Recreational Opportunities
Numerous forms of recreation exist within the Township. These range from organized sports such as hockey, figure skating, baseball and soccer to the more individual sports such as snow shoeing and kayaking in the hinterlands and hiking along the Trans Canada Trail that crosses the Township. Bird and nature watching for these enthusiasts abounds in the several parks and Provincially Significant Wetlands and Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest that are located throughout the Township. Whatever your interests, chances are your recreational interests can be satisfied.
Recreation Programs
Through the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers, the Beaver Lake Swim Program was commenced in the summer of 2013. This program addressed a need when it was identified that a keen interest existed in having swimming lessons at Beaver Lake following the loss of swim programs at the Napanee Pool and Varty Lake. Concerned parent’s and grandparent’s took the initiative to commence this program to reduce drowning’s and water related injuries so that our local residents and children will be safer in, on, and around water.
The program is run from the Neville’s Point Public Beach and employs all new equipment and hires accredited/trained Lifeguards. All instructors are Red Cross certified with all the certifications required to teach. Bronze Cross and Swim Instructor training is not available in the Lennox and Addington Region and can be cost prohibitive for local youth, leading to a shortage of local lifeguards, threatening the survival of local swim programs. The Township of Stone Mills would like to facilitate this
training by making it available Free. To learn about our Community Lifeguard Grant please click here.
The program is run from July through August (8-weeks) to educate participants with Swim to Survive program skills Program volunteers will attempt to accommodate all persons enrolled in this program. Persons who would like to volunteer to help with this program can sign up at the time of registration.
Past swimming achievements will be recognized however swimming certificates must be provided. To participate, children must be at least 5 years of age as of the first day of the swimming lessons.
The Township of Stone Mills is a proud supporter of the Beaver Lake Swim Program and provides an annual financial grant to assist this program.
Beaver Lake Swim Program Registration Form
Please forward all inquiries and registration form to: swimbeaverlake@gmail.com
The Township of Stone Mills recognizes the importance of persons to learn how to swim from the perspectives of recreation, healthy living and safety around the numerous lakes and rivers within the Township. To ensure our youth have the opportunity to learn how to swim, in 2011 the Township commenced the Swim Subsidy Program. This program provides a partial reimbursement of monies paid to enroll youth that reside in the Township of Stone Mills in a qualifying and recognized swim program. The amount of the subsidy is $42.00 and this amount will be paid for each youth that is enrolled in a swim program once for each fiscal year (January 1 through December 31) when lessons are being obtained. A Swim Subsidy Program Application Form must be completed and submitted to the Township of Stone Mills to participate in this program. Please contact the Township Office if additional information is required in respect to this program.
Other Web Pages Of Relevance To Recreation:
Volunteer Recognition
The Wemp Recreation Youth Grant Fund was started from donations made in memory of Fred Wemp, a long time resident of the Township of Stone Mills who had a passionate interest in his community, recreation and sports. The Fund was developed to assist youth who are financially disadvantaged and who wish to participate in an organized sports or recreational activity. Without this financial assistance, these youth may not otherwise be able to participate in these activities because of these financial restraints of the household.
The public can help in the continuation of this program by making donations to this fund. 100% of all donations are used to help youth participate in organized sports and recreational activities. Aside from donations, local associations can choose to host a fund raising event such as a hockey or baseball game where the funds raised from the event are directed to this fund. For additional information respecting this fund, please contact the Township of Stone Mills.
Children, adults and seniors can register for a day of canoeing or kayaking on a picturesque waterway in and around Stone Mills Township. Children 8 or under must be accompanied by an adult. We offer a number of canoes, single kayaks and double kayaks. Approved registrants meet that morning at 8:30 am at the Stone Mills Municipal Office at 4504 County road 4, and will be transported to the waterway location, and return to Centreville at 4:00pm. Canoes/Kayaks will be supplied but each registrant will need to bring lunch and drinks for the day. Personal flotation devices will be supplied but each registrant is required to be a confident swimmer. No previous canoe or kayak experience is necessary. This event generally takes place in the July/August months. For further information, please call the Township office at 613-378-2475.
Located along County Road 41 north of Erinsville is the Lennox and Addington Dark Sky Viewing area. Opened in 2012, thousands of visitors from across southern Ontario - and beyond - have visited the site. In full darkness on a clear, moonless evening, visitors can experience pristine starry night skies decorated with the powdery glow of the Milky Way. The L&A County Dark Sky Viewing Area is the most southerly dark-sky site in Ontario and has become a favorite destination for amateur astronomers looking for the best locations to view the universe with their telescopes.
More recently, in 2014 a fundraising event organized by the Tamworth-Erinsville Community Development Committee, in conjunction with the Tamworth Legion, was held that featured a talk by local astronomer and editor of SkyNews magazine, Terence Dickinson. The proceeds from the event were used to purchase a telescope for the L&A County Public Libraries to loan out to residents to use at the Dark Sky Viewing Area or from their own homes. The telescope selected by Mr. Dickinson himself, is a 6-inch Newtonian reflector with precision optics and which is easily portable in a family car. This is a simplified model with manual controls and no computers or electronics that can intimidate some beginners. Library patrons can make a telescope reservation by placing a hold at www.CountyLibrary.ca or by visiting the Tamworth Branch. Borrowers are required to have a Library Card and must agree to be responsible for any damages, loss or theft of the telescope while it is checked out. A 'Telescope Borrowing Agreement' must be completed as well. The borrowing period for the telescope is for one week.
Current viewing details can be found at the following Lennox And Addington Dark Sky WebPage.
We are happy to announce that pickleball is returning to the Township of Stone Mills Recreation Centre! The 2024 season will run from April 2nd to August 24th on the following dates:
- Monday, Wednesday & Saturday mornings: 10:00am –12:00 noon
Tuesday & Thursday evenings: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
- Per play cost of $5.00 can be paid via exact cash at time of play at Stone Mills Recreation Centre.
- 5 month membership of $125.00 can be purchased at the Township of Stone Mills Municipal Office.
Printed Registration & Waiver Forms are available at both the Township of Stone Mills Recreation Centre (713 Addington Street Tamworth) and the Township of Stone Mills Municipal Office (4504 County Road 4, Centreville).