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Hillside Park creek improvements

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The City of Waterloo will be improving several sections of Forwell Creek and Laurel Creek in Hillside Park. Work will be done on two sections of Laurel Creek near the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and one section of Forwell Creek just upstream of where it meets Laurel Creek.

This work to rehabilitate the creek shoreline will minimize the risk of erosion and bank failure, which could lead to flooding and damage to nearby infrastructure. It will also improve the water quality in the creeks, and promote a healthy, diverse habitat for fish.

These three sites were identified for rehabilitation in the Laurel Creek and Sanitary Trunk Sewer Class Environmental Assessment (“Class EA”) and Preliminary Design Report. These sites were referred to as Sites 10, 11, 13 and 14 in the Class EA report.

The city previously consulted with the public during the Class EA process of this project. The Class EA is a provincially regulated process for the evaluation and implementation of municipal infrastructure projects. The previously completed Class EA included three public information centre meetings, and received input from a public advisory task force that was established to represent the community’s interest in the study. The task force consisted of members of the local community, a representative from the citizen’s environmental advisory committee, a representative from the transportation and trails advisory committee and the local ward councillor. Details on this past engagement can be found in Section 7 of the Class EA report, beginning on page 82.

This page will be used to for updates and information regarding the project work. Subscribe to follow this project by providing your email address to receive updates as they become available.

Trail closure map August 12 to 26 2024 - click for PDF

Trail closure map August 26 to October 30 2024 - click for PDF



Future trail closures along Forwell Trail and Hillside Trail, with detour indicated along University Avenue


The City of Waterloo will be improving several sections of Forwell Creek and Laurel Creek in Hillside Park. Work will be done on two sections of Laurel Creek near the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and one section of Forwell Creek just upstream of where it meets Laurel Creek.

This work to rehabilitate the creek shoreline will minimize the risk of erosion and bank failure, which could lead to flooding and damage to nearby infrastructure. It will also improve the water quality in the creeks, and promote a healthy, diverse habitat for fish.

These three sites were identified for rehabilitation in the Laurel Creek and Sanitary Trunk Sewer Class Environmental Assessment (“Class EA”) and Preliminary Design Report. These sites were referred to as Sites 10, 11, 13 and 14 in the Class EA report.

The city previously consulted with the public during the Class EA process of this project. The Class EA is a provincially regulated process for the evaluation and implementation of municipal infrastructure projects. The previously completed Class EA included three public information centre meetings, and received input from a public advisory task force that was established to represent the community’s interest in the study. The task force consisted of members of the local community, a representative from the citizen’s environmental advisory committee, a representative from the transportation and trails advisory committee and the local ward councillor. Details on this past engagement can be found in Section 7 of the Class EA report, beginning on page 82.

This page will be used to for updates and information regarding the project work. Subscribe to follow this project by providing your email address to receive updates as they become available.

Trail closure map August 12 to 26 2024 - click for PDF

Trail closure map August 26 to October 30 2024 - click for PDF



Future trail closures along Forwell Trail and Hillside Trail, with detour indicated along University Avenue


  • October update - trail reopening

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    We are happy to report that the trail from University Ave East will be open to the public the morning of Saturday October 26th, 2024. The City's contractor has been working hard to be able to reopen the trail off of University Ave East as soon as possible for residents. The contractor may be working adjacent to the trail but will be using limited equipment that should not impact trail users. Please be mindful when using the trail as workers may be present.

  • Construction update - August 20

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    Due to higher-than-normal rainfall the weekend of August 17 and 18, the work in Hillside Park has been slightly delayed. The contractor did everything reasonable to protect the site from increased flows in the creek, and has been able to resume work now that creek flows have returned to normal. This delay means that the trail off of Lexington Road will be closed for a few additional days. The contractor is working to open the trail at the end of day Friday, August 30.

  • Summer 2024 project update

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    The City of Waterloo has scheduled work on Laurel Creek from August 2024 and October 2024. This work requires some of the trails adjacent to the creek to be closed temporarily to allow the contractor safe access to the work site for equipment, materials and deliveries. Please see the detour maps below for detailed closure areas and timelines.

    Hillside Park trail closure August 12 to 26, 2024 - click for PDF

    Hillside Park trail closure August 26 to October 30, 2024 - click for PDF



  • Winter 2024 project update

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    The City of Waterloo has secured a contractor to complete the project's construction. Necessary tree removals will be completed in March 2024 with construction taking place between July and September 2024.

    During construction, parts of the trail through the park will need to be closed to pedestrians and cyclists to allow the contractor safe access to the work sites for equipment, materials and deliveries. The work on Forwell Creek will need to have a portion of Hillside Trail closed between Lexington Road and Forwell Creek. The Laurel Creek work will close the part of Hillside Trail between University Avenue and the wastewater treatment plant.

    A detailed construction schedule will be posted shortly and will identify when the trail closures will be in place.

  • Summer 2023 project update

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    In securing bids for this project's construction, the bids all exceeded the allocated budget. As a result, the City has made the decision to cancel the current tender process. Our plan moving forward involves revisiting the 2024 budget to make necessary adjustments. Our goal is to initiate a new tender process in early 2024, with the intention of commencing construction from July/August to September 2024.

  • Notice of Project

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    The City of Waterloo would like to notify residents of upcoming construction in Hillside Park. Sections of Forwell and Laurel Creeks will be rehabilitated by a contractor procured by the City. The procurement process will start shortly with construction expected to begin in August or early September. During construction, parts of the trail through the park will need to be closed to pedestrians and cyclists to allow the contractor safe access to the work sites for equipment, materials and deliveries. The work on Forwell Creek will need to have a portion of Hillside Trail closed between Lexington Road and Forwell Creek. The Laurel Creek work will close the part of Hillside Trail between University Avenue and the wastewater treatment plant. Details on the trail closures will be provided as soon as they are available.

Page last updated: 25 Oct 2024, 11:59 AM