Category Archives: Sports and recreation

Staff will make the decision by 2 p.m. if sports fields are to be closed for the duration of the day and evening. Continue reading Sports field status

The City’s new Leash Free Policy changes how dog owners use sports fields as leash-free areas and paves the way for fenced dog parks. Continue reading City’s Leash Free Policy now in effect

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Guelph. A heat event will continue into Saturday. Continue reading Heat warning for Guelph

Holiday hours for the City of Guelph facilities and programs. Continue reading John Galt Day holiday hours for City facilities and services

Construction of the fenced leash free dog park at Peter Misersky Park starts July 15. Construction includes installation of fencing, pathways and signs. Continue reading Construction at Peter Misersky Park starts July 15

Every year, we replace playgrounds in our parks that are at the end of their life cycle. Playgrounds are replaced every 15-20 years. Continue reading Playground replacements coming to a park near you

Trail improvements are starting as a part of the next phase of the Crane Park Revitalization Project starting on July 15, 2019. Continue reading Trail improvements coming to Crane Park starting July 15

Free public swims sponsored by Tim Hortons Continue reading Tim Hortons free swims at City pools

We’re showing two family-friendly movies on Wilson Street in Market Square and two movies at York Road Park for a more adult crowd. Continue reading Cinema in the City starts July 5

Learn about fire safety and accident prevention. Meet emergency responders. Check out fire trucks, police cars and ambulances. Continue reading Hot Summer Nights – chill out with the Guelph Fire Department

This summer, we’re working to improve ecological health in our parks and natural areas by removing invasive plant species like buckthorn and dog strangling vine. Continue reading Invasive species removals coming to parks and natural areas in 2019

Trailhead at Clairfields Drive About the project We’re working on landscape improvements to a trail in the Hanlon Creek Conservation Area next to a new development. Improvements include widening the trail corridor and installing a fence between the trail and an adjacent business. Construction schedule Construction starts July 2 and will continue until late August, weather permitting. The trail will be closed during this time. Clairfields Drive and Hanlon Road trailheads will remain open. Please follow signs to detour around the work area. Map of trail closure For more information Dave Beaton, Program Manager Trails Natural Areas Stewardship Park Operations and Forestry, Parks and Recreation City of Guelph 519-822-1260 extension 2761 dave.beaton@guelph.ca

Construction at Starwood Park will start June 17, 2019 and completed by September 20, 2019, weather permitting. Continue reading Construction at Starwood Park starts June 17

The City of Guelph is updating its Parks and Recreation Master Plan to guide how it plans for the future development of recreational services and infrastructure in Guelph. Continue reading Your parks. Your recreation. Your voice.

Construction of Cedarvale Avenue Park starts June 10 and will be completed by fall, weather permitting. Please stay out of the fenced area for safety. Continue reading Construction of Cedarvale Avenue Park starts June 10

Local First Nations, Métis, Mixed Ancestry, Inuit and the City of Guelph are excited to share the completion of a Sacred Fire space located in Royal City Park. Continue reading Indigenous community partners with City to create Sacred Fire space in Royal City Park

Be heard on Bill 108. Submit your comments on the Bill’s regulations. On June 6, 2019, the Provincial Legislature passed Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice Act into law. Most of the concerns and proposed solutions expressed by municipalities and citizens were not reflected in the Act at the time of passing. We still have an opportunity to influence how this law is put into motion. The City will continue to work with ministries to design the rules, policies and related programs under Bill 108 as the regulations are being crafted. You can get involved by voicing your opinions on specific regulations during this consultation period. Background On May 2, 2019, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing released its More Homes, More Choice: Ontario’s… Continue reading Understanding Bill 108

Join in celebrating the benefits of recreation and parks in everyday life. Continue reading June is Recreation and Parks Month

Operating hours for Guelph’s outdoor swimming pool, splash pads and wading pools Continue reading Outdoor pools and splash pads

We’re building a new playground at Eastview Community Park this summer and we want to hear what you think of the concept. Continue reading We’re building a playground at Eastview Community Park

The City’s draft Leash Free Policy has been posted on the City’s website, outlining the framework for the future of off-leash dogs in Guelph parks. Continue reading Leash Free Policy lays the framework for fenced dog parks

Riverside Park rides: carousel and miniature train operating hours, tickets and passes. Continue reading Riverside Park amusement rides

A record number of parks, trails and green spaces were cleared of 3,300 kilograms during Clean and Green this past Saturday. Continue reading Clean and green collects a hippo’s worth of garbage

