Centeen Park

Located on the St.Lawrence River, Brockville has many great places to go swimming to cool off through the summer. Some of them are well known, while others are more off the beaten path and not as easy to find. Check out some of the popular locations to swim for locals in Brockville.

Centeen Park

Centeen Park is a great place to go swimming if you’re a stronger swimmer. The water gets deep quickly, and the sea wall at the edge of the park makes getting in the water pretty adventurous if you’re feeling it. We love going to Centeen to swim so much, we made jumping off the sea wall into the river our cover for the 2020 Brockville Visitors’ Guide! It’s an experience that everyone growing up in the area will be familiar with. We want to make sure that our visitors know about this location as well. 

Swimmers, take note – on top of being a great swimming spot, Centeen Park is also very popular with scuba divers, so be sure to look before you leap! The St.Lawrence River is filled with amazing shipwrecks to explore. If you’re a new or inexperienced diver, you might need some practice with the currents. That’s where the Brockville Underwater Sculpture Park can help! You can explore underwater sculptures that were created by local artists and students and placed by Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS) while you practice scuba diving in the St.Lawrence River.

St. Lawrence Park

On the other side of town, you will find another very popular swimming location – St.Lawrence Park. There’s no mistaking that you’re in the entrance to the 1000 Islands at St.Lawrence Park – you can see the islands begin as you sit on the beach.  This park’s sandy beach is perfect for spending the day relaxing with the kids. The water is shallow and protected from the main currents of the St.Lawrence River by being a little bit more inland. A dock marks the boundaries of the swimming area. If you go past it, be prepared! There is a very strong river current going just outside of the marked area.

Cunningham Park

This quiet little park is a little further off the beaten path. Nestled inside of a residential area in the west of Brockville is Cunningham Park. Just like Centeen Park, Cunningham has a seawall to jump off of, but the only way out of the water is the ladder. Never the less, this swimming location is popular with locals in Brockville. Out of all the swimming spots in Brockville, Cunningham Park perhaps requires the strongest swimming skills, as the currents are not too far from the edge of the river.

Lyn Valley Conservation Area (Lyn Pit)

If you’re looking for a swimming spot that might be a little warmer and a little more sheltered, Lyn Valley Conservation Area (locally known as Lyn Pit)  might be your best bet! This swimming hole can be found just outside of Brockville. The water in this spring-fed lake is calm and quiet. The water is usually a bit warmer than the river itself too. This swimming location is so popular, there are swimming lessons throughout the summer through the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley.

Brown’s Bay Beach and Picnic Area

Brown’s Bay has a long history in the area. It continues to be a great stopping point for people during the drive between Toronto and Montreal. Just west of Brockville on the 1000 Islands Parkway, Brown’s Bay is a part of the Parks of the St.Lawrence. It does have a daily fee, which can be found here. This beach and picnic area is a great place to spend the day with the kids. There is also a playground and space to play sports.

Brockville has some great swimming locations in our area. However, outdoor swimming can be unpredictable and is affected by the elements. Be sure to check out the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit’s weekly Beach Results to make sure the water is safe to swim in.

Bonus: Brockville Rotary Park and Splash Pad

Looking for somewhere for the really little ones to have a great time and cool down? The splash pad at the Rotary Park is perfect for children to go and cool down without having to know how to swim.