Cooling Off at the Parco dei Renai’s Lake & Pool

If you’ve been brave enough to venture outside of air conditioning in the past few weeks, you’ll know that Florentine heat is no joke. Especially in the tourist hotspots in the city center, the high temperatures and overcrowding can quickly ruin what was meant to be a relaxing summer day. Taking a journey outside of the city to the nearby town of Signa can be a welcome escape, especially if you swing by the Parco dei Renai and take advantage of its many aquatic recreation opportunities. With freshwater swimming and poolside relaxation, as well as plenty of shady areas for strolling and nearby gelato vendors, the Parco dei Renai is the perfect way to enjoy some summer fun without wilting away in the brutal temperatures.

The Parco dei Renai is both a natural park preserving the local wildlife and a cradle of recreational activity for visitors. In addition to several options for swimming, including a lake and a pool, the park features walking paths and a children’s playground. Pets are also welcome to take part in the fun with a visit to the dog park area.

Quiet even on its busiest weekend days, the lakefront is populated with umbrellas and beach-chairs that include overhead sun shields, available for on-site rentals or reservations by phone or web. From Monday through Friday, the price for an umbrella and two chairs is €10 for a half-day rental and €15 for a full day rental. On weekends, the rate is €13 for a half-day and €20 for a full. The lakefront is open from 10am to 8pm every day. An outdoor restaurant offers a variety of snacks, as well as daily options for primi and secondi.

The more competitive can also partake in sports, whether it’s a casual match of mini-golf or a no-holds-barred game of beach volleyball. For those looking to hone their skills, windsurfing and sailing classes are also available on the lake. For information on how to book sessions for these activities and more, see the park’s official website.

The short path to the lake is itself an open-air gallery, lined with a variety of sculptures from local artists whose work has been selected to showcase Signa’s artistic excellence. The sculptures have been chosen through an annual art competition hosted by Signa’s tourist association for the past decade.

While you could spend an entire afternoon swimming and sunbathing at the lake, the Parco dei Renai also offers a great deal more for visitors. For one, visitors can also stop by the pool, which similarly offers beach chairs and umbrellas – although a reservation is recommended, as the pool tends to be much more popular and space is highly sought after. Note that swim caps are mandatory in order to enter the pool. From Monday through Friday, adults pay €10 and children €8 to use the pool; these prices are increased to €12 and €10, respectively, on weekends and holidays. Reduced admission is available during lunch hours and midday – check the park’s official website for a full list of prices.

The park can be accessed by arriving at the Signa train station, followed by a 15 minute walk. By far the most romantic way to get to the park is by taking the bike path that starts from Cascine Park and hugs the Arno River all the way to its destination, also running parallel to a set of train tracks. While the cycling can be grueling at times due to the gravel path and unrelenting heat, persistent bikers will be treated to an unparalleled view of the river as it snakes through endless greenery. The route passes through sunflowers, a kiwi farm, and other interesting flora. You may find yourself dismounting your bike throughout the ride to explore the unique sights that populate the route.  (Tara Monastesse)