Please report and help us prevent the spread of invasive plants like giant hogweed and dog-strangling vine. Continue reading Report and remove invasive plants

The City of Guelph’s Limitless Guelph program is receiving a 2019 PRO Award of Excellence from Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO). Continue reading Limitless Guelph receives PRO Award of Excellence

Council has approved a new Parkland Dedication Bylaw that will be implemented January 31. Continue reading New Parkland Dedication Bylaw in effect January 31

Council will consider an updated Parkland Dedication Bylaw at the January 14 Committee of the Whole meeting. The Bylaw goes to Council January 28. Continue reading Council reviews Parkland Dedication Bylaw January 14

Guelph, Ont., September 12, 2018 – Families visiting Guelph’s Victoria Road Recreation Centre this weekend will notice some new play features outside of the facility. As part of the City’s Energize Guelph initiative, a year-round outdoor play space is being installed this week on the grassy area between the facility and parking lot. “The new outdoor space compliments the facility’s indoor programming and further encourages children and families to embrace play and recreation as part of their daily lives,” says Eric Pool, supervisor of Programs and Community Development. Play features include chalk and music walls, an arts and craft station with log tables and chairs, a log tunnel, a small stage with ramp, and benches. Shade and quiet spaces are available at the nearby courtyard.… Continue reading Outdoor play features arrive at Victoria Road Rec Centre

Guelph, Ont., September 7, 2018 – Put your loonies away. It’s now free to ride Guelph Transit to and from ticketed events at River Run Centre and Sleeman Centre. “Thanks to our friends at Royal LePage Royal City Brokerage, we’re now able to offer the Special Event Fare program at no cost to riders,” says Robin Gerus, interim general manager at Guelph Transit. To receive the free special event fare, show your event ticket to the transit operator at the time of boarding—to and from the event. The special event fare begins three hours prior to the event start time and continues until end of bus service on the event day. The extended service window provides you with the opportunity to connect with businesses and… Continue reading Ride bus for free to River Run, Sleeman Centre events

The City is working in Crane Park starting September 5, 2018 to improve the existing trail and remove invasive buckthorn. Continue reading Phase one trail improvements coming to Crane Park starting September 5

Fall and winter registration starts Wednesday, August 29 at 7:30 a.m. Registering online? Have your PIN and login ID/Client numbers ready. Call 519-837-5699 if you need one. Fall 2018 and winter 2019 programs Download the Guelph Community Guide or pick it up at City Hall or any City recreation facility or  library branch location. To view fall/winter leisure and recreation programs in an accessible format visit regexpress.guelph.ca. Registration begins Wednesday, August 29 at 7:30 a.m. Regular hours apply after August 29.

Hours and status. Continue reading Market Square wading pool status

June 28, 2018 The new Riverside Park playground is open! The updated play area offers a new playground featuring a tube slide, tower, swings and climbing obstacles. New asphalt pathways, seating areas and a combination of rubber and wood surfaces for kids to play on surround the new playground.        

Guelph, Ont.,  June 26, 2018 – Last night, City Council approved staff recommendations from the Boulevard Maintenance business service review final report keeping boulevard maintenance service levels at current standards, and implementing new processes for efficiencies. The report recommended no changes to the types or frequency of boulevard maintenance. Improvements will be made to gain efficiencies in maintaining City boulevards. The impacts of those recommendations include: Improved process and data consistency Enhanced processes to help staff forecast Increased collaboration of staff from different departments in the planning, development and inspection of boulevards Improved data collection and performance reporting Homeowners will continue to maintain the cul-de-sacs, front boulevards and side boulevards on their streets. What is a boulevard? Resources About the business service reviews Media contact… Continue reading Council approves Boulevard Maintenance business service review

Canada Day weekend fun in Margaret Greene and Exhibition parks Guelph, Ont., June 25, 2018 – Get ready kids, the City is expanding its popular Park Activation program by introducing two activation stations in Margaret Greene and Exhibition parks. “Park activation introduces new and unique ways for families to use park spaces, makes it easier for children to get active, and helps to improve a child’s physical and mental well-being. We’re excited to add the activation stations for a truly interactive park experience,” says Rachel Guerin, project specialist with Energize Guelph. The activation stations—modified shipping containers—arrive later this summer and when they do they’ll be open to the public, weather permitting, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.… Continue reading Activating Guelph’s parks

Guelph, Ont., June 19, 2018 – The community has selected the final design for the Ward to Downtown Bridge. Option one, featuring a bench, wide deck for river viewing, and a lookout area was voted as the favourite design option. “We’re very excited to see this project come to life,” says Luke Jefferson, manager of Open Space Planning with the City of Guelph. “Our community has waited a long time for a safe and vibrant bridge that connects one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods with the downtown.” Three designs were presented at a community open house on April 12, 2018 and 37 residents filled out a survey in person and online to select their favourite option. Option one was the most popular, with over 60… Continue reading Final design selected for the Ward to Downtown Bridge

June 14, 2018 Beginning on Monday, June 18, V.A. Woods Associates Limited, a contractor hired by the City of Guelph, will be working in South End Community Park and the adjacent parking lot. The City is conducting testing to determine the permeability of the soil on the property in preparation for the detail design of the South End Community Centre. The contractor will dig six test pits in predetermined locations over the course of six days (one pit per day). The pit being worked on will be backfilled at the end of the day. The work is expected to be done by June 25, weather permitting. All pits will be dug on public (City of Guelph) property. There are no road or park closures associated… Continue reading Notice: South End Community Park soil permeability testing

June 8, 2018 The City has posted an update on the detail design project of the South End Community Centre. The update includes an artist’s interpretation of what the inside and outside of the building may look like once built. Report

Have your say between until May 3 The next phase of the Parkland Dedication Bylaw review is underway. We invite you to read the draft Parkland Dedication Bylaw and provide comments. The Parkland Dedication Bylaw requires developers to either transfer land to the City to be used as parkland or offer payment in lieu of the land. This bylaw is the City’s way of making sure that as Guelph grows, our parks and open spaces grow with it. Your feedback will help staff develop the final draft bylaw that will go to Council in summer 2018. You can mail or email your comments to Jyoti Pathak, Park Planner with the City of Guelph. Read the draft bylaw For information on the Parkland Dedication Bylaw review,… Continue reading The draft Parkland Dedication Bylaw is now ready for review

Guelph, Ont., April 16, 2018 — The City of Guelph has received final soil testing results for Goldie Mill Park and is set to begin remediation work this summer. Site testing has confirmed earlier results; that chemicals in the soil are consistent with those typically found based on the site’s former manufacturing activities. Historically, the Goldie Mill property was used as a sawmill, foundry, cooperage, distillery, piggery and tannery. The west side of Joseph Wolfond Park was used for furniture manufacturing operations. Remediation work is part of the City’s plan to address soil conditions and sinkholes in the park, which is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and managed by the City. A plan will be put in place to protect workers and… Continue reading City plans for remediation work at Goldie Mill Park

During last fall’s engagement process for Mico Valeriote Park, located at 235 Elizabeth Street, we heard from the community on the concept design, park features, playground theme, and overall preferred park design. Playground theme For the playground, the community was asked to vote on a favourite theme. The Woodland themed-concept received the most votes. As a result, three playground concepts were designed around this theme. The concepts met the City’s expectations for quality, warranty, playability, creativity, and accessibility, and we believe the concepts also reflected the community’s outdoor recreational needs and aspirations. Playground design Between February 5 and 18, 2018, the community was asked to vote on a favourite playground concept. One hundred and seventy two (172) people responded online and through email to vote for… Continue reading Mico Valeriote Park Master Plan engagement summary

Guelph, Ont., March 26, 2018 – Earlier today, the City of Guelph was honoured with a 2018 Ontario Age-Friendly Community Recognition Award at the inaugural Age Friendly Community Symposium held in Toronto. The awards celebrate the work of Ontario communities that are striving to become age friendly. “Guelph is a great place to live and age well, and I’m proud our efforts to become an age-friendly community have been recognized with this notable provincial award. It’s an award our entire community can celebrate,” says Mayor Cam Guthrie. On hand to accept the award were Manon Germain, project specialist with Age-Friendly Guelph, and Adam Rutherford, programming and community development supervisor with the City. The recognition program, introduced last year by the Ministry of Seniors Affairs, includes… Continue reading City receives provincial award for its age-friendly initiatives

Guelph, Ont., January 25, 2018 – The City of Guelph has introduced  a single-application process for residents who are applying for a subsidy program like the Affordable Buss Pass, Fee Assistance in Recreation (FAIR) and animal licensing. “This new process makes it much easier for our residents when filling out the paperwork,” says Alex Goss, manager of Community Investment. “The one application saves time and reduces the need for our residents to share sensitive information over and over again.” Residents can apply for the City’s subsidy programs online at guelph.ca under the How can we help you? tab. Residents can also download the application, fill it out and return it to Service Guelph at City Hall, the West End Community Centre, Victoria Road Recreation Centre,… Continue reading City improves application process for subsidy programs

