Water Fun in Brant

When the Brant County summer turns hot, there is no shortage of ways to cool off close to home. Between a full outdoor water park, a string of free splash pads, big outdoor pools, and the Grand River winding right through the heart of it all, families here are spoiled for choice. Whether you want a full day of waterslides or just a quick splash after the park, here is your guide to water fun across Brantford and Brant County.

Earl Haig Family Fun Park

If you are after a proper day out, Earl Haig is the headliner. Brantford’s outdoor water park at 101 Market Street South packs in a leisure pool, a lazy river, a waterslide, and a splash pad, plus mini-putt and a snack shack to keep everyone happy. It is the kind of place you arrive at mid-morning and leave at dinnertime. It opens on weekends as the season starts in late spring, then runs daily through the summer to Labour Day.

Splash pads (and they are free)

For a no-fuss way to let the kids burn off energy and cool down, you cannot beat a splash pad. They are free, they are everywhere, and there is no need to pack for a full pool day. Between the city and the county, there are eight to choose from.

In Brantford, the City runs five splash pads, generally open daily through the warm months from late morning into the evening, weather permitting:

• Anderson Road Park, 70 Anderson Road
• Bridle Path Park, 55 Palomino Drive
• Harmony Square, 89 Dalhousie Street (right downtown, and a skating rink in winter)
• Mohawk Park, 51 Lynwood Drive
• Tutela Park, 160 Erie Avenue

You can check current splash pad status on the City of Brantford website.

In the County of Brant, there are three more, in the villages and towns around Brantford:

• Paris, at Lions Park (80 Laurel Street), alongside the community pool
• Burford, at the Burford Community Centre (14 Potter Drive)
• St. George, at Sunny Hill Park (87 Sunnyside Drive)

The County’s splash pads typically run from late May into the early fall. Hours and any seasonal closures are posted on the County of Brant aquatics page.

Outdoor pools for a real swim

When a splash pad will not cut it and you want to actually swim, the area has a couple of standout outdoor pools.

Over in the pretty town of Paris, where the Nith River meets the Grand, the Paris Community Pool at Lions Park (80 Laurel Street) offers public swims, family swims, aquafit, and lessons through the summer, with the splash pad right beside it for the little ones.

And tucked into a bend of the Grand just off Highway 403, Brant Park (Brant Conservation Area) is home to one of the largest outdoor pools in Canada, a 1.25-acre pool with a splash pad and a gently sloping entry that suits all ages. There is a small per-person pool fee on top of the conservation area day-use fee, and lifejackets are there to borrow.

Looking for the indoor options too, like the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre or the downtown YMCA? We rounded those up in our full guide to indoor and outdoor pools in Brantford.

Get out on the Grand

It would not be a Brant County water guide without the river itself. The Grand is a Canadian Heritage River, and it runs right through Brantford and Paris, making it a favourite for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing on a warm afternoon. Several local outfitters rent boats and run guided paddles in the summer, and the conservation areas along the banks make easy launch and picnic spots. Natural water always carries some risk, so check conditions, wear a lifejacket, and keep a close eye on young paddlers.

Soak up a Brant County summer

Easy access to all of this, splash pads down the street, a water park across town, big pools and a Heritage River minutes away, is one of the quiet joys of living here. If you are dreaming of a home near your favourite swimming spot, we would love to help you find the right neighbourhood. Browse homes for sale across Brantford and Brant County, or get in touch with our team any time. Stay cool out there!