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All reservable picnic areas and Mill Race wedding bookings in Cambridge
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Cambridge lists eight reservable picnic areas across four parks, plus Mill Race Park for wedding or photo reservations.
Key information
Cambridge lists eight reservable picnic areas across four parks, plus Mill Race Park for wedding or photo reservations. The 2026 picnic season ended October 11, while Mill Race bookings run to October 31.
On this page
At a glance
| Task | Key detail |
|---|---|
| When can picnic areas be reserved? | The listed 2026 season is May 4 to October 11, excluding statutory holidays. |
| What are the picnic rental fees? | Up to 100 attendees cost residents $34.38 and non-residents $68.85. |
| Which park can be reserved for weddings or photos? | Mill Race Park at 36 Water Street North is the only park reservable for weddings or photos under this service. |
Sources: Picnics and Mill Race Park | City of Cambridge · Parks | City of Cambridge
Your next steps
- Compare shelter capacity
Compare shelter capacity.
- Check dates and booking rules
Check dates and booking rules.
- Reserve the required site
Reserve the required site.
Sources: Picnics and Mill Race Park | City of Cambridge · Parks | City of Cambridge
Riverside Dolph shelter
Photo of the listed location. Capture date is not supplied by the source. Private preview only while permission is pending.
Season, complete location scope and time slots
When can picnic areas be reserved?
The listed 2026 season is May 4 to October 11, excluding statutory holidays. Requests open on the first business day of the year. As of this guide's October 14 check, that picnic reservation season has ended.
Which picnic areas are reservable?
Hespeler Optimist has one shelter; Riverside has Dolph and Kin shelters plus Front and Three Corners open areas; Soper has one shelter; Churchill has Playground open area and Pavilion shelter. All eight have separate location entries below.
How long is a reservation?
Riverside offers full days, 8:30am to 8:30pm, or half days, 8:30am to 1:30pm and 3:30pm to 8:30pm. Other picnic parks are full-day only. The reservation is for the selected area, not exclusive use of the entire park.
Fees, insurance and equipment rules
What are the picnic rental fees?
Up to 100 attendees cost residents $34.38 and non-residents $68.85. Above 100, the listed rates are $61.46 and $120.77. HST applies. Capacity still depends on the selected area; a larger fee category does not authorize overfilling a small shelter.
What insurance is needed?
All rentals must provide or purchase insurance. The City's picnic insurance rates are $4.23 for 1-25 people, $6.35 for 26-50, $12.70 for 51-100 and $42.32 for 101-200. Confirm the actual rental's insurance requirement before paying.
Are electricity, barbecues or tents available?
Electricity is unavailable and barbecues are not supplied. Only propane barbecues are permitted. A maximum 10-by-10-foot tent is allowed without ground stakes. Alcohol, inflatables and dunk tanks are prohibited, and some sites have only portable washrooms.
Mill Race events and booking contacts
Which park can be reserved for weddings or photos?
Mill Race Park at 36 Water Street North is the only park reservable for weddings or photos under this service. Its 2026 season is May 4 to October 31, excluding statutory holidays. Bookings begin at 10am and must end by 8pm.
How much time and money does Mill Race require?
Photos use 45-minute blocks at $66.15; a wedding uses 90 minutes at $329.63; wedding plus photos uses 135 minutes at $395.78. HST applies. An officiant is not included, and tents, confetti and rice are prohibited.
What is Mill Race insurance and how do I book?
City insurance is listed at $54 for up to 100 people and $108 above 100. Book selected spaces online or submit the rental request form. Contact rental@cambridge.ca or 548-558-0995 for help and confirmation of availability.
Can I use an unreserved picnic area outside the season?
The parks page says picnic areas are not reservable in winter and can be used first come first served with restrictions. Shelter booking rules, capacity, smoke-free zones and park conduct still matter. Confirm the chosen area's off-season condition before planning a gathering.
Source: Parks | City of Cambridge
Sources: Picnics and Mill Race Park | City of Cambridge · Parks | City of Cambridge
Compare locations
| Location | Address or source location | Recorded details |
|---|---|---|
| Hespeler Optimist picnic shelter | 640 Ellis Road, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 36 people; Shelter: Yes |
| Riverside Dolph shelter | 49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 125 people; Shelter: Yes |
| Riverside Kin shelter | 49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 60 people; Shelter: Yes |
| Riverside Front picnic area | 49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 100 people; Shelter: No |
| Riverside Three Corners picnic area | 49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 60 people; Shelter: No |
| Soper picnic shelter | 120 Shade Street, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 80 people; Shelter: Yes |
| Churchill Playground picnic area | 200 Christopher Drive, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 75 people; Shelter: No |
| Churchill Pavilion picnic shelter | 200 Christopher Drive, Cambridge, Ontario | Capacity: 18 people; Shelter: Yes |
| Mill Race Park wedding and photo space | 36 Water Street North, Cambridge, Ontario | 2026 reservation season: May 4 to October 31, excluding statutory holidays |
All eight picnic areas and Mill Race Park
Hespeler Optimist picnic shelter
640 Ellis Road, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed sheltered picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 36 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 36 people
- Shelter
- Yes
Riverside Dolph shelter
49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed sheltered picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 125 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 125 people
- Shelter
- Yes
Riverside Kin shelter
49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed sheltered picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 60 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 60 people
- Shelter
- Yes
Riverside Front picnic area
49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed open-air picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 100 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 100 people
- Shelter
- No
Riverside Three Corners picnic area
49 King Street West, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed open-air picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 60 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 60 people
- Shelter
- No
Soper picnic shelter
120 Shade Street, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed sheltered picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 80 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 80 people
- Shelter
- Yes
Churchill Playground picnic area
200 Christopher Drive, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed open-air picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 75 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 75 people
- Shelter
- No
Churchill Pavilion picnic shelter
200 Christopher Drive, Cambridge, Ontario
A separately listed sheltered picnic reservation area with capacity for up to 18 people. Electricity is unavailable; use the selected area's booking confirmation.
- Capacity
- 18 people
- Shelter
- Yes
Mill Race Park wedding and photo space
36 Water Street North, Cambridge, Ontario
A reserved event setting within the ruins of the Dickson Textile Mill, with an excavated raceway, picnic tables, washroom and seasonal concession. Wedding officiants are arranged separately.
- 2026 reservation season
- May 4 to October 31, excluding statutory holidays