Montgomery Creek Restoration
This project is now complete and the creek is restored. For more information about stormwater initiatives, please visit kitchener.ca/stormwater
Our 2016 integrated stormwater master plan includes guidelines and policies that dictate how we are going to manage stormwater over the next 15 years. We developed this plan in close consultation with the community. The plan recommends redesigning Montgomery Creek to restore the natural flow of the creek and prevent and reduce erosion.
More recently, we engaged residents again to envision improvements to Wilson Park. Our final design includes a bridge (Vanier Drive), a pedestrian bridge, and naturalizing areas of Montgomery Creek. In response to your feedback, this project now also includes natural community spaces along the creek. We will reforest the banks of the creek and create walking trails, lookout areas and picnic areas. This will give pedestrians access to the creek and create a social gathering space at the water.
For more information about how you may be affected by this project, please review the FAQ section. To get email updates, subscribe by using the Subscribe button.
If you are interested in learning about the seating area and other neighbourhood park improvements, please visit: Connecting the Wilson, Vanier and Traynor Park Network.
The Montgomery Creek restoration project is funded in part by the Government of Canada. For more information about this partnership between the City of Kitchener and the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, visit kitchener.ca/Stormwater.
Be Rain Smart!
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.
This project is now complete and the creek is restored. For more information about stormwater initiatives, please visit kitchener.ca/stormwater
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Montgomery Creek Restoration Project now complete
Share Montgomery Creek Restoration Project now complete on Facebook Share Montgomery Creek Restoration Project now complete on Twitter Share Montgomery Creek Restoration Project now complete on Linkedin Email Montgomery Creek Restoration Project now complete linkIt was great to see everyone who came out to the June 7 community planting and open house. Together we planted strawberries and celebrated the restoration of Montgomery Creek. We’ve shared some photos at the bottom of this post.
Thanks also to everyone who took part in this project by sharing their feedback and insights. Your contributions meant led us to include even more natural spaces, reforestation, and biodiversity, as well as more spaces for socializing in this restoration. We may be able to add signage to the creek area at some point, which we will consider for a future project.
This project is now complete. For more information about stormwater initiatives, please visit kitchener.ca/stormwater
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How we used the Willow trees in the new Wilson Park seating area
Share How we used the Willow trees in the new Wilson Park seating area on Facebook Share How we used the Willow trees in the new Wilson Park seating area on Twitter Share How we used the Willow trees in the new Wilson Park seating area on Linkedin Email How we used the Willow trees in the new Wilson Park seating area linkHow we used your ideas to incorporate the willow logs into the new Wilson Park seating area
In the Spring of 2022, we had to remove some large and very well-loved willow trees from Wilson Park. We removed many other mature trees. These trees were all in the path of the Montgomery Creek restoration project and would not have survived construction. We heard from many people who were saddened by the loss of so many beautiful trees.
Summer 2022 Willow Log Survey results
Last summer, we asked you to answer a short survey with thoughts on including parts of a willow log in the new Wilson Park seating area. Thanks to everyone who participated! Out of the 12 responses, most people asked for log stools or log steppers, three asked for a nurse log, and two asked for a log bench. One person suggested we create all three and include a sign telling the story.
Where to find the Willow logs and other trees that were removed
In the new Wilson Park seating area you can find two sets of log stools or steppers made from the willow log. You will also find a willow nurse log with strawberry plants in front of it.
Looking carefully, you can also see other trees incorporated into the creek restoration. There is a tall tree trunk embedded in the creek. This standing trunk will be a habitat for raptors like hawks and osprey. You can also see many tree roots and logs built into the creek. These stabilize the banks and provide habitat.
We delivered another large willow log to the Sunshine Montessori schoolyard on Boniface Avenue after students and teachers from the school contacted us to share their sadness about the loss of their friend, the Great Willow.
We plan to add signs to this project in the future. We'll hold onto the idea of telling the story of these trees in future signage.
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June 7, 2023 Community Planting and Creek Open House
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Join Reep Green Solutions and the City of Kitchener to welcome back people and wildlife to Wilson Park!
Montgomery Creek Community Planting & Open House
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Meet at the Wilson Ave entrance to Wilson Park
- Tour the creek and discover how the restoration was designed and built
- Plant pollinator seedlings along the path
- Enjoy light refreshments and kids' activities
Everyone is welcome to this free event! Register at reepgreen.ca/events.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact rain@reepgreen.ca.
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May 5, 2022 Presentation and Creek Walk Summary
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On May 5, 2022, we hosted a Creek Walk and Info Night for the Montgomery Creek Restoration project. Thanks to everyone who joined the walk and the presentation afterward. And thanks for your great questions!
We've added the questions asked to the Montgomery Creek Restoration FAQ page.
You can also visit the document library to access the Info Night slide show presentation.
Info Night Highlights
- Stantec showed how wide the new floodplain will be. The widest edge will go just beyond the furthest edge of the path that runs alongside the current creek channel. They described the riffles and pools that the new construction will create. They also pointed out an improvement to prevent erosion where stormwater enters the creek.
- Construction company R&M specializes in creek restorations. While fish are spawning during May and June, R&M will complete work outside the creek. They will rescue all the creek fish in early July and then start with in-creek construction.
- Reep Green Solutions can help you soak up rainwater to protect Montgomery Creek through the Rain Smart Neighbourhoods program.
Neighbourhood Planting Day in September 2022
- We invite you to join Reep in planting native plants, shrubs or trees along Montgomery Creek in September 2022. Watch the Montgomery Creek Restoration Engage page for details.
Bringing Back Nature
- We will plant 700 native trees and 4000 native shrubs along this creek segment at the end of construction.
- Reep Green Solutions shared these native plant species and wildlife posters to show some of the species who will call the restored Montgomery Creek home
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Montgomery Creek Restoration Information Night
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Join us for a Creek Restoration Information Night
Thursday, May 5, 2022
6:30–7:20 Creek walk in Wilson Park
7:30–8:30 Presentation at Kingsdale Community Centre, 72 Wilson Ave, Kitchener
Meet at Wilson Park on the trail near Wilson Drive
Join the guided walk along Montgomery Creek in Wilson Park. Learn about:- How the City of Kitchener and our design and construction partners will create a natural creek channel
- Why the new creek construction will reduce erosion and improve the health of the surrounding watershed
- What native plants and habitat features will stabilize the creek and improve biodiversity
- What the construction process involves, and why we had to cut down so many well-loved trees to make room for the restored creek.
- How to take action in your yard to reduce runoff entering the creek. You can make changes that increase biodiversity to support wildlife in your neighbourhood!
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Notice of Tree Clearing/Removing Activities
Share Notice of Tree Clearing/Removing Activities on Facebook Share Notice of Tree Clearing/Removing Activities on Twitter Share Notice of Tree Clearing/Removing Activities on Linkedin Email Notice of Tree Clearing/Removing Activities linkThe City of Kitchener is committed to improving the health of Kitchener creeks and making creeks more resilient to storms and flooding. To achieve this, we are moving forward with restoration work at Montgomery Creek. The construction work will start in late March 2022. The purpose of the work is to stabilize the creek and improve the aquatic and terrestrial habitat. A new seating area close to the watercourse will be part of the creek work. These changes will improve water quality, create habitat for fish, birds and animals, and will provide a space for quiet enjoyment of the creek. Restoring Montgomery Creek will also improve the Grand River's water quality downstream.
Tree clearing along parts of the creek is needed to prepare for the creek restoration. Removal of trees will happen only in the green space along Montgomery Creek. The white rectangle in the image below shows the tree clearing area beside the creek, which runs parallel to Shelley Drive. Many trees will need to be removed, though we will keep as many mature trees as possible. We will remove these trees before bird and bat breeding season to avoid any negative effects on wildlife. When the creek restoration is complete, we will follow a plan to restore the natural setting around the creek.
Starting late March 2022, we will close a section of trail along Montgomery Creek because of construction vehicle access. Other trail routes may close throughout the construction period. We will post signage as this work begins. Once trees are cleared, construction activities will pause. Construction will begin again when creek restoration work starts on or about the middle of May 2022. Before this time, we will invite residents to take part in a public information session with the design team and City staff. The information session will be held a few weeks before construction starts.
The Montgomery Creek restoration work aligns with the recommended solutions that City staff presented in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Schedule B EA) for Montgomery Creek in the Integrated Stormwater Master Plan (ISWM-MP) 2016.
We understand that these changes and temporary loss of trail access may not be easy. By working together, these improvements in creek health and to the park space will have a long-term positive effect on the neighbourhood.
For more information
To get email updates on this project, please subscribe to this page using the 'Subscribe' button.
To learn about the seating area and other neighbourhood park improvements, please visit: Connecting the Wilson, Vanier and Traynor Park Network
If you have questions about this project, please use the 'Ask a Question' tab or reach out to these key contacts:
Mohammad H. Rahman, M.A.Sc., PMP, P.Eng.
Project Manager, Design & Construction
Stormwater & Sanitary Utilities
City of Kitchener
131 Goodrich Dr. Kitchener, ON, N2C 1J3
519-741-2600 x4780
TTY: 1 866 969-9994
Mohammad.Rahman@kitchener.ca
Samantha Brickman, C.E.T
Supervisor, Capital Programs
Stormwater & Sanitary Utilities
City of Kitchener
131 Goodrich Dr. Kitchener, ON, N2C 1J3
519-741-2200 x7818
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Samantha.Brickman@kitchener.ca
Heather Amirault, P.Eng.
Consultant Project Manager
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
100-300 Hagey Blvd, Waterloo, ON, N2L 0A
519-585-7453
Heather.Amirault@stantec.com
Who's Listening
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Supervisor, Capital Programs (Sanitary and Stormwater)
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Phone 519-741-2600 x4047 Email sarah.anderson@kitchener.ca