13-05-2025
City of Kitchener reveals future plans for parks and greenspaces
CTV's Heather Senoran explains how parks and greenspaces in Kitchener could change to keep up with a booming population.
The City of Kitchener will be updating many parks and greenspaces in the next decade as part of its Places and Spaces Masterplan.
City staff presented 50 recommendations in 15 different categories on Monday at a Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting.
'For many people in our community, our parks are their backyard. They're their cottage, they're their open space,' said Margaret Johnson, a city councillor and chair of the committee.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said it is a much-needed upgrade to the city's 2010 Parks Strategic Plan.
'Staff really updated it to both reflect the fact that we're a growing and changing community and our needs have changed in that regard. But also to recognize what's the next body of work that needs to guide us,' Vrbanovic told CTV News.
Soccer field at Woodside Park Kitchener, Ont.
Soccer fields are seen at Woodside Park in Kitchener, Ont. on May 12, 2025. (Heather Senoran/CTV News)
For kids, rubberized play surfaces will be installed where necessary for safety purposes. The city is also considering more eco-friendly splashpads.
'Planning parks for the future includes creating a policy that prioritizes water conservation when expanding the splash pad network. And in a similar vein, work is underway by our colleagues in the Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities Division to integrate green infrastructure in existing parks,' said Rebecca Roy, the city's landscape architect.
City councillors said they were pleased with staffs' work on this.
The plan suggests more fenced dog parks especially in the city's south end. The city also suggested micro dog parks that are quieter and less crowded.
There's also plans to add more lighting to sports fields and convert some natural fields to artificial turf.
City staff said they want to look into upgrades across a network of several parks instead of improving one park at a time.
Staff stressed the importance of community gardens. There are currently more than 20 in Kitchener.
The city wants to make them more barrier-free and unveiled a plan to re-introduce a city coordinated community garden in an area of need.
'To support food security through opportunities for gardening, food literacy programming, community gathering, and demonstration,' said the report.
Queens Green Kitchener Community Garden
The Queen's Green Community Garden was photographed in Kitchener, Ont. on My 12, 2025. (Heather Senoran/CTV News)
The city said it will take about ten years to complete all the recommendations but noted that some measures have already been implemented.
'Obviously subject to budgets that will be considered by council each year throughout that time period,' said Vrbanovic.
