2024 Newsletters

VPNA Spring UpdateHere's the latest news from the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association!

 

Earth Day Victoria Park Clean Up Report

Thanks to everyone who made it out April 27th to help clean up in and around Victoria Park! It was a bit damp but not impossible, and we were all dressed for the weather. We thank Muriel and Alan Praught for inviting members of the local Liberal Association to join us. Not only did we clean up along the Iron Horse Trail and along Westmount Creek, we also had people in the water, cleaning out the creek beds.Here's a photo of our intrepid Clean Up Crew at the beginning of the morning, bags just waiting to be filled. Thanks to Wendy for taking the picture. Great job, everyone!

 

Green Walk

Join Us!Tuesday, June 18th6:30pm - 8:00pm(Rain Date Thurs, June 20th)Come for a walk with neighbours who will share their pollinator gardens and stormwater retention projects. We can all get inspired to give back to the environment!More Details To Come

 

Victoria Park Working Group (VPWG)

Rendering showing proposed renovations to the Boathouse in Victoria Park, City of KitchenerFor those of you who are new to our newsletter, the VPWG has worked to be a communications link between park users and City staff since 2007. VPNA has a representative who attends the group’s meetings, typically held about three times a year. Other members include three other local residents, our Ward 9 Councillor, and 3 city staff. The most recent meeting was held March 13.The BoathouseWork on The Boathouse is progressing, with an anticipated opening of Summer 2024. Walkinshaw Holdings Inc. is the group of local entrepreneurs who have come together to run it. They plan to continue its tradition as a restaurant and venue for live music, with a focus on emerging local talent and established artists, combined with touring acts to round it all out.City of KitchenerStaff working on The Victoria Park Masterplan have completed an inventory of Park assets including buildings, trails, and trees. Work is now focused on investigating the status of sewer, utility, and electric infrastructure. A community engagement process is planned for later this year. The Master Plan is updated every ten years and guides care and development of the Park. Roos Island RenewalConstruction on the Heritage Bridge to Roos Island at Water Street is due to be completed by late Spring. Work will then begin on the Bandstand and will include electrical upgrades, woodwork repairs, the addition of an accessibility ramp, and landscaping.Roos Island will reopen this summer and a celebratory concert is anticipated!

 

ComeUnity Roots Garden & Food Forest

ComeUnity Roots GardenSpring is in the air and the garden season is fast approaching!ComeUnity Roots has a different style of gardening that promotes working together, learning and giving back to the community. Are you interested in trying out ”communal gardening”? We still have space for new members. All levels of garden experience welcome!Food ForestAre you looking to do something with your free time this spring/summer?Do you like to get out in nature and watch things grow?We are looking for stewards to help take care of our food forestVolunteers who are willing to give 1 to 4 hours a month of their time to help water and look after our edible forest are welcome to participate and have the option to collaborate with us in the planning and design of it's future expansion

 

A food forest, also known as a forest garden or edible forest, uses a method of planting that actually resembles the way plants grow in natural forest ecosystems. It becomes a sustainable and low-maintenance agricultural system which provides a source of food for humans, birds & animals as well as insects and pollinators. Our food forest was planted in 2021, just off of the Iron Horse Trail, with the vision of providing food security to the community. **Many thanks to the VPNA and Nicola from Grand River Forestry for helping this dream to come to life**If interested please reach out to Rebekah at ComeUnity Roots Garden Committee comeunityrootsgarden@gmail.com

 

 

VPNA Development Committee Update

 

Growing Together

On March 18, Kitchener City Council approved a package of zoning changes known as Growing Together. The purpose of Growing Together is to plan for increased density around Major Transit Station Areas, starting with the area between Grand River Hospital and the Mill/Ottawa Streets.Over the past year, we have met with planners, submitted written comments, and presented to Council. Among other things, we commented on the need for: appropriate transitions between residential and highrise zoning, particularly along Joseph between Ontario and Victoria. We advocated for adequate parks and green spaces to meet the needs of our increasing downtown population. We also called for the deferral of decisions on commercial uses in residential areas and rezoning of sites outside the Growing Together area of focus.

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Inclusionary Zoning

Inclusionary zoning is a tool that allows municipalities to require a certain percentage of affordable housing units within new private developments. Staff proposed that the City consider Inclusionary Zoning in conjunction with Growing Together, as one measure to increase affordable housing as the city grows. Members of VPNA Development Committee and many others spoke in favour of increasing the rates of Inclusionary Zoning beyond what was proposed by staff, while developers spoke strongly against. We were pleased that Council voted in favour of Inclusionary Zoning, although for the more conservative rates. We will advocate for higher rates in the future.Enabling 4 UnitsOn March 25, Kitchener City Council approved Enabling 4 Units, another measure for increasing densification. This new Zoning By-law allows up to four dwelling units on residential lots in Kitchener where zoning permits single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse units. The Development Committee submitted a statement noting that, while we support urban densification to prevent the city from sprawling out over valuable farmland and essential natural spaces, increasing density on residential lots could lead to the loss of a significant number of healthy mature trees. We urged the City to consider measures to protect mature healthy trees on private properties that are less than 1 acre, and to require appropriate replacement trees for any that are removed.

 

Recruiting New Members

The Development Committee is eager to recruit new members! Join us as we learn about, discuss and comment on planning and development issues that affect the future of our neighbourhood and City. We meet on the third Monday evening of the month. Contact us at info@victoriaparkna.ca

 

A Message from Ward 9 Councillor, Debbie Chapman

Spring cleanups throughout many neighbourhoods have left the downtown wards gleaming. Thank you for all your work and stewardship. If you come across an area that needs further clean-up, please report it to the city contact number at 519-741-2345. It is available 24/7.As a member of the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area (DTK BIA) board, it was great to learn about the plans for more live music in downtown this year. One of the newest features is the activation of Gaukel Street between Charles and King. Drop by and have a look.

 

The outdoor patios are up and waiting for customers.The Downtown Art Walk has been renewed and the guidebook is available online. It is a great way to visit places downtown you may not have wandered through before.

 

Neighbours Day is on June 15 this year. It is a day that brings live music to porches, driveways and front yards across the city. I will be touring Ward 9 on my bike on that day and hope to see you out enjoying the music. Let me know if you will be hosting an event and I will be sure to add it to my list of stops.

 

The Garden Kitchener/Kitchener Horticultural Society bulb sale is May 25 at Rockway Gardens. If you have not renewed your membership yet, there is still time. The bulbs are purchased directly from Holland and many of the varieties sold are not available for purchase elsewhere in the Region.

 

Visit the website for details about upcoming workshops and events https://www.kitchenerhs.ca/Contact me with your ideas or concerns at debbie.chapman@kitchener.ca or call me at 226-752-7104. I am always happy for the opportunity to assist the residents of my ward.

 

Sincerely,

Councillor Debbie Chapman―Ward 9