Shades Mills, Cambridge

Shades Mills is a leafy neighbourhood of 1990s homes in North Galt, on the doorstep of Shade's Mills Conservation Area. On calm summer mornings, canoes glide across the water at the conservation area, and in winter cross-country skiers trace quiet trails through the snow. Cedarbrook Creek runs a green ribbon through the streets, and the Granite Hill Trail winds past the Granite Hill Woodlot. Streets like Chimney Hill Drive and Timber Creek Crescent curve gently between the trees. It feels close to nature and close to home at the same time.

The 2021 census counted about 1,350 homes in Shades Mills. About four in five are single detached houses, and row houses make up about one in eight. Nearly half the homes were built between 1991 and 2000, and about one in five between 1981 and 1990. About a quarter were built after 2001.

Grand River Transit's 53 Franklin, 60 Burnett and 65 Saginaw routes serve the neighbourhood. The Delta stop on the 302 ION Bus, which runs to Fairway ION station in Kitchener, is about 3.4 km away, and Stage 2 ION, which the Region has approved and is now designing, plans a Delta station at about the same distance. Avenue Road, Burnett Avenue and Franklin Boulevard are the main roads, and Franklin Boulevard leads north to Highway 401.

Cedarbrook Creek covers about 11 hectares, and the Granite Hill Woodlot and Timbercreek Parkland add more green space, with a half basketball court. Shade's Mills Conservation Area, at the east end of Avenue Road, is open year-round for canoeing, fishing, hiking, cycling, picnicking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. The Clemens Mill branch of the Cambridge Public Library is about 2.1 km away. The Fiddlesticks Neighbourhood Association serves the area.

• Saginaw Public School — JK to Grade 6. The public school for the northern streets, including Avenue Road and Granite Hill Road, with French immersion from Grade 2.
• Clemens Mill Public School — JK to Grade 8. The public school for the western streets, including Beasley Crescent and Benn Drive, and the middle school for the Saginaw Public School streets, with French immersion.
• Preston High School — Grades 9 to 12. The public secondary school for the Saginaw Public School streets.
• Galt Collegiate Institute — Grades 9 to 12. The public secondary school for the Clemens Mill Public School streets, with French immersion and extended French.
• St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School — JK to Grade 8. The nearest Catholic elementary school, about 1.0 km away.
• St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School — Grades 9 to 12. The nearest Catholic secondary school, about 2.1 km away.