High bacteria levels make swimming unsafe at Mississauga lakefront park

Anyone planning to cool off in Lake Ontario at Richard’s Memorial Park this week is being urged to stay out of the water after Peel Public Health declared the swimming area unsafe.

A red warning has been posted at the park, located at 804 Lakeshore Rd. W. in Mississauga, after routine water testing found bacteria levels high enough to pose a health risk.

The advisory comes as warmer temperatures are expected to return to the GTA later this week following several days of rain.

Richard’s Memorial Park features a popular waterfront swimming area along with picnic areas, playgrounds, free parking and washrooms. While the park remains open, the beach is unsupervised, and health officials are advising visitors not to enter the water until testing shows it is safe again.

According to Peel Public Health, elevated bacteria levels in recreational water can cause illness, including diarrhea, skin rashes, ear infections, eye irritation and coughing or congestion.

Bacteria levels can increase for several reasons, including heavy rainfall, stormwater runoff, animal waste, large numbers of waterfowl, high winds, wave activity and increased numbers of swimmers.

Health officials also recommend avoiding swimming for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall, even if a beach has not been posted as unsafe, because runoff can carry bacteria and other contaminants into the water.

Peel Public Health monitors water quality at public swimming beaches throughout the summer, collecting samples Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, to ensure the water meets provincial safety standards.

A blue sign indicates bacteria levels are within acceptable limits and the water is considered safe for swimming. A red warning sign means bacteria levels are elevated and entering the water could result in illness.

While swimming is currently discouraged at Richard’s Memorial Park, Peel Public Health reports that the monitored swimming areas at Jack Darling Memorial Park and Lakefront Promenade Park (A.E. Crookes Park) remain safe for swimming…but you may want to wait because of today’s heavy rainfall.

Richard’s Memorial Park has experienced similar water quality issues in the past. During the summer of 2025, the swimming area was declared unsafe on several occasions after bacteria levels exceeded provincial guidelines.

Residents are encouraged to check Peel Public Health’s latest beach water quality updates before heading to any public swimming area, particularly following periods of heavy rain.