Waterloo's new action sport parks

We're happy to share that the construction is complete at the John M. Harper Branch Library and Stork Family YMCA skatepark!

The 900 square metre skatepark can be found at the northeast side of the building between the library and access driveway. It includes a small bowl for beginners and a larger bowl for intermediate skaters.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during this project!

Mayor McCabe and Councillor Freeman officially opened the RIM Park Bike Park on Saturday, June 17. Following the opening remarks, the Mayor went for an 'opening ride' around the tracks. Local cycling groups, including McPhails Cycle and Sport, the KW Cycling Academy and the Waterloo Cycling Club were also in attendance, with riders testing the tracks on their bikes, scooters and skateboards.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Join us as we officially open the RIM Park Bike Park, the first pump track in the City of Waterloo!

Date: Saturday, June 17
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: RIM Park Bike Park (2100 University Ave E, Waterloo, ON N2K 4L3), enter through 100 Solstice Wy.
Parking: Parking lots by baseball diamonds, see RIM Park Amenities Map
Schedule:

• 11 to 11:30 a.m. - Opening remarks
• 11:30 to 1 p.m. - Family-friendly activities, complimentary bike checks from McPhails Cycle and Sport and more!

Bring your bikes, scooters, skateboards and helmets and join us in opening Waterloo’s latest action park! Please dress for the weather as this event will be outdoors.

The construction of the city's first dedicated pump tracks are complete and RIM Bike Park is now open for use!

There are two separate tracks, a small track for beginners and one for more advanced riders. Both tracks can be enjoyed on bikes, scooters and skateboards.

The tracks are designed to allow for a continuous loop of one-way flow over berms, rollers and banked turns. Riders gain speed and momentum riding the track features which enables them to maneuver without pedalling or pushing. Riding a pump track is intuitive with most users getting the hang of it after a few laps and the park is designed to develop skills and build confidence among the riders.

Stay tuned for an official grand opening of the park in Spring 2023.

Councillor Vieth and city staff officially opened the Albert McCormick Central Plaza on July 16, 2021. The plaza includes:

• A 5,000 square foot skatepark
• Splash court
• Bankshot TM basketball court
• Climbing structure
• Gathering and seating areas

Check out the photo gallery for pictures and video taken during the official opening.

In addition to these new recreational amenities, the city’s arts and culture team will hire a local artist to design and install two community benches in the space. These benches will resemble seating, like a couch or chesterfield, which one might find in a home, and the artist will base the design on feedback received from the community.

Parking

There is plenty of parking available for visitors to the library, the community centre and the arena. We built a new parking lot near the library entrance off Glenelm Crescent, so visitors can now park in that new lot, in the original parking lot behind the facility, and along Parkside Drive. Here is a rendering of the available parking in case it helps to visualize the space.