Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategy
In Kitchener, we know parks aren’t just important – they’re essential. Parks are more than the sum of their parts. They are extensions of the communities they are placed in and contribute significantly to the community’s identity and individuals’ connections within it. Whether you use 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!
Places and Spaces is an update to the existing Parks Strategic Plan adopted by City Council in 2010. It is the recasting of the parks plan to better reflect current demands of park space. It will re-evaluate all aspects of parks delivery in Kitchener down to the fundamental level - what makes a quality park in Kitchener?
The purpose of this strategy is to:
- Re-affirm Kitchener’s vision and commitment to building and maintaining public parks
- Provide multiple guiding principles and policy themes to inform future park development
- Modernize the process of park acquisitions
There are two core focuses for this strategy:
Places: the vision of parks in Kitchener. Places focuses on the quality of our parks for placemaking and creating diverse and functional spaces. Places will explore a wide range of themes, including principles of design (equity, accessibility), environmental (habitat, stormwater and climate change), and specific infrastructure planning (playgrounds, sportsfields, dog parks).
Spaces: explores the quantity of parks in Kitchener, and parks context within the City. It will detail Kitchener’s current inventory, look at the definitions of park space, determine the amount of park space we need and where, and provide or update the tools in which we acquire those spaces.
Please read the Foundations document, which outlines the Parks Strategic Plan update process, its structure and guiding principles.
We want to hear from you!
Over the next 18 months, we are engaging residents to better understand how parks are used, what barriers exist to using parks, and what you value most about parks. Guiding documents, created with the data collected from these engagements, will help shape more inclusive and all-welcoming Kitchener parks.
Subscribe for updates by adding your email to the Stay Informed box on this page, then click 'Subscribe'.
In Kitchener, we know parks aren’t just important – they’re essential. Parks are more than the sum of their parts. They are extensions of the communities they are placed in and contribute significantly to the community’s identity and individuals’ connections within it. Whether you use 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!
Places and Spaces is an update to the existing Parks Strategic Plan adopted by City Council in 2010. It is the recasting of the parks plan to better reflect current demands of park space. It will re-evaluate all aspects of parks delivery in Kitchener down to the fundamental level - what makes a quality park in Kitchener?
The purpose of this strategy is to:
- Re-affirm Kitchener’s vision and commitment to building and maintaining public parks
- Provide multiple guiding principles and policy themes to inform future park development
- Modernize the process of park acquisitions
There are two core focuses for this strategy:
Places: the vision of parks in Kitchener. Places focuses on the quality of our parks for placemaking and creating diverse and functional spaces. Places will explore a wide range of themes, including principles of design (equity, accessibility), environmental (habitat, stormwater and climate change), and specific infrastructure planning (playgrounds, sportsfields, dog parks).
Spaces: explores the quantity of parks in Kitchener, and parks context within the City. It will detail Kitchener’s current inventory, look at the definitions of park space, determine the amount of park space we need and where, and provide or update the tools in which we acquire those spaces.
Please read the Foundations document, which outlines the Parks Strategic Plan update process, its structure and guiding principles.
We want to hear from you!
Over the next 18 months, we are engaging residents to better understand how parks are used, what barriers exist to using parks, and what you value most about parks. Guiding documents, created with the data collected from these engagements, will help shape more inclusive and all-welcoming Kitchener parks.
Subscribe for updates by adding your email to the Stay Informed box on this page, then click 'Subscribe'.
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Share What alternative sports and recreation do you want to do? on Facebook Share What alternative sports and recreation do you want to do? on Twitter Share What alternative sports and recreation do you want to do? on Linkedin Email What alternative sports and recreation do you want to do? linkCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.
Alternative sports, sometimes called “action sports”, are not as common as conventional sports and often challenge traditional sporting practice. These types of sports typically do not have formal organizations or leagues and are sometimes related to a particular subculture. Some examples include: skateboarding, BMX, disc golf, roller skating, parkour, ultimate frisbee, and outdoor exercise equipment.
We’d like to hear your ideas for unconventional or alternative sports and recreation that we could consider making space for in Kitchener parks. Tell us:
- What alternative sports and recreation would you want to do in Kitchener parks that you can’t do now?
