Durham Region, located just east of Toronto, is home to some amazing waterfront playgrounds with beautiful lake views. If you’re on the hunt for waterfront playgrounds in Durham Region then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got a list of 5 waterfront parks that not only have awesome playgrounds for the kids, but many of them also have other great features and amenities, like waterfront walking trails, splash pads, beaches, bathrooms and concessions. And as always, we have personally visited all of these playgrounds and all of the info we provide is from our personal experience!
Related: The Best Playgrounds in Oshawa
Related: The Best Playgrounds in Whitby
Rotary Park, Ajax
A few minutes east of Toronto, just off Highway 401, is one of our most favourite waterfront playgrounds in Durham. The playground at Rotary Park in Ajax sits right beside Lake Ontario. The playground is made up of a big climbing structure and slides for big kids as well as a smaller structure and slides for toddlers. There are also plenty of swings, monkey bars and an accessible ramp up the big play structure.
The playground is great, but the real magic of Rotary Park lies in all of its other amazing features and amenities. These features include a gorgeous lakeside, elevated boardwalk, a small beach, a marsh where it’s fun to spot wildlife, a splash pad, concession stand and indoor bathrooms. Because of all these fantastic features, we highly recommend Rotary Park as a great place to spend the whole day with kids in Durham Region.
Kiwanis Heydenshore Park, Whitby
Kiwanis Heydenshore Park, located along the shore of Lake Ontario in Whitby, is a popular Durham Region park. Kiwanis Heydenshore boasts a fabulous waterfront playground, right beside a lovely Lake Ontario beach. The playground is made up of a large climbing structure, slides, swings, a 4 person teeter-totter, and several more fun climbing features. There is also an outstanding, brand new (summer 2023) splash pad; paved walk/bike paths and bathrooms.
Lakeview Park, Oshawa
Lakeview Park is home to one of the newest and most epic playgrounds in Durham Region. The focal point of the playground is the 3-story climbing structure with a huge, twisty slide. The playground also has tons of other amazing features including a large rope climber, accessible play area, zipline and tandem swing. Alongside the playground is a great splash pad, walking trails and a restaurant with a patio overlooking the water (open in summer).
Port Darlington East Beach Park, Bowmanville
The playground at Port Darlington is one of the older ones on our list, but is still one of the most fun and cute waterfront parks in Durham Region. The playground has a nautical theme. There is a large ship-shaped climbing structure and a boat themed splash pad. There’s also a 3 person racing slide, a smaller toddler structure, bathrooms and a beautiful gazebo.
Palmer Park, Port Perry
Palmer Park, located beside the Port Perry Marina on Lake Scugog, is home to another of Durham Region’s brand new playgrounds. The playground is accessible, with soft rubber flooring and a boat-shaped accessible rocker. There is also a long zipline, 2-story climbing structure, swings, splash pad and waterfront walking path. There are no real bathrooms at the playground but there are porta-potties. After visiting the playground, check out the restaurant patios located across the street!
Do you know of any other amazing waterfront playgrounds in Durham Region? Let us know about them!