Located in central Edmonton, Borden Natural Swimming Pool is Canada’s first public, man-made, natural swimming pool located in beautiful Borden Park.
It is surrounded by sand and plenty of lounge space with umbrellas, making it a perfect destination to enjoy a summer day. As no chemicals are used to disinfect the water, the guidelines of the pool are different from other outdoor pools. Please read the pool guidelines before visiting the facility.
Outdoor Pools Opening Schedule
Outdoor pools are scheduled to open for the 2026 season on the following dates, weather and air quality permitting:
- Wîhkwêntôwin: May 20
- Mill Creek: May 23
- Queen Elizabeth: To be Decided
- Fred Broadstock: June 6
- Borden Natural Swimming Pool: June 20
Accessibility
Borden Natural Swimming Pool is fully accessible.
Learn more about Accessibility Ratings.
Single Visit Rates
(Value Type Admission)
Adult (18-64 years): $9.75
Youth/Senior (13-17 years): $8.25
Child (2-12 years): $6.50
Infant (Under 2 years): Free
Household (up to 7 people from the same home): $26.50
Reservations are not required but are recommended. Statutory holidays are drop-in only.
Memberships
Unlimited access to these pools is included with all City of Edmonton Recreation Centre memberships, including the Summer Child and Youth Pass.
New Member?
Create an account to buy a new membership.
Existing Member?
Log in to access your Move Learn Play account.
Pool Amenities
- Main Swimming Pool
- 42 metres long, 2 metres deep
- Zero depth entry
- Temperature: 24 degrees Celsius
- Teach Pool
- 9 metres long, width: 16.8 metres
- Zero depth entry to 0.6 metres
- Temperature: 24 degrees Celsius
Facility Amenities
- Universal change rooms
- Sun deck and picnic tables
- Sand area
- Pool toys
Guidelines
In addition to City of Edmonton Recreation facility guidelines, these additional guidelines must be followed to keep the facility clean and open.
- Do not swim if you have been sick in the last 2 weeks or have open wounds
- Wear proper swim attire: Swim diapers for toddlers and babies
- Swimwear with a liner made for the purpose of swimming
- No athletic shorts or underwear is allowed in the water
- Have a head-to-toe soaking shower before entering the water. This helps remove contaminants you may bring into the water including soap, lotion, sunscreen and laundry detergent
- Rinse off as much of the soap as possible when having a shower
- Use only phosphate free sunscreen
- Glass containers are not permitted
- Pets are not permitted
- Food and street shoes are not permitted near the water
- Please tell a staff member if you think you or your child may have accidentally contaminated the water
- Throw your garbage in the trash to help keep the facility clean and pest-free
- Customers may bring in unopened, factory sealed beverages only. Opened or unsealed beverages are not allowed in to the facility and customers will be asked to dump out any unsealed beverages. Exceptions can be made for customers who are feeding infants onsite, or for customers with medical needs. Water coolers are available to fill water bottles
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed
- Customers may bring in their own food
Patrons may bring in unopened, factory-sealed beverages only. Opened or unsealed beverages are not allowed into the facility and customers will be asked to dump out any unsealed beverages (including coffee mugs). Exceptions can be made for customers who are feeding infants onsite, or for customers with medical needs.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed
- Patrons may bring in their own food
- Glass containers or bottles are not permitted in the facility
- Water fill stations are available to fill water bottles
Pool Sanitization Overview
Borden depends on rock filters and natural processes in the regeneration basin to clean the water instead of using chemicals.
Water in Borden Park Natural Swimming Pool is treated by replicating naturally occurring filtration.
The water purification system includes:
- The Neptune filter: Layers of granite rock filter the water to remove big particles like leaves, dissolved solids and larger organic materials. A biofilm on top of the rock filters out smaller microorganisms.
- Hydrobotanical beds: In these “constructed wetlands”, plants filter phosphates, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and other contaminants from the water.
- Intense ultraviolet from the sun controls bacteria levels before water is recirculated into the public basins.
Contact Us
311 Contact Centre
Phone 311 | Outside Edmonton and Video Relay Service (VRS): 780-442-5311 | TTY 711