Kitchener’s Victoria Park could see extensive upgrades over the next decade, according to a master plan presented to city council. City council unanimously approved the plan on Monday. “It’s a plan to determine what changes need to be made in the park,” said city councillor Debbie Chapman. “Staff has been working on it for the past three years.” The park was built in 1894 and is one of the largest and most central spaces in Kitchener. In 2025 alone, 4.6 million people visited the park. Some of the work slated for the park will focus on the southern end, targeting trails, park furnishings and amenities such as the playground and splash pad. “Replacing of the surface underneath the playground here and behind us. Also, they’ve already taken down the picnic shelter, and that will be replaced in the spring,” said Chapman. Data collection and community engagement efforts began in 2023, resulting in 32 recommendations brought to council. Six have been prioritized as short-term projects to take place between 2026 and 2028. Short-term projects include: The short-term projects will be funded by the city’s $2.3-million Victoria Park capital budget. Some park users are looking forward to the upgrades. “I definitely think the splash pad needs an upgrade, like it’s outdated. In comparison to all the other splash pads, it’s not much to look at, it’s pretty basic. Some of the things don’t even work anymore so it would be cool to have it upgraded,” said Cailey Way, a park user. The other 26 recommendations are considered long-term priorities starting in 2029. They are not currently funded and will require approval and financing from future councils. Some of the long-term topics focus on active transportation, drinking-water accessibility, naturalization of the park, parking, public washrooms and waste management. The city said they received community feedback requesting gender-inclusive facilities and family-oriented stalls in the washrooms. “Through a comprehensive engagement process, we gathered feedback from over 3,000 residents, enhanced by additional data that showcased how the park is used year-round,” said the City of Kitchener, in a statement to CTV News. A full list of the recommendations can be found online.
