Dufferin Grove Park Wading Pool Improvements

The City is improving the wading pool at Dufferin Grove Park. The current wading pool has reached the end of its lifecycle, and as part of this project we are exploring whether it should be replaced with a new wading pool or converted into a splash pad. Community engagement is planned to begin in spring 2026 and will help shape the project direction and future design.
  • Summer to Fall 2026: Hire a design team
  • Summer 2026: Community Engagement Phase 1
  • Fall 2026: Community Engagement Phase 2
  • Spring 2027: Community Engagement Phase 3 and detailed design
  • Summer 2027: Hire a construction team
  • Fall 2027: Construction starts, wading pool closes
  • Spring 2028: Construction complete, wading pool reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

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Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as an Involve project based on the International Association of Public Participation Spectrum. This means we work directly with the public, stakeholders, and rightsholders throughout the design process to ensure that ideas and aspirations are understood and considered in the wading pool improvements.

In this phase, the City will work with the community to understand their priorities for the wading pool improvements, including whether a majority of the community prefers the wading pool be converted into a splash pad.

The anticipated outcome of this phase includes learning whether the community would prefer the wading pool be improved or converted into a splash pad.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

July 2026

Online Survey

From July 3 to 17, an online survey collected feedback on the community’s preferences for the wading pool improvements from 223 respondents.

Feedback Summary

Overall, 54 per cent of respondents supported replacing the wading pool with a new splash pad, 41 per cent supported repairing the wading pool only, and five per cent were unsure or had no opinion.

Respondents who supported replacing the wading pool with a new splash pad were asked why they prefer this option. The top reasons selected were:

  • Splash pads use fresh water rather than stagnant or chemically treated water (78 per cent)
  • Splash pads encourage more active, exciting play (69 per cent)
  • Splash pads involve a lower risk of drowning (67 per cent)
  • Splash pads are more fun (65 per cent)

20 respondents provided additional reasons for why they supported replacing the wading pool with a new splash pad. The top themes in these comments were:

  • Splash pads have longer opening hours and a longer operating season (eight comments)
  • Splash pads are usable by people of all ages (three comments)

Respondents who supported repairing or improving the wading pool were asked why they prefer this option. The top reasons selected were:

  • Wading pools provide a swimming pool-like experience (76 per cent)
  • Wading pools are more fun (63 per cent)
  • I like that wading pools are supervised by a lifeguard (51 per cent)
  • Wading pools provide calm play (49 per cent)

35 respondents provided additional reasons for why they supported repairing or improving the wading pool. The top themes in these comments were:

  • Wading pools are usable by people of all ages (seven comments)
  • There are few wading pools in the area (seven comments)
  • Wading pools are better for younger children (six comments)
  • Wading pools’ lifeguard requirements provide summer employment opportunities (six comments)
  • Wading pools provide opportunities for creative play (five comments)  

Respondents were asked what type of seating they would like near the improved wading pool or new splash pad. The three most desired types of seating were:

  • Benches (78 per cent)
  • Tables with shade umbrellas (69 per cent)
  • Picnic tables (65 per cent)

54 respondents provided additional comments for how the Dufferin Grove Park wading pool or splash pad could be made more accessible and welcoming for all users. The top themes in these comments were:

  • About the types of seating (17 comments), particularly requesting accessible seating (nine comments)
  • Requests to add or keep existing shade (12 comments)
  • Requests for more seating (six comments)

Should the community support converting the wading pool into a splash pad, the City and its design consultant will work off the outcomes of Community Engagement Phase 1 to propose two to three design options. These will be presented to the community for feedback, which will be used to develop a preferred design for the splash pad.

The anticipated community engagement activities in this phase include:

  • an online survey
  • a youth engagement or pop-up event

The anticipated outcome of this phase is the selection of a preferred design.

In this phase, the final design for the splash pad will be shared with the community and on this page and with the project mailing list. The project will then move into detailed design, where the design team will work through the technical details and plans for the construction contractor.
Date modified: August 11, 2026