FAQs

The Schneider Shoemaker Creek project is part of the urban water cycle. Stormwater from your neighbourhood flows into both Schneider and Shoemaker Creek. Rain and meltwater wash pollutants from roads into local waterways. Heavy rains drain into creeks at high volumes, causing soil erosion.

This work has become more urgent because of climate change. More frequent and more intense storms are expected in the future. Creek naturalization will help mitigate the severity of future flooding. We are making similar improvements in locations across Kitchener.

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.

In 2016, the City prepared an Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan identifying various sites where stormwater was unmanaged or existing features needed repair.

Through this process, we identified Schneider and Shoemaker Creeks as in need of repair. If you would like to learn more, please visit the City of Kitchener website. 

The development of recommended alternatives for each project was completed as part of the City’s Integrated Stormwater Master Plan. For more information, please visit the City of Kitchener website.

When naturalizing a creek, we aim to address issues of flooding, erosion, and water quality. A typical project design would include the use of natural materials such as rocks, logs, and native plants. Where there's room, we also use meandering creek designs, which help in slowing down the water flow. This helps reduce erosion and protects the local habitat. These changes improve creek health and protect it from future weather and flooding events. Here are some examples of completed creek restorations:

• Montgomery Creek in Wilson Park, completed in 2022
• Idlewood Creek at the Grand River, completed in 2019
• Henry Sturm Creek in Filsinger Park, completed in 2015 

We are still in the fact-finding stage when it comes to constructing Phase 1 of this project. We will not know the full cost of the creek construction until the design is complete, and a contractor is hired. At this point, many variables could still affect the cost. Once the budget is confirmed, we will post an estimated cost on the Engage page.

The City of Kitchener is one of the earliest recipients of the Federal Grant called Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). At the time of application (2018), the DMAF program was estimated to cover 40% of the costs. The rest will be paid for by The City's Sanitary and Stormwater division and Parks and Cemeteries division. 

We plant a wide variety of native species as we restore creeks. The design team prioritizes native species in the plant selection process. We choose plants that are suitable for creek ecosystems. Where possible, we also include native plants important to local Indigenous peoples.

Reducing the spread of invasive plant species is important to us. During construction, the project team looks for ways to safely remove invasive plant species.

Actions we take on our individual properties add up to make a big impact on our watershed. Anytime we can slow rain down and soak it up in our yards, there is less stormwater to manage in our pipes and creeks. Naturalized landscaping, trees, rain gardens and rain barrels help us reduce runoff and soak up rain on our own property.    Reep Green Solutions has partnered with the City of Kitchener to help you plan projects for your yard that will improve watershed health. Check out reepgreen.ca/rain-smart to see how we can help you reduce the flood risk in your neighbourhood. This includes a free landscape consultation in your own yard.

In 2023 and 2024, we did an environmental assessment. We wanted to understand the benefits and impacts of naturalizing parts of Schneider Creek and Shoemaker Creek. As part of this assessment, we found differences between the areas for Phase One and Two. Flood mitigation benefits in the Phase One area are much higher than in Phase Two. These results helped us prioritize the project. Removing concrete to naturalize a creek in an urban environment is costly. For this reason, Phase Two is being designed now so that it will be ready for future construction.

We will share public notices and host an information session before construction of the Phase Two area. This will ensure residents and businesses are well aware of upcoming changes.

There will be some trail closures during construction, limiting access. This is for the safety of the community and those who use the trail. We will work with our transportation department to post signage and detours.

At this point there are no plans to bring Shoemaker Creek above ground where it runs underneath the Schneider plant. This is known as 'daylighting' the creek.

Yes, the trails will be restored to brand new condition, as per our standard trail design and will remain at 3.6m wide asphalt. This trail will be winter maintained after being upgraded to asphalt.

Yes there will be lighting on the Iron Horse Trail. All amenities (lighting, benches, bike racks, wayfinding) on the Iron Horse Trail will be reinstalled for the new section.

We will work with arborists to identify trees for removal. Be assured that every effort will be made to retain as many trees as possible. Some healthy trees may be removed throughout the construction and will be replaced with new ones. The trees removed are trees that would not have survived the construction process because of root damage or location within the project. Some of the tree material that is cut down may be reused in the construction of the new stream banks.