FAQs

One of the options includes ripping up the concrete and replacing it with a meandering creek bed. This creek bed would be naturalized, with stones and sand replacing the concrete.

Concrete channels drain water to the Grand River as fast as possible. This creates flooding and erosion downstream. Concrete channels also create barriers for fish.  Naturalizing these channels provides many benefits. Aquatic habitat, aesthetics, and water quality can all be improved.

The project team will look for ways to remove invasive species from the site. A team of environmental engineers and biologists will be involved with the designs. This team will suggest appropriate native species for planting.

We hear how important it is to retain existing trees. Design options for the creek will be developed this summer. In the fall, the design options will be presented for public feedback. The Environmental Assessment will include the preferred design option. The chosen design option will determine which trees will be retained, and outline locations for new trees to be planted.

The Integrated Stormwater Master Plan (2016) looked at stormwater across the city. This plan identified Schneider Creek as a good place to naturalize. Naturalizing the creek improves safety and reduces the risk of flooding. This project is happening now because of recent funding from the federal government. This funding has enabled the City to bring this project forward through the Environmental Assessment process.

This project is part of a series of stormwater management projects that the City of Kitchener is working on.  It is partially funded by the federal government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). 40% of funding for this project will come from the federal government.

We want input from nearby property owners. Local residents will continue to receive information about the project. We will also consult with residents outside of the neighbourhood. Many people use the Iron Horse Trail to commute to work and for recreation, and we want their input as well.

The City is part of a litter reduction task force with several other municipalities. You can report park litter to the City through this litter report form. You can read more about the City of Kitchener's litter bylaw here: 

A broad timeline of the project can be found on the Engage Kitchener website. The next step is to develop alternative design concepts. These concepts will be shared at a second public open house for feedback.

• The project website on Engage will be updated 
• An email will be sent out to the Engage project mailing list
• Letters will be mailed to residents
• Posters will be put up around the creek

The Environmental assessment (EA) will continue to the end of 2023. The EA will review the condition of the creek and look at the potential impacts of the project. Through this process we will choose a preferred solution for creek naturalization.

Thank you for all your suggestions for added recreational area. We will consider these in the designs where feasible and where funding permits.

Upstream and downstream areas and culvert removal are outside the scope of the project. There are strategies available to make culverts more easily navigable by fish. We will investigate this potential.

Once a preferred solution is chosen through the EA process we'll move into a design phase. We will seek the public's feedback on ways to mitigate the impact of construction at that time.