Your Idlewood Greenway, your watershed

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Connecting the stormwater storage facility within the Greenway

In 2026 we will add an underground stormwater storage facility to Idlewood Greenway. This is part of a larger project to build climate change resilience and improve water quality in Kitchener creeks. The trail through Idlewood Greenway will also be upgraded as part of this project.

The project team wants to understand how you use Idlewood Greenway and what’s important to your experience. Knowing this will help us to plan for construction. Your feedback will also help us decide how to replant the surface over the underground stormwater storage facility.

Background

In 2016, the City of Kitchener completed an Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan. This plan created a strategy to manage stormwater for the next 15 years. Through this plan, we learned that only 25% of runoff in the city is managed through stormwater facilities. This means 75% of runoff from heavy rainfall and snow melt flows into storm sewers, washing pollutants into local creeks.

Through the 2016 plan, we identified Idlewood Greenway as a place to add an underground stormwater storage facility to collect runoff. This will help to:

• Improve water quality in Idlewood Creek and the Grand River;

• Reduce the risk of flooding;

• Reduce erosion in Idlewood Creek;

• Improve resilience against climate change; and

• Enhance community safety.


Connecting the stormwater storage facility within the Greenway

In 2026 we will add an underground stormwater storage facility to Idlewood Greenway. This is part of a larger project to build climate change resilience and improve water quality in Kitchener creeks. The trail through Idlewood Greenway will also be upgraded as part of this project.

The project team wants to understand how you use Idlewood Greenway and what’s important to your experience. Knowing this will help us to plan for construction. Your feedback will also help us decide how to replant the surface over the underground stormwater storage facility.

Background

In 2016, the City of Kitchener completed an Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan. This plan created a strategy to manage stormwater for the next 15 years. Through this plan, we learned that only 25% of runoff in the city is managed through stormwater facilities. This means 75% of runoff from heavy rainfall and snow melt flows into storm sewers, washing pollutants into local creeks.

Through the 2016 plan, we identified Idlewood Greenway as a place to add an underground stormwater storage facility to collect runoff. This will help to:

• Improve water quality in Idlewood Creek and the Grand River;

• Reduce the risk of flooding;

• Reduce erosion in Idlewood Creek;

• Improve resilience against climate change; and

• Enhance community safety.

Ask a Question

Do you have a question about this project? Ask it here.

Because of the high number of questions we're receiving about our stormwater management projects, we can't answer most questions directly. Instead, we'll update our FAQ section of this Engage page with new questions. 

To protect your privacy:

  • Do not include your last name in your username
  • Do not include any personal information (like your address) in your question  

We usually respond within three business days. If your question is urgent, call the City of Kitchener at 519-741-2345 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994)

 

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  • Share We have lived in the area for 35 years and make good use of this trail. Re upgrading specifically the trail, in several areas water cannot cross the trail , between Coventry and Jadestone, as the ground on the south side is higher than the trail. The water backs up on the trail and onto the north side of the trail. I would appreciate if this would be remedied with the upgrade. Also the existing catch basin, water entering that where does it exit, into the creek or sanitary sewer ? Curious as to the need for the upgrade. In all the years there has never been even a remote chance of flooding .Also interested in knowing how the underground storage facility will improve the water quality , will there be filters or ? The storage facility will it be like a lined container or ? What is proposed to be on top of the holding area, grasses, shrubs or ?. Appears to be an expense that is not necessary as I think there are more critical areas that have to be addressed. Will there be a meeting for interested residents to attend to see the plans? Thanks for the opportunity to respond. on Facebook Share We have lived in the area for 35 years and make good use of this trail. Re upgrading specifically the trail, in several areas water cannot cross the trail , between Coventry and Jadestone, as the ground on the south side is higher than the trail. The water backs up on the trail and onto the north side of the trail. I would appreciate if this would be remedied with the upgrade. Also the existing catch basin, water entering that where does it exit, into the creek or sanitary sewer ? Curious as to the need for the upgrade. In all the years there has never been even a remote chance of flooding .Also interested in knowing how the underground storage facility will improve the water quality , will there be filters or ? The storage facility will it be like a lined container or ? What is proposed to be on top of the holding area, grasses, shrubs or ?. Appears to be an expense that is not necessary as I think there are more critical areas that have to be addressed. Will there be a meeting for interested residents to attend to see the plans? Thanks for the opportunity to respond. on Twitter Share We have lived in the area for 35 years and make good use of this trail. Re upgrading specifically the trail, in several areas water cannot cross the trail , between Coventry and Jadestone, as the ground on the south side is higher than the trail. The water backs up on the trail and onto the north side of the trail. I would appreciate if this would be remedied with the upgrade. Also the existing catch basin, water entering that where does it exit, into the creek or sanitary sewer ? Curious as to the need for the upgrade. In all the years there has never been even a remote chance of flooding .Also interested in knowing how the underground storage facility will improve the water quality , will there be filters or ? The storage facility will it be like a lined container or ? What is proposed to be on top of the holding area, grasses, shrubs or ?. Appears to be an expense that is not necessary as I think there are more critical areas that have to be addressed. Will there be a meeting for interested residents to attend to see the plans? Thanks for the opportunity to respond. on Linkedin Email We have lived in the area for 35 years and make good use of this trail. Re upgrading specifically the trail, in several areas water cannot cross the trail , between Coventry and Jadestone, as the ground on the south side is higher than the trail. The water backs up on the trail and onto the north side of the trail. I would appreciate if this would be remedied with the upgrade. Also the existing catch basin, water entering that where does it exit, into the creek or sanitary sewer ? Curious as to the need for the upgrade. In all the years there has never been even a remote chance of flooding .Also interested in knowing how the underground storage facility will improve the water quality , will there be filters or ? The storage facility will it be like a lined container or ? What is proposed to be on top of the holding area, grasses, shrubs or ?. Appears to be an expense that is not necessary as I think there are more critical areas that have to be addressed. Will there be a meeting for interested residents to attend to see the plans? Thanks for the opportunity to respond. link

