Dumfries is a 75-hectare conservation area that provides places for outdoor recreation and nature appreciation in the centre of Cambridge. It is located at Dunbar and Hespeler Roads, Cambridge.
The area has plantation forests, mature forests, wetlands and trails running through it. A parking lot on Dunbar Road is open from May to October. There are no facilities.
Dumfries is home of the Dumfries Kite Festival, which takes place the first weekend in June.
The late P.R. Hilborn donated the land to the Province of Ontario in 1970. Later, the province transferred ownership to the GRCA.
Link to trail map:
https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/resources/Documents/Parks_brochure_dumfries.pdf
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Region(s): Waterloo RegionNearby towns and cities: Cambridge
DUMFRIES CONSERVATION AREA characteristics
Length: 4 kmDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface:
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Accessibility not known
Fees: None
Flora & Fauna:
Although an urban park surrounded by homes and industries, Dumfries offers a surprising number of diverse habitats for naturalists to explore. Forested areas include natural hardwood forest, coniferous plantations, an arboretum planted by the Cambridge Horticultural Society and The Record’s Employee Memorial Forest. Water features include two ponds and Groff Mill Creek which meanders the length of Dumfries before entering the Grand River by the Galt Golf & Country Club.
Wildlife in Dumfries includes common urban mammals such as white-tailed deer, fox, raccoon, red squirrel and eastern cottontail rabbit. Birds can be seen year-round, with different seasons featuring mallard ducks, cedar waxwing, northern cardinal and American goldfinch. Fish in Groff Mill Creek include common shiner and creek chub. Common plant species include
service berry & wild black cherry, eastern white pine, red and white oak, sugar maple,
Amenities: None
Contact:
grca@grandriver.ca
Grand River Conservation Authority 400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729 Cambridge, ON N1R 5W6 Phone: 519-621-2761 Toll free: 1-866-900-4722
Find it: Dunbar & Hespeler Rd, Cambridge
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 43.3878900
Longitude: -80.3355690