As part of updating the Official Plan, the City will review current Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) policies and create new ones. Through this review, we will:

  1. Review existing CHL policies in the Official Plan
  2. Add 27 CHLs to the cultural heritage resource map in the Official Plan
  3. Add new policies in response to recommendations from the 2014 CHL Study
  4. Add new policies that apply to the different types of CHLs

In addition, up to four neighbourhood-specific CHLs will be reviewed. These areas were chosen because they reflect development periods and architectural styles that aren’t protected elsewhere in the city. These include:

  • Caryndale Neighbourhood CHL
  • Pandora Neighbourhood CHL
  • Queens Boulevard CHL
  • Rockway Neighbourhood CHL

For more information, please read the Sept 15, 2025 Open House slides.

A cultural heritage landscape (CHL) is a place that holds special meaning because of how people have lived, worked, and shaped it over generations.

A CHL might include natural features (like rivers or hills) or human-made elements (like buildings, farms, or roads). Together, these help tell story of a community’s history, traditions, and way of life.

The review process will be similar to past CHL projects like those for Growing Together and Lower Doon. Any changes or new policies will follow best practices in CHL conservation, using standards and guidelines from the Federal government, Province, Region, and Municipality.

Open House slides

Background information

Past activities

These opportunities to share your thoughts have passed. They are saved here for your reference.

In-person

September 15, 2025 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Open House

Rockway Golf Course (625 Rockway Drive)

September 16, 2025 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Caryndale neighbourhood walk

Meet in front of Carmel New Church (40 Chapel Hill Drive)

September 17, 2025 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Queen’s Boulevard neighbourhood walk

Meet at Queen’s Boulevard and Highland Road intersection

September 23, 2025 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Pandora neighbourhood walk

Meet at Pandora Crescent and East Avenue intersection

September 24, 2025 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Rockway neighbourhood walk

Meet at Rockway Golf Course parking lot (625 Rockway Drive)

Decorative banner with Kitchener 2051 branding

Share your neighbourhood memories and stories

Heritage can include stories, memories, knowledge or traditions associated with a landscape. Although they don’t relate to the physical built form, these are also an important part of heritage conservation.

We’d love to hear your stories and memories! Tell us:

  • Who lived there in the past and why did they live there?
  • What’s special or unique about how your neighbourhood came to be?
  • Who and what made your neighbourhood what it is?
  • If you’re new to the neighbourhood, what stories have you been told about its past?
  • If you grew up there, what do you remember most? What stories do you recall hearing?

Share your memories and stories until October 8, 2025.

  • Add your story or photo. Click ‘Post your story’ to get started.
  • View other stories and photos. Use the 'Filter by' drop-down to filter by neighbourhood.
  • Click the 'heart' button on the ones you like.
  • Feel free to comment on the stories and memories others have shared.

City of Kitchener Heritage Planning Team

heritage@kitchener.ca

Phone: 519-783-8909

TTY: 1-866-969-9994