City of Kitchener celebrates grand reopening of Meadowlane Park and new stormwater management pond

Kitchener, ON - The City of Kitchener celebrated the completion and grand reopening of the Meadowlane Park and a new stormwater management pond on Saturday, marking a significant investment in climate resilience, environmental stewardship and community infrastructure.  

Meadowlane Park has been transformed through a project designed to reduce flood risk, enhance water quality and strengthen climate resilience within the Sandrock Creek watershed and downstream neighbourhoods. 

The project was identified through the City of Kitchener’s 2016 Integrated Stormwater Master Plan as an opportunity to improve stormwater management while enhancing green space. The new pond will help manage stormwater runoff before it enters local waterways, reducing impacts on the environment and supporting the community’s long-term resilience to more frequent and intense storms. 

The project was supported through funding from all orders of government, including $2.143 million from the Government of Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, $3 million from the Province of Ontario through the Building Faster Fund, and $178,500 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies program, alongside contributions from the City of Kitchener. 

“This project demonstrates the power of partnership. Meadowlane Park is a great example of what can be accomplished when all orders of government work together to invest in communities,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “On behalf of the City of Kitchener, I want to thank the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their support in bringing this important project to life. Together, we’re creating greener, more resilient public spaces that will benefit residents today and for generations to come.”  

“Meadowlane Park has always been an important gathering place for residents in the Forest Heights neighbourhood, and I’m proud to see it transformed in a way that preserves its community character while delivering significant environmental benefits,” said Bil Ioannidis, Ward 7 Councillor. “This project reflects the feedback we heard from residents and demonstrates how community priorities and environmental stewardship can come together to create a stronger, more resilient neighbourhood.” 

The project reflects extensive community engagement. Several residents volunteered significant time as members of the Meadowlane Park Community Resource Group, playing an active role in shaping both the engagement process and park design. Their contributions, alongside feedback gathered through six community engagement events, helped inform the final design and preserve valued community features while meeting the project's environmental and infrastructure objectives. 

In addition to improving stormwater management, the project includes environmental enhancements that support a healthier and more resilient urban ecosystem, including new trees and naturalized areas supported through funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies program, as well as upgraded trails, new pond-side pathways and seating areas for residents to enjoy. 

Quotes: 

“By investing in stormwater management infrastructure, like Kitchener’s new stormwater management pond, the Government of Canada is taking action to better protect Canadians from the impacts of severe weather events and storms. The stormwater management pond will reduce the risk of flooding in streets and neighbourhoods near Meadowlane Park.” 

– Tim Louis, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy and Member of Parliament for Kitchener—Conestoga 

“Our government is proud to support partners like the City of Kitchener with the tools they need to make infrastructure investments that keep them strong, resilient, and ready for the future. Through the Building Faster Fund, we’re pleased to see municipalities deliver projects like Meadowlane Park that protect neighbourhoods from extreme weather, strengthen local infrastructure, and create vibrant public spaces for families to enjoy for years to come.” 

– Rob Flack, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 

“FCM is proud to support the City of Kitchener’s transformative tree-planting project. Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.” 

– Tim Tierney, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities 

About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund   

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization providing funding and education to municipalities to help them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada. 

The Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291M initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada. 

- 30 -  

Media contact: 
Nasreen 
Strategic Communications Officer 
Office of the Mayor and Council | City of Kitchener 
226-753-6082 
nasreenn@kitchener.ca