Connecting the Wilson, Vanier and Traynor Park Network

We would like to thank all those who shared their thoughts with us during the engagement on the Vanier, Wilson, Traynor Parks project. Here is a short overview of what we heard from you:

Vanier Park

In Vanier Park, your feedback showed us that most respondents want to maintain a full-size basketball court in the park with the ability to flood the court. We also heard that a small water play area with water sprays is desired. Also, you want to see more seating options throughout the park such as benches, picnic tables, small seating areas, and a larger gathering area with shade.

Wilson Park

In Wilson Park, most respondents shared that they go there to experience and enjoy nature by spending time near the creek to observe wildlife, in quiet reflection. Several people shared they go to Wilson Park to host or attend picnics.

Traynor Park

In Traynor Park, you told us you want to see more bench seating, tree planting, and places to sit on the lawn.

We have prepared a full engagement report with more detail. Read the report

Final concepts

Your input has been used to shape the park designs for Vanier, Wilson, and Traynor Parks. View the final concepts for:

• Vanier Park
• Wilson Park
• Traynor Park

The Wilson Park space has been constructed as part of the Montgomery Creek restoration project and will be open soon. We are also working towards construction on Vanier and Traynor Parks in 2023.

Stay informed

Please subscribe for updates to this project by using the 'Stay Informed' Subscribe button.

If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Roy, Landscape Architect, rebecca.roy@kitchener.ca, 519-741-2600 x 4151

We heard from community members that they would like to honour the trees removed this spring as part of the creek restoration project in Wilson Park.

Complete this one-question survey and help decide how we include the willow log in the creek-side seating area. The survey closes on August 8, 2022.

If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Roy, Landscape Architect, rebecca.roy@kitchener.ca, 519-741-2600 x 4151

Did you miss our virtual information session about the design for Wilson, Vanier and Traynor Parks? A recording of the presentation is now available. Watch the video at: Connecting the Wilson, Vanier and Traynor Park Network (November 24, 2021)

Thank you once again for your interest in the Wilson, Vanier, and Traynor Park network. The project team is working on the final designs and will share them on Engage soon.

As part of the park improvement process, we need to complete geotechnical investigation work to inform the construction. This work was delayed earlier this year.

The impact of this delay on the construction timeline for Vanier and Traynor parks is significant, but we will keep you updated as the project unfolds. The Wilson Park amenity space next to the creek will still be built this year as part of the creek work.

Please subscribe for updates to this page by using the 'Stay Informed' button.

If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Roy, Landscape Architect, rebecca.roy@kitchener.ca, 519-741-2600 x 4151

On Wednesday, April 20, 2022 there will be construction equipment in Vanier Park, including a small drill rig. We need to drill a few boreholes to look at the soil profile to help inform the construction details. This is a routine part of the design process and is required before we can start work on the park. Work will begin in the morning.

Unfortunately, access to some park features may be affected at points during the day. The equipment will also make noise while in use. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Roy, Landscape Architect, at rebecca.roy@kitchener.ca, or 519-741-2600 x 4151.

During the summer of 2021, the project team engaged with the community in a number of ways to understand how the Wilson-Vanier-Traynor Park Network is currently used as well as how the parks can better support the community. A summary of the engagement is now available. Based on this initial input, preliminary conceptual designs have been developed for each park in the network.

These preliminary concepts and concept ideas are shown below as a starting point for discussion; the final design will change and respond to what we hear from you.

We are now reviewing the feedback you shared through the ideas board, survey and November 24 live forum. We will share the final design on this page once it is ready. More information can also be found through the links on this page, including timelines for next steps, additional documents, and a summary of engagement input.

Wilson Park

In coordination with the restoration work on Montgomery Creek, a new amenity space is planned that will provide both an opportunity for gathering with others and connection to the creek (map below). Some highlights of the potential elements that may be included in the space are now available. We want to hear what types of features you would prefer to use in the park.

Wilson Park: Concept context (click to enlarge)Vanier Park

There are two preliminary concepts shown below for Vanier Park. These are a starting point for discussion; the final design may be a combination of elements from both concepts, or may become a new concept altogether. Please share your input and any thoughts you have about the concepts.

Vanier Park Preliminary Concept: Pollinators + Play (click to enlarge)

Vanier Park Preliminary Concept 2: Games + Gather (click to enlarge)

Traynor Park

The concept for Traynor Park focuses on minor improvements to the space to improve function and to better connect it to Wilson and Vanier parks. The concept includes new signage and an improved space near the playground and trail.

Traynor Park Concept

Share your input!

Please share your input using the survey on this page. The design team will also be monitoring the “Ideas” tool, so please share your thoughts, ask questions, make comments to help shape the future of Wilson, Vanier and Traynor Parks. Be sure to mention if you are commenting on a specific park.

Have a question or want more information about Wilson, Vanier or Traynor parks?

On November 24, we will be hosting an online presentation and forum. Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqde6srzktE9B02d9WYeZSVppbjzDUGClx. Please note that you must register to reserve your spot. This event will be presented in English with live interpretation available in select languages. Please let us know your preferred language in your registration. We will make every effort to accommodate, however not all languages may be available.

We have updated the home page for the project. If you are looking for information that was up here previously, you can find it below:

The City of Kitchener is currently looking at ways to enhance Wilson, Vanier and Traynor Parks. Although they are three separate spaces, together they form a park network, all within a short walk of one another. The intent of the project is to maximize the connection between the parks and provide access to a variety of amenities over the entire network to support community needs.

Wilson Park work will focus on minor upgrades and will also be coordinated with restoration work planned for Montgomery Creek and a proposed upgrade to a gas line running through the park. The scope of the creek improvements includes the naturalization of the channel with a more meandering layout and the addition of native planting.

At Vanier Park, work will involve a comprehensive plan to upgrade a variety of the park elements and explore new features for the space. There is an existing community garden that will remain. The gas line from Wilson continues into Vanier, and this work will need to be coordinated, along with the new pedestrian bridge over the creek.

Upgrades to Traynor Park are generally expected to be minor, with a focus on connecting this space to the other two.

With this combination of park projects, there are a number of opportunities to add features to serve the entire area. These may include new play features, sports areas, accessibility upgrades, and better connections to the creek.

Right now, the project team hopes to highlight the existing parks and gain some understanding from you – the community – about them. Below and in the links to the right, please find an existing conditions plan of the parks along with some recent site photographs for your reference. We also encourage you to fill out the “Ideas” board below with your thoughts or ideas for the park space.

Have a question? We know people are tired of virtual meetings but are perhaps not yet comfortable with in person events, so we're doing this consultation a different way. From August 9 to 13 we will host an online forum right here on this page. The project team will be closely monitoring this forum during business hours that week, answering your questions in real time. Visit this page anytime that week to ask questions, make comments and learn more about the Wilson, Vanier, Traynor project.

The City of Kitchener has partnered with Reep Green Solutions to help you make changes to your landscape that will beautify your yard and reduce runoff to Montgomery Creek. When we work together to slow rain down and soak it up in our parks and in our yards, we can improve the health of our local waterways and reduce community flood risk. To learn more and to see if you qualify for a free, on-site consultation with a landscape designer, visit Reep's Rain Smart Neighbourhoods.

Stormwater management

We’re also improving resilience against climate change by incorporating stormwater management at the park.

Stormwater management will allow the area to better collect stormwater runoff caused by events such as heavy rainfall and snow melt. This will help to reduce the risk of flooding and ensure safety of the community.

This initiative is made possible by the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) in partnership with the Government of Canada. For more information, visit www.kitchener.ca/Stormwater