Category Archives: Parks and trails

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

Construction of the fenced leash free dog park at Bristol Street Park starts September 3 and will be complete by end of October 2019. Continue reading Construction at Bristol Street Park starts September 3

We’re starting construction on the new Eastview Community Park playground on August 12. Construction will be complete by October 2019. Continue reading Eastview Community Park playground construction starts August 12

At the parking lot entrance About the project Guelph Junction Railway is upgrading the railway crossing located at the entrance to the parking lot of the Guelph Youth Music Centre, and the pedestrian crossing at Norwich Street East. Work begins August 13 Work is expected to start on or about August 13, and take about three days to complete, weather permitting. South entrance to the Guelph Youth Music Centre closed The south entrance to the Guelph Youth Music Centre will be closed. Please use the north entrance to access the centre.   Downtown Trail closed at Norwich Street East The Downtown Trail will be closed at Norwich Street East. Please follow posted signs for safety. Trail users heading south should plan to leave the trail… Continue reading Construction notice: Guelph Youth Music Centre railway crossing and Norwich pedestrian crossing closed starting August 13

Marcon Street at Cardigan Street and the Downtown Trail About the project Guelph Junction Railway is upgrading the railway crossing located at Marcon Street and the Downtown Trail. Work begins August 12 Work is expected to start on or about August 12, and take about two days to complete, weather permitting. Access to Cardigan Street from Marcon Street and the Downtown Trail will be closed   There will be no access to Cardigan Street from Marcon Street or the Downtown Trail. The Downtown Trail will be closed at Tiffany Street East and Cardigan Street. Please follow posted signs for safety. During construction, the nearest access to Cardigan Street will be from London Road East. Driveway access and