- What infrastructure or support would you need to be able to do this?
Share your ideas and heart the ones you like or agree with!
To protect your privacy, please do not include your last name in your username.
Please check out our surveys on other parks topics.
Mindie12 months agoArchery range
0 comment3Ani11 months agoOutdoor chess tables.
Every park should have 4 chess tables to bring community together.
1 comment6bwr10 months agoKitchener needs to provide dedicated Pickleball courts for all ages to access now!
Kitchener's website is misleading as it indicates that more Pickleball courts would be added in 2022 and they're still not available. Hard to find current info and access online. Kitchener needs dedicated Pickleball courts now. Kitchener is far behind much smaller towns with less budget dollars that have provided PB courts for their citizens. (ie Midland and Penetang, ON) Pickleball is the fastest growing sport for all ages - not just seniors. It is very disappointing that Kitchener's Parks & Rec don't have plans to add more courts quickly and they won't even add painted lines on existing tennis courts. (and maintain those older courts.) Community development should include providing both Indoor and Outdoor courts.
0 comment0JenC12 months agoBall hockey court, bike /scooter park
Paved area to play ball hockey instead of on the street. A bike /scooter/skateboard track with hills like the one at Riverside park in Cambridge!
0 comment2Chris M.12 months agoDog Agility
There are very few spaces for dogs in general, and none for structured activities. Dog agility training is great exercise for both people and their pets.
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Share How would you like to play in Kitchener parks? on Facebook Share How would you like to play in Kitchener parks? on Twitter Share How would you like to play in Kitchener parks? on Linkedin Email How would you like to play in Kitchener parks? link
How would you like to play in Kitchener parks?
12 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Are there ways you or your family would like play in Kitchener parks, but currently can’t? Like what?
For example, are there any sports or table top games you or your family would like to play in Kitchener parks, but currently can’t?
Share your ideas below and "heart" the ones you agree with!
This board closes Jan. 13, 2022.
Dupliciousover 1 year agoTrees and landscape features in the Aud dog park
0 comment3Chris Cover 1 year agoTable tennis
I would love to be able to play table tennis outdoors with friends. Promotes activity and social interaction at a meet up place, and the benefits of being outside.
2 comments5QTPa2Tover 1 year agoPark Spaces in Newer Neighbourhoods
Would like to see the green spaces in new neighbourhoods developed faster... takes years for them to be built while the families in those neighbourhoods have to travel further for just basic play space
0 comment0Jiteshover 1 year agoSmall Gym
Hey i wish in park there were small gyms for being active and working out in nature if weights would be there it would be Cherry on the cake
0 comment0G Singhover 1 year agoWashrooms, more benches, sanitizing stations, play structures for kids. SAFETY —- have seen broken glass bottles at kids play structures.
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Share How might we create spaces where adults and older youth can play? on Facebook Share How might we create spaces where adults and older youth can play? on Twitter Share How might we create spaces where adults and older youth can play? on Linkedin Email How might we create spaces where adults and older youth can play? linkCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.
Play is something that all park users – young and old can experience! How can we create spaces where adults and older youth can play?
Share your ideas below and "heart" the ones you agree with!
This board closes Jan. 13, 2022.
QTPa2Tover 1 year agoMore like Eden Oak Park
This is a mixed use park used by all age groups - seating, looped walking trail, open space, plastic and wooden playground areas, basketball net, tennis court, etc. Will be great when the trees get bigger for more shade. Just could use a few tables that could be used for gaming, and love the idea for licencing small pop-up coffee/treat vendors to visit the park too
0 comment2JbPover 1 year agoExpand Francis Green Park
Now that we've been informed that Francis Street is to be closed for four (4!) years, I think we should take this as an opportunity to permanently expand Francis Green Park. Closing the street between King and Halls Lane and expanding the Francis Green Park into the space would make a world of a difference to those who live and work downtown. This would also allow vehicles to access the TD Parking lot, plus it would maintain the vehicle corridor of Halls Lane. While there may be calculated traffic impacts, the city has already recognized that they don't matter if the road is to be shut down for building a condo. Therefore, improving the lives of the local residents should hold equal or greater weight!
1 comment6Elizabeth-Mover 1 year agoPop-up playgrounds and musical swings
The pop-up playground in front of Kitchener City Hall was a huge hit and so we’re the musical swings and uptown Waterloo town square. More of these initiatives!
0 comment1Elizabeth-Mover 1 year agoLooped skating rink or forest skating trail
Rapidly growing in popularity, great for all ages,great tourist attraction, great excercise
0 comment4Zack Mover 1 year agoMulti use sport surface
Having a mixed use space where you could play ball hockey and basketball in the same area. Could also be used for outdoor rink in winter. Outdoor ping pong, chess table and other activities would be great too.
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Share How can we create park spaces that support community gathering and growth? on Facebook Share How can we create park spaces that support community gathering and growth? on Twitter Share How can we create park spaces that support community gathering and growth? on Linkedin Email How can we create park spaces that support community gathering and growth? linkCLOSED: This ideas board has concluded.
Do Kitchener’s parks allow for community building? Why or why not? What can we do to help create spaces that support community gathering and growth?
Share your ideas and 'heart' the other ones you like.
This board closes October 31, 2022.
LLCMover 1 year agoCommunication boards
Would need to be customized based on the park’s amenities, the image is just an example. But would be a simple way to add some inclusiveness to parks.
0 comment1Artalmost 2 years agoI like Kiwanis park & pool because it has a bit of everything and best of all I can use charcoal for BBQ
BBQ on charcoal
0 comment2r@over 1 year agoI would love to see parks & spaces serve teens better.
I would love to see parks & spaces serve teens better. Growing up in KW it was common to hangout at the local plaza parking lot and that has not changed much from my recent drive (Ottawa & River Rd). How can we create parks and spaces to also meet the teenager demographic ? Maybe its building spaces within the local plaza, where teens can meetup and collaborate (eg. create digital media content together, work on projects together, get a chance to be social apart from organized sports). I found growing up in KW, parks are well suited for children but not so much for teens unless it was a sports complex that not everyone had access to (either the complex was too far or was meant for organized sports). I think the Region can be innovative here to provide more accessible space for teens that are ideally walking distance away. In the suburban areas, the closest thing by foot is typically a school, church or... the local plaza :) Please share your ideas on this topic too.
1 comment4DavidEhalmost 2 years agoShelters & Tables
Parks that have shelter space really help encourage gathering together as community and families. While our most popular parks have these sort of investments many other middle sized parks do not.
0 comment14Seniortrailuserover 1 year agoWhere trails cross Union St. in Breithaupt Park there are no visually safe crossings, trail warnings for drivers or proper safety measures
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Share What can we do to help foster belonging in Kitchener parks? on Facebook Share What can we do to help foster belonging in Kitchener parks? on Twitter Share What can we do to help foster belonging in Kitchener parks? on Linkedin Email What can we do to help foster belonging in Kitchener parks? linkCLOSED: This ideas board has concluded.
Are Kitchener’s parks welcoming? Why, why not? What can we do to help foster belonging in Kitchener parks for you, your loved ones, and community? Share your ideas with us and 'heart' the ideas you like.
LoriRover 1 year agoTables for gaming
Offer tables, not just bench or picnic table, seating that could facilitate cards or checkers or chess (even better, paint the board on the table)
0 comment1Binaalmost 2 years agoBasketball court or net at Eby park
Lots of low income kids on Holdborn Dr. The preteens don't have much to do and most of them can't go far and some of them are from families that don't know where there next meal is coming from. The kids at the townhouses on Holborn have made a makeshift basket ball court on the grass of the townhouses. Is there anyway the city could put up a basket ball court at Eby park or the field behind the fire station or the low income housing where alot of those kids are from in there grass area?
0 comment4LoriRover 1 year agoOffering ways to play a multitude of casual sports
Pickleball, badminton, mini soccer nets, netball, and other sporting activities that people of all ages could play.
