In Kitchener, we know parks aren’t just important – they’re essential to our community. Whether you use our parks to gather, unwind, exercise, socialize, play, or celebrate, we want to hear from you. Let us know what a great park means to you!

Today marks the start of the first phase of community engagement for Places and Spaces, Kitchener’s park, and open space strategy. Resident feedback will help the City build the types of parks and open spaces that residents value most.

“Our parks and open spaces are such an important part of what makes Kitchener a great place to live, work and play,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Whether you use parks to walk the dog, enjoy an outdoor activity, or gather with friends to celebrate culture together, we know that Kitchener parks enrich the lives of our residents and contribute to their sense of belonging. With input from the community, we can ensure future investment in our parks and open spaces reflect the needs and priorities of residents.”

Starting today, residents can share their views and ideas by completing an online survey and sharing their personal parks stories on Engage Kitchener. In addition, staff are working with stakeholder groups to ensure COVID-safe opportunities are available to equity deserving communities that may not be able to participate online.

Input will be used to develop a series of guidelines for what makes a great park and open space and will guide the City’s decision-making and future investment in park amenities, facilities, and infrastructure for the next 10-years or more. It will also be used to shape the City’s approach to supporting, maintaining, and developing new and reinvesting in older parks and open spaces.

“Parks really do provide the backdrop for building community,” said Niall Lobley, director of parks and cemeteries at the City of Kitchener. “I look forward to hearing what the community would like to see the city focus on as we work through the phases of our community engagement and look toward the next decade of parks and open spaces at the City of Kitchener.”

This is the first of many conversations the City will have with the community as Places and Spaces takes shape. Subscribe to Engage Kitchener to stay up to date and informed of upcoming engagement opportunities as this project progresses.

For more information or to complete the survey, visit www.engagewr.ca/placesandspaces. The online survey closes on Jan. 7, 2022.

For more information contact:
Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca