Hillcrest, Cambridge

Hillcrest rises on the east side of the Speed River, above the Hespeler village core. From the Ellacott Lookout, the view stretches over the river valley and the rooftops of the village. The Hespeler Woodlot keeps nearly ten hectares of forest among the streets, cool and fragrant after rain. Sault Park, on McMeeken Drive, has ball diamonds and a playground busy on summer evenings. Hillcrest Public School, Woodland Park Public School and Our Lady of Fatima are all close at hand.

The 2021 census counted about 2,050 homes in Hillcrest. More than eight in ten are single detached houses, and row houses make up about one in eight. About two in five homes were built between 1991 and 2000, and nearly a quarter between 2001 and 2005. About one in five were built in 1980 or earlier.

Grand River Transit's 51 Hespeler route serves the neighbourhood. The Pinebush stop on the 302 ION Bus, which runs to Fairway ION station in Kitchener, is about 4.0 km away, and Stage 2 ION, which the Region has approved and is now designing, plans a Pinebush station about 4.1 km away. Queen Street East, Kerwood Drive and Ellis Road are the main streets, and Townline Road leads south to Highway 401 (exit 286). The Brewster Trail runs through the area.

Sault Park, at 70 McMeeken Drive, covers about 5 hectares, with a playground and ball diamonds. Red Wildfong Park, at 150 Melran Drive, and Hillcrest Park, on Elizabeth Street, also have playgrounds. The Hespeler Woodlot covers about 9.5 hectares, and the Bluewater Drive woodlot and the Ellacott Lookout add more green space. Hillcrest Public School, Woodland Park Public School and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School are in the neighbourhood. The Hespeler branch of the Cambridge Public Library is about 1.1 km away.

• Hillcrest Public School — JK to Grade 6. The public school for most of Hillcrest, on Renwick Avenue.
• Centennial Public School — JK to Grade 6. The public school for the western streets, including River Road and McMeeken Drive.
• Woodland Park Public School — JK to Grade 8. The public school for the southern streets, including Housler Lane, and the middle school for the Hillcrest Public School streets.
• Hespeler Public School — Grades 7 and 8. The middle school for the Centennial Public School streets, with French immersion.
• Jacob Hespeler Secondary School — Grades 9 to 12. The public secondary school.
• Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School — JK to Grade 8. The Catholic elementary school on Hammet Street, in the neighbourhood, with French immersion from Grade 1.
• St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School — Grades 9 to 12. The nearest Catholic secondary school, about 4.7 km away.