0 comment0Jbrookalmost 2 years agoMore Parkettes
It would be nice to see more parkettes throughout the city, but especially in areas with higher densities where many residents do not have private ourdoor space. Ideally every resident would be within 5 minute walk of a park or parkette. It could be small, but should offer a place to sit, landscaping, shade and feature of interest for a wide variety of ages groups like a climable statue, stepping stones, or public art.
1 comment4Mahwishover 1 year agoLooking forward for more parks with nets for basketball, cricket and badminton.Not everyone can afford to get to paid nets everyday to get h
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Share What does an accessible park space look like for you or your loved ones? on Facebook Share What does an accessible park space look like for you or your loved ones? on Twitter Share What does an accessible park space look like for you or your loved ones? on Linkedin Email What does an accessible park space look like for you or your loved ones? linkCLOSED: This ideas board has concluded.
Are Kitchener's parks accessible? Why or why not? What does an accessible park space look like for you or your loved ones? Share your ideas and 'heart' the other ones you like.
Xavientoisalmost 2 years agoSeparate high-speed from low-speed travel
For particularly busy parks, it might make sense to widen walkways and/or provide separate rights of way for faster modes than walking such as cycling or rollerblading
0 comment4Erin Dover 1 year agoMore public seating and benches
In general more benches/places to sit.
1 comment3Xavientoisalmost 2 years agoCurb Cuts
Ensuring that all potential points of access to the parks are level with the road to ensure that everyone (wheelchair-users, cyclists, folks riding strollers, etc) can access park spaces with ease.
0 comment4teraover 1 year agoAble to get to the park by public transit
Victoria Park is easily accessed by public transit from all over the Region, but Kiwanis Park is strangely not accessible by any bus route, although it's only 5 km away, without walking most of the way.
0 comment4teraover 1 year agoPaved pathways
Speaking to other people, include someone who uses a wheelchair, and another older adult, all three of us dislike rocky, or loose stones, pathways. Paved pathways, especially over hills, is much safer, easier for people with mobility devices, and overall more enjoyable. Having stony pathways screams "don't bike, don't run, don't rollerblade here!"
1 comment3
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Lifecycle
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Open for feedback (phase 1)
Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategy has finished this stageDo you use Kitchener parks? Why or why not? What makes a truly great park? Take our survey, brainstorm ideas, share your stories or attend a workshop!
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Under review
Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategy has finished this stageWe are reviewing your contributions. The draft Spaces document and Park Dedication by-law will go to Council in June 2022.
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Open for feedback (phase 2)
Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategy has finished this stageWhat else do we need to consider when it comes to planning parks and open spaces? Share your comments and feedback.
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Under review
Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategy is currently at this stageWe are reviewing your contributions and will report back on the outcomes in the next step.
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Open for feedback (phase 3)
this is an upcoming stage for Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategyDid we miss anything? Take a look at our draft strategy and let us know if we got it right.
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Closed
this is an upcoming stage for Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategyThank you to everyone who contributed to our strategy! The final strategy and report is being prepared for Council.
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Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategyThe final report to Council was submitted and the outcomes of this engagement are documented here.
Key Dates
Documents
- Downtown parks maps (1.58 MB) (pdf)
- Parks classifications (22.3 MB) (pdf)
- Spaces - Park Dedication Summary (English) (2.33 MB) (pdf)
- Spaces: Summary (English) (4.3 MB) (pdf)
- Did you know? Factsheet about dogs in Kitchener (303 KB) (pdf)
- Places and Spaces: Project Introduction & Overview (2.36 MB) (pdf)
Important Links
FAQs
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Demographic Questions FAQ
- Why are we collecting socio-demographic data?
- Why are you asking me about my sexual orientation, gender identity or race?
- Why are you asking me about my place of birth?
- Why do you need to know how much money I earn? Do you report this to any agency?
- Are you allowed to ask me these questions?
- What are you going to do with my information?
- Who can see my information?
- Do I have to participate?
- What if there are questions that I don’t want to answer?
Who's Listening
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Manager, Parks and Open Space Design and Development
Phone 519-741-2200 x4045 Email ashley.visneski@kitchener.ca -
Phone 519-741-2600 ext 4397 Email Mark.Parris@kitchener.ca