key
- Always swim with a buddy
- Alcohol and water don't mix. Don't drink and swim. Don't drink and drive your boat
- Always wear a lifejacket when you are in a boat
- Take swimming lessons
| Beavermead beach at Beavermead Park, 2011 Ashburnham Dr. |
Beavermead Beach has a beach access mat that provides a walkway across the sand into the water, improving accessibility for everyone.
Water quality monitoring
Peterborough Public Health monitors the water quality at our beaches and posts their water quality reports online. We also place a flag or sign at the beaches to indicate the status of the water quality when lifeguards are present. For more information on water quality reporting at the public beaches, please contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000.
Supervised wading pools
We have two supervised wading pools in our community. The wading pools are small, shallow pools for young children typically up to eight years old. Lifeguards supervise the pools from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week, beginning June 29, until August 23, 2025.
Parents must accompany their children at the wading pools. You cannot leave your child unattended.
Wading pool locations:
| Chelsea Gardens Park, Southlawn Drive and Severn Road |
| John Taylor Memorial Park, McKellar Street and St. Catherine Street |
