Lake Wilcox

Lake Wilcox is located in the Oak Ridges community at the headwaters of the East Humber River. It is the largest kettle lake on the Oak Ridges Moraine and is home to a variety of wildlife and fish. It's also a great place for our community to participate in fun activities.

Activities

There are a number of activities at Lake Wilcox including:

• Fishing (please note fishing is only permitted at the fishing platform that can be accessed from across Jesse Vanek Park or Sunset Beach Road)
• Picnicking
• Boating
• Playing water sports
• Viewing and walking along the lakefront
• Visiting the Fish and Wildlife Refuge
• Visiting the Oak Ridges Community Centre

Please note: we advise everyone to stay off of frozen lakes, rivers, ponds and stormwater ponds, as the ice may not be safe. Even if the weather has been cold, other factors such as water flow, fluctuating water levels and snow on the ice, can contribute to unsafe conditions. In addition, even if the ice at the water's edge seems safe, it can get weaker as you get farther out. 

Parks

There are four areas on the shoreline of Lake Wilcox where residents can enjoy the natural surroundings.

• Lake Wilcox Park, formerly Sunset Beach Park
  • Richmond Hill implemented pay parking at Lake Wilcox Park. Visit RichmondHill.ca/Parking for more info. 
• Jesse Vanek Park
• North Shore Parkette
• Lake Wilcox Fish and Wildlife Refuge

No swimming

Swimming is not allowed at Lake Wilcox because the water may be unsafe and is not tested or supervised. Safety issues may include:

• High levels of bacteria
• Sink holes
• Sharp items
• Broken glass

No BBQs, No Tents, No Digging

For the safety and enjoyment of all, erecting tents and digging the ground are not permitted at Lake Wilcox Park. Barbecuing is also not permitted, effective September 1, 2020. These activities damage the grass, create tripping hazards and block sightlines.

Boating on Lake Wilcox

We encourage the community to be safe on the water. Human-powered (non-motorized) boats are preferred on the lake.

Rules and regulations

Transport Canada regulates vessels in the area according to the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act. These vessels include motorized boats, personal watercraft, canoes and kayaks. Rules and regulations that apply to Lake Wilcox include:

• Shoreline speed limits of 10 km/hr within 30 m of the shore
• Speed limit of 9 km/hr on the southern part of the lake
• No sporting events on the southern part of the lake
• No boating 75 m from the shore starting from where the river from Lake St. George enters Lake Wilcox (east of the Canoe Club) to Bethesda Side Road

Safe boating

You are responsible for practicing safe boating while on the lake. Some important safety tips to remember are:

• Always wear a life jacket or personal floatation device
• Have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card with you
• Don't drink alcohol when you are boating or will be boating
• Pay attention to weather conditions
• Have all safety equipment needed for the type of boat you are using
• Pay attention to your surroundings and other individuals using the lake
• Check your boat for safety hazards before taking it out

Contact the York Regional Police general line at 1-866-876-5423 for information about boating restrictions in a non-emergency.

Sporting events and races

Email Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety to discuss hosting a sports event on the lake in restricted areas. You can also reach them by phone at 1-800-267-6687.

Lake Wilcox Habitat Enhancement Project

Richmond Hill and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) started the Lake Wilcox Habitat Enhancement Project in 2005 to improve the in-water habitat of the Lake Wilcox shoreline.

Changes were made to North Shore Parkette. The lake's shoreline is mostly privately owned and educating landowners is a key part of the program. We help landowners who wish to join the project and make improvements on their property.

The Oak Ridges Friends of the Environment also supports the project. This community group helps us with events and spreads the word about the project to homeowners in the area.

Contact the TRCA for more information about the project.

Quick facts

Below are some quick facts about Lake Wilcox:

• Surface area of 55.6 ha
• Watershed area of 489.3 ha (including Lake St. George watershed)
• Maximum depth of 17.4 m
• Shoreline perimeter of 2.90 km