    We have lived in the area for 35 years and make good use of this trail. Re upgrading specifically the trail, in several areas water cannot cross the trail , between Coventry and Jadestone, as the ground on the south side is higher than the trail. The water backs up on the trail and onto the north side of the trail. I would appreciate if this would be remedied with the upgrade. Also the existing catch basin, water entering that where does it exit, into the creek or sanitary sewer ? Curious as to the need for the upgrade. In all the years there has never been even a remote chance of flooding .Also interested in knowing how the underground storage facility will improve the water quality , will there be filters or ? The storage facility will it be like a lined container or ? What is proposed to be on top of the holding area, grasses, shrubs or ?. Appears to be an expense that is not necessary as I think there are more critical areas that have to be addressed. Will there be a meeting for interested residents to attend to see the plans? Thanks for the opportunity to respond.

    19darlington asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your comments about the trail. Your feedback helps ensure we don't miss these issues. As we survey, we will record elevations of the problem areas. We will design the trail upgrade to prevent future pooling.

    The catchbasin currently drains water through the stormwater network into Idlewood Creek south of Edenbridge Drive. With this setup, rains wash contaminants from roads into the creek. During storms, rains drain into the creek at high volumes, causing soil erosion. The purpose of this project is to drain the catchbasin into an underground storage tank. The underground stormwater storage design allows oil and grit to settle. After this passive filtering, rain water discharges slowly into Idlewood Creek. These changes will improve the downstream health of the creek and Grand River.

    We will not have any preliminary designs for the storage container until 2023 or later. Watch for a survey later this year to help us understand how the community uses the greenway. We will also hold a public meeting later to share project details and answer questions. Please subscribe to the Engage page, where we will share project updates. This project is one of 12 stormwater management installations proposed throughout park areas in the City. It has been selected due to the need for stormwater management before discharging into the creek.

  • Share Will paths be returned to a natural habit rather then paved? on Facebook Share Will paths be returned to a natural habit rather then paved? on Twitter Share Will paths be returned to a natural habit rather then paved? on Linkedin Email Will paths be returned to a natural habit rather then paved? link

    Will paths be returned to a natural habit rather then paved?

    Suepeng asked over 1 year ago

    Thanks for your question. We will replace the existing trail network with a paved three-meter-wide asphalt trail. This is part of the City’s commitment to making multi-use trails comfortable for all ages and abilities. We will upgrade all trail entrances by adding line painting, permanent and removable bollards, and signage.

  • Share Hello. I have a few questions. Why were the residents backing onto the greenspace NOT informed in advance of the project start date? What is the expected time line from start to finish once the work begins? Will there be any noise created by the water storage containers once installed? How much noise will be created by regular maintenance on the water storage containers. on Facebook Share Hello. I have a few questions. Why were the residents backing onto the greenspace NOT informed in advance of the project start date? What is the expected time line from start to finish once the work begins? Will there be any noise created by the water storage containers once installed? How much noise will be created by regular maintenance on the water storage containers. on Twitter Share Hello. I have a few questions. Why were the residents backing onto the greenspace NOT informed in advance of the project start date? What is the expected time line from start to finish once the work begins? Will there be any noise created by the water storage containers once installed? How much noise will be created by regular maintenance on the water storage containers. on Linkedin Email Hello. I have a few questions. Why were the residents backing onto the greenspace NOT informed in advance of the project start date? What is the expected time line from start to finish once the work begins? Will there be any noise created by the water storage containers once installed? How much noise will be created by regular maintenance on the water storage containers. link

    Hello. I have a few questions. Why were the residents backing onto the greenspace NOT informed in advance of the project start date? What is the expected time line from start to finish once the work begins? Will there be any noise created by the water storage containers once installed? How much noise will be created by regular maintenance on the water storage containers.

    Jacianne asked over 1 year ago

    Thanks for your questions. This project will not be constructed until 2026. In early August 2022, we sent postcards to people living next to the trail network and placed signs within the greenway. We aimed to inform trail users and immediate neighbours of this project well before designs were developed. We will mail invitations to a public meeting to a much broader neighbourhood area as the project progresses. Currently, preliminary work is underway in the greenway to investigate soil conditions. Please subscribe to this Engage page to receive project updates. Watch for a survey later this fall to help us understand how the community uses Idlewood Greenway.

    The underground stormwater storage facility will not make noise once installed. Maintenance with heavy equipment will likely be required every few years. We can't confirm the maintenance schedule until the designs are finalized.    

    noise,communications,neighbours,timing
    noise communications neighbours timing
Page last updated: 23 Apr 2024, 11:04 AM