Contact(s)
COVID-19 Alert
The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in Ontario. The health, safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and the community remain our highest priority. Please visit our COVID-19 Update page where you will find the most up-to-date information on impacts to GRCA programs and services.
Shade's Mills is a day-use park offering a great place to enjoy nature just a few minutes away from the city. Favourite activities include swimming, sport fishing and canoeing. Hikers and cyclists can enjoy 12 kilometres of trails through a mature hardwood forest along Mill Creek. Anglers can fish in the 32-hectare (80-acre) reservoir, which was created by the construction of Shade's Mills Dam. In the winter, the park offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
Park info
- Season: Open year round. Use your Grand River Parks Membership card for access or pay at the automatic gate (credit or cash) when gate attendant not on duty.
- Hours: Open for day use from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gatehouse operation hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Not all facilities are available during all park hours. Call the park for info.)
- 450 Avenue Rd., Cambridge
- Park fees
- Brochure and park map (PDF)
- Photo gallery on Flickr
- Events calendar
Park Status Updates
Our parks are operating at a reduced capacity and we have implemented a number of measures to address overcrowding and promote physical distancing, including limiting the number of daily visitors. If capacity is reached, our parks will close and not reopen for the rest of the day. Our parks are very busy on weekends and more likely to reach capacity. Consider planning your visit during the week when our parks are less busy.
To check the capacity status of our parks in real-time, visit www.grandriver.ca/parkstatus.
Activities
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Canoeing |
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The reservoir is ideal for canoeing and kayaking. Please note we are currently not offering canoe or kayak rentals at this time. |
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Fishing |
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Northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie are plentiful in the reservoir. Only electric motors are allowed. |
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Hiking and cycling |
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There are 12 kilometres of trails for hikers and cyclists. The map in the park brochure shows the trails. Cyclists can also enjoy themselves on park roads. Please obey the rules of the road and, for your safety, wear a helmet. |
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Swimming |
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There's a long sandy beach on the reservoir. The beach is not patrolled so parents or guardians must keep a close watch on their children at all times. Please note we are currently not offering the life jacket loaner program. Learn more about beach conditions. |
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Picnicking |
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Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all picnic shelters and pavilions will remain closed this season. |
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Events and activities |
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There are no events scheduled at this time. |
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Winter programs |
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Shade's Mills offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. The park has 10 kilometres of groomed and track-set cross-country ski trails and a snowshoe loop. Ski and snowshoe equipment can be rented on weekends and when conditions allow. The map in the park brochure shows the trails. Fishing is available on the reservoir when ice conditions are suitable. Temporary ice hunts are permitted and must be removed once fishing is completed for the day. Please note that winter programming is subject to change, based on weather conditions. In addition, the parks and/or trails may close from time to time during the operating season, sometimes without notice for safety reasons following a storm, or due to a special event. Check our winter programs page for more information, including hours of operation and fees. |
Facilities
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Gatehouse |
| This is the location of the lost and found and it is the place to go to report problems or concerns, or get further information about the park. |
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Group facilities |
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Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all picnic shelters and pavilions and group facilities will remain closed this season. |
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Washrooms |
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Due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are only limited washroom facilities available. |
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Playgrounds and sports fields |
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There are three professional beach volleyball courts, open areas for group games, and a "natural" playground. |
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Boat launch |
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The park has one boat launch. Only non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors are allowed. |
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Dog policy |
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Dogs are welcome, but must be on a two-metre leash and under control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, in the swimming area or on the cross-country ski trails. Please clean up after your dog. Dog owners can be fined if these regulations are not followed. |
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Nearby services |
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