What Should Kitchener's Parks Look Like for the Next Decade?

Official title: Places and Spaces: Kitchener's park and open space strategy

Closed Community Planning Environment & Climate Housing & Communities
Kitchener has finished updating its parks strategy. The city asked residents what makes a great park, what barriers stop people from using them, and what they value most. The final plan—covering everything from playgrounds to dog parks to green space—was approved by Council in June 2025.

Why This Matters

Use Kitchener parks to walk your dog, play with your kids, or just sit on a bench? This plan shapes what parks look like for the next 10 years. It covers playgrounds, sports fields, dog parks, and green spaces across the city.

What Could Change

The approved Parks Master Plan will guide how Kitchener acquires, designs, and maintains parks through 2035. New park developments will follow updated accessibility and equity principles. The city may change how it classifies parks and what amenities each type includes.

Key Issues

  • What makes a quality park in Kitchener?
  • What barriers prevent people from using parks?
  • How much park space does Kitchener need and where?
  • How should the city acquire new park land?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Places and Spaces: Foundations document to understand the strategy's guiding principles.
  2. Read the Spaces: Draft Strategy to see the full plan that was presented to Council.

What Happened

The consultation is complete. In June 2025, Council approved Kitchener's Parks Master Plan. The two-part strategy—Places (focusing on park quality and design) and Spaces (focusing on park quantity and acquisition)—will guide park development for the next decade.

Key Documents