Aquatic Invasive Species (Zebra Mussel) Managment and Prevention Project

A yellow beach cleaning machine labeled "Cherrington 600PT" with a slide hopper collecting sand and debris at the beach shoreline with water in the background.
Two women in yellow shirts working with a wheelbarrow filled with sand or gravel outdoors on a partly cloudy day.
People working outdoors near a body of water, with a small off-road vehicle and shovels, on a rocky, grassy area surrounded by trees.

01 — Apply for funding

The Zebra Mussel Leadership team is currently applying for funding to aquire a tractor, heavy-duty dump trailers with winch lift, and a shell grinder. In 2025 we purchased shovels, rakes, small ATV trailer, and a used Cherrington Beach Cleaner.

02 — Apply for permit

The Government of Manitoba requires a possession permit to even pick up a zebra mussel shell and move it one foot over.

03 — Schedule 2026 Volunteer Clean-up Dates

In 2025, over 100 volunteers from Hillside Beach and surrounding communities of Belair, Traverse Bay and Victoria Bay Estates participated in 3 clean-ups. In 2026 we hope to have the funds and equipment to expand this to 8 clean-ups.

04 — More Information

Read the 2025 Hillside Beach Zebra Mussel Clean-up Summary PDF

Watch videos from 2025 Clean-ups

·       Clean-up 1: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLvnSg3ByIE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

·       Clean-up 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18w9YG3kUE/

·       Cherrington in action: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1G5crDbtny/

Project Leadership team: Laura Kemp, Patrick Jolicoeur, Brent Gillon, Ryan Hitch Planner, Calvin Chartrand, Kathy Cherepak, and Chris Grant

For more information contact Laura at 204-791-1746

HBCA is an Advocate for well maintained RM Alexander Boat Launches

Our Beaches and Boat Launches

An aerial view of a lakeshore with a rocky breakwater curved into the water, a dirt road, a black vehicle, and a forested area with trees.

Hillside has two primary beaches. The first, located off Lagoon Road, is a 2 km sandy shoreline bordered by dunes and the lagoon, with two small lagoon-side beaches approximately 100 ft each. Parking is available along Lagoon Road and in a nearby gravel lot. The second beach, accessed from Hillside Beach Road and running along Rashee Lane and Bergey Drive, is known locally as Pebble Beach or Rocky Beach. With only a few accessible parking spots, visitors are encouraged to walk or bike. This quieter beach offers direct sunset views and has become increasingly sandy over the years, making it popular with families.

Hillside also has two boat launches. The Harry Craig Road launch includes a dock, picnic shelter, and large parking area, providing lagoon access with a channel to Lake Winnipeg. The second launch, at the end of Hillside Point Road, has no dock or parking; vehicles typically park along the road or return home with trailers. This launch is a favoured access point for winter ice fishing.

All beaches and launches serve the broader communities of Traverse Bay, Albert Beach, Victoria Bay Estates, and Belair.