70 hectares of park area for cycling, walking along the waterfront trail and spectacular views of the bluffs. New aquatic facility with a pools and a splash pad. Reserve picnic areas. Summer day camps also available. Tel: (416) 667-6295 Website
Ages: All ages
Major Intersection: Hwy 401 & Whites Road
Address: 1100 Whites Road, Pickering, ON
Good to Know
- The pool is fully accessible and has an 800 person capacity.
- There are changing rooms, shower and washroom facilities at the pool. Life jackets are available free of charge (a deposit is required).
- You can reserve an area inside the aquatic facility if you are bringing a group (e.g. birthday party).
If you make an inquiry, please mention that you saw this listing on the Melanie On-The-Go / Kids On-The-Go website. Thank you!
Want to give your two cents?
Share your thoughts below with other parents, caregivers and management. Only the rating and your child's age are mandatory, the rest is up to you!
Activities We Did:
splash pad and pool
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
cost adds up for large family,…..maybe offer a family rate
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 3.5/5
- Value: 3.5/5
Activities We Did:
We mainly go to Petticoat Creek to picnic by the pool with family friends. I’ve going almost yearly for over 30yrs.
Good to Go!:
The new pools, splash pad and deck area are clean and well maintained. The wading pools are great for families with smaller kids and the splash pad is a much needed space for the slightly older kids. The larger and deeper area of the of the main pool is nice for the tweens, teens & adults to cool off. The lifeguards are really attentive to swimmers and keep things under control.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
I am sad to see the large lake-like zero entry pool has been replaced by a much smaller main pool. My kids (and myself) used to love just wandering around in circles from shallow to deeper water and finding less crowded spots to play with friends. The one rather small zero entry point of the new pool can get a bit congested on crowded days. The wadiing pools for the littles are nice, but I think having three of them is over kill. The one closest to the gates gets used the most and is packed most days. The middle one gets the overflow and the third one is almost empty any time I’m there. I think that space would’ve been better served as a second zero entry point for the main pool. The hill across from the entrance has been made steeper and is now near impossible to be used as a picnic area. The other side is much flatter, but the sparse grass is littered with mulch that is hard on the feet and easily tracked onto the pool deck and picnic blankets.
If the washrooms were given a facelift – I can’t tell. They are disgusting by noon. I know the staff tries there best to keep up with it. Apparently, they can’t hose it down throughout the day because there isn’t a back-up washroom to go do during clean-up.
The snack bar is closed up and a chip truck is available. If you want healthier foods, its best to bring your own.
I find the prices a bit steep for what you get. I don’t understand why I have to pay $6.50 per adult in my vehicle to get into the park. If walk-ins and cyclists can enter the park for free, I feel the $6.50 should be per vehicle. IIRC the pool is now $4.75 each for anyone older than 3 years.
I guess I won’t be going 2-3 times a week like I used to.
Quick Tips for Others:
Bring your own food, picnic blankets and flip-flops. Beach umbrellas and tents can be used as well.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 2/5
- Value: 2.5/5
Activities We Did:
Wading pools, large splash pad, large pool.
Good to Go!:
It’s a really nice water play area though it is a little pricey ($6.50/adult to enter the conservation area + $4.75/person for the water area). I liked that the target audience seems to be families with young kids (under 10) so there is rough-housing/horseplay to watch out for.
There are 3 large wading pools that are great for playing water toys and the pool is a good size so even if it is busy you don’t feel like you are constantly in each others way. We were there for over 4 hours.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
Food options are limited — we only saw french fries, hot dogs, burgers + ice cream.
Quick Tips for Others:
Definitely bring food, you are allowed to set up umbrellas and tents if you can’t snag a spot under a tree. I would recommend water shoes as well.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 3.5/5
- Value: 3.5/5
Activities We Did:
Swimming and playing at the water park
Good to Go!:
Lots of lifeguards
Nice grass space to chill out / picnic
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
Can’t bring any toys into the main pool in the water park. My 3 year old loves swimming with floaties and they were not allowed.
Quick Tips for Others:
No lockers, so prep accordingly.
Bring a picnic and snacks.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 3.5/5
- Value: 4/5
Activities We Did:
Swimming at the pool
Good to Go!:
We really enjoyed this 1.5-acre (82,500 sq. ft.) supervised swimming pool! The water is crystal clear and clean! Most of the pool surface offers a shallow wading area for younger children (along the edge of the circular pool) and the centre of the pool offers deeper waters for the more experienced swimmer.
There are change rooms, a refreshment booth and a playground, conveniently located nearby.
It’s completely surrounded by grass and trees, which offers shade and the perfect setting for picnicking and relaxing.
Admission price to the grounds (including HST) was: $6.00/adult, Children under 15 are free.
Admission price to the water park was free.
Parking was: $3.00
Prices change, so please call ahead to find out the right info.
NOTE:
A new aquatic entertainment facility at Petticoat Creek Conservation Area is under construction. This will replace the existing 35 year old swimming pool that has been a fixture in the Pickering community. Visit the TRCA website for updates and contact information. The overall development will include a state-of-the-art 3200 square metre wading pool and swimming area with a 750-person capacity, and a splash pad with interactive water features. The facility will use sustainable technologies to power pool equipment and heat the water for an enjoyable swimming experience.
(I can’t wait to go back when these updates are complete!!!!!)
Quick Tips for Others:
Pack a blanket, a picnic and your swim toys.
Other things to see & do:
Cycling, Walking and Running along the waterfront trail
Picnicking for families and corporate events
Exploration of a wide array of flora and fauna
Frequent sightings of indigenous wildlife including fox, white-tail deer and red-tail hawk
Spectacular views of the bluffs
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 3.5/5