New Forwell Trail coming!

The City of Waterloo is building one of the last sections of the Waterloop Trail system - the Forwell Trail. The Forwell Trail will run adjacent to Forwell Creek through the former Waterloo Inn site, now called the Inn of Waterloo.

Please review the available maps in the document library to see how this trail linkage relates to other aspects of Waterloo's trail system.

Project update

• April 9, 2019: Grand River Conversation Authority (GRCA) endorsed the proposed trail through the former Waterloo Inn site
• May 27, 2020: The developer (Drewlo Holdings) endorsed the trail project, and agreed to expand the easements on the site for the benefit of the trail
• June 30, 2020: GRCA reviewed MTE Consultant's updated technical memo and endorsed a slightly narrower hydraulic floodway for the benefit of the municipal trail through the site;
  • Represents a 2 – 3 meter buffer between edge of pathway and new development plus a 3 meter buffer north of the trail before the hydraulic floodway starts

Dillon Consultants will now proceed with updating the reference plan to expand the easements on the site, and start the detailed design phase of the project. We plan to be in a position to tender in January/February 2021. If that changes we will update the community at that time.

Background

This project is being coordinated with the Region of Waterloo Weber Street reconstruction project, and the schedule is subject to change based on that work.

The Region of Waterloo is involved in this project. They are rebuilding Weber Street in three different sections, between King Street and Northfield Drive. Part of this construction project will include a piece of the trail. This piece, along with the section that we are building, will close the connection in this high priority active transportation network.

We are working closely with Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), the current land owner (Drewlo Holdings) and the city's consultant (Dillon Consulting) to explore design concepts for the trail, to improve the hydrology (movement of water) through Forwell Creek and to understand future development limitations on the site.

As we work through this project together with these different agencies, the timing of our trail construction schedule may be affected. Dates and timing for this project are therefore subject to change based on various factors. We will continue to update the community as this project develops.

Plans for the trail

Our vision for the trail includes the following elements:

• heavy duty asphalt
• lighting
• public art
• benches/seating options
• trees and other landscaping elements

Please share your thoughts

In keeping with the Region of Waterloo Public Health directive for physical distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, in-person public engagement is currently on hold. We invite you to follow this project to receive updates as things progress and we encourage you to leave comments in our forum (below) for discussion and our project team will join the conversation.