Shade's Mills Conservation Area — Attraction in Cambridge

Please instill better management of entry of visitors during business hours!

Please do not play spoilsport with visitors' time, effort and feelings by denying entry!

Google shows that this place is open from 8 AM to 9 PM - this is extremely spurious!! I have travelled 38 kilometers to reach the entrance at 3:30 PM (about 5.5 hours prior to closure). Live occupancy status appears as red, indicating that no additional visitors may be allowed inside in order to accommodate social distancing. To my horror, I learn that any visitor reaching there is NOT allowed inside as soon as the maximum capacity is attained!!!

Why can't new visitors be allowed inside during open hours, while multiple prior visitors keep vacating the place simultaneously and continuously?

Why don't Google business hours show "Open only until maximum capacity (like 100) is reached. Check current capacity status online."

Why can't the the closure notice read, "closed for today" or 'closed'. It currently states, "closed- come back at a later time". If I come back at a later time on the same day, I will be there only to be denied...

Positives: It has a sandy beach, and the water isn't rocky or weedy for swimming. The water only goes to a maximum of 4 feet deep, which is nice for young kids. They have picnic tables everywhere to eat infront of the beach. They have a little playground nearby. Their trails are lovely. It is quite affordable to go swimming. It costs only around $13 for me to swim with 2 kids.

Negatives: The washrooms are deplorable. They are literally the worst ones I have ever been in. I can smell the washrooms 2 meters away. They have many flies inside and no sinks or running water to wash your hands. The toilets don't flush; they just have chemicals in them like an outhouse. Hand sanitizer is mounted outside. See my pics to judge for yourself.

Tips: Change into your swimming gear before you arrive at Shade's Mill to avoid the washrooms, and drive wet home. If you want nice washrooms and a lovely swimming area, go to Valens, but it is more expensive. See my reviews if you...

I love this place. It’s beautiful, lush and green 😁. You’re surrounded by nature, you can play at the beach, swim and ride a boat on the river. You could also fish and kayak on the river.

There are lots of trails, looks like a very good spot for camping. You can come in with food and for non members you have to pay about 15dollars and it’s free for children below 5.

It was fun time, we came with a grill and made barbecue. There are no life guards at the water front, parents are responsible for watching their kids.

I would definitely love to visit again and soak it all in. I took long refreshing walks in the woods, swam and ate barbecue 😁. It felt like I was walking through a well...