Guelph, Ont., December 11, 2017 – The City of Guelph is asking residents to help develop a master plan for Cedarvale Avenue Park, located at 32 Cedarvale Avenue in the city’s east end. The park master planning process is an opportunity for residents to share ideas and assist the City in creating a master plan that reflects the community’s outdoor recreational need and aspirations. Until January 1, 2018, residents can review two concept designs and vote on playground components for the neighbourhood park. From January 29 to February 11, residents can review and comment on the preferred park concept design. Design concepts can be viewed at guelph.ca/cedarvaleavenue and comments can be submitted online or by emailing Helen White at helen.white@guelph.ca. Feedback received will inform the park… Continue reading City seeks input on Cedarvale Avenue Park

Guelph, Ont., November 15, 2017 – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA) as the successful bidder for the South End Community Centre detailed design work. MJMA, a Toronto-based multidisciplinary design firm that specializes in projects that advance personal and civic wellness, was selected from 13 submissions received as part of the City’s Request for Proposal. “We’re excited to work with MJMA—a company that has a 30-year legacy of design excellence in aquatic, arena, sport and recreation projects,” says Heather Flaherty, general manager of Parks and Recreation, adding that MJMA has designed more than 25 facilities across Canada with similar amenities proposed for the South End Community Centre. Over the next few months, the project team, community stakeholders, and MJMA… Continue reading City hires architect for South End Community Centre detailed design

Guelph, Ont., October 2, 2017– The City of Guelph has received grants totalling $115,400 from the Ministry of Seniors Affairs. The grants will help offset day-to-day operating and maintenance costs at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre and West End Community Centre. In addition, two special grants, totalling $30,000, will cover items not funded by the maintenance and operating grants. At the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, the $15,000 special grant will pay for promotional signs for the Guelph-Wellington Seniors Association travel group, seating for the front lobby, chairs for the boardroom, fitness equipment for strength training and balance, brochure printing costs, training equipment, and First Aid certification training for volunteers. The $15,000 special grant for the West End Community Centre will pay for fitness equipment for… Continue reading City receives $115,400 from Ontario government

September 29, 2017 Beginning on Wednesday, October 4, archeology consultants and contractors hired by the City of Guelph will be working in South End Community Park. The City is conducting a Stage II Archeological Assessment in the park in preparation for the design of the South End Community Centre. Work is being carried out by ASI (Archaeological Service Inc.) and their subcontractors. Selective borehole drilling is expected to occur over a four–day period, weather permitting. All holes are being drilled on public (City of Guelph) property. There are no road or park closures associated with the work. For more information Tiffany Hanna Park Planner, Open Space Planning Parks and Recreation 519-822-1260 extension 3371 tiffany.hanna@guelph.ca

Open house October 5 at City Hall Guelph, Ont., September 22, 2017 – The City of Guelph is inviting members of the public to attend an open house on Thursday, October 5, in updating its parkland dedication strategy. “Parkland dedication is one of a number of tools that the City uses to secure additions to its park system through the development approval process; it’s also a tool that can be employed to manage or facilitate growth in Guelph,” says Jyoti Pathak, a park planner with the City. The first session is from 2-4 p.m., followed by an evening session from 6-8 p.m. Both sessions take place at City Hall and there is a formal presentation within the first half hour. City staff and The Planning… Continue reading City seeks input on parkland dedication strategy

Guelph, Ont., June 20, 2017 – The media and community are invited to join us on Saturday, June 24, as we host a grand reopening celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the newly renovated Victoria Road Recreation Centre, 151 Victoria Road North. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the celebrations, followed by family-friendly activities, community displays and self-guided facility tours. Residents are also invited to take in a free public swim in the Victor Davis Pool between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The aging and outdated recreation facility, built in 1974, was renovated between March 2016 and June 2017 to improve accessibility, security, customer service, and to offer new programming space for leisure and recreation programs. For more information on the project, visit… Continue reading Celebrate the grand reopening of Guelph’s Victoria Road Recreation Centre

Guelph, Ont., June 13, 2017 — The City of Guelph, with support from the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), is closing an additional section of GRCA-owned land in Goldie Mill Park near the historic ruins. The closure comes as part of ongoing work to address sinkholes on the site, and after environmental testing commissioned by the GRCA revealed chemicals in the soil may pose health risks. The City will conduct environmental tests on its land adjacent to the park in the coming weeks when the GRCA undertakes additional tests, in order for both organizations to better understand potential risks and if actions are needed to address them. In the meantime, the City is closing the site to ensure the health and safety of members of… Continue reading City extending fenced off area at Goldie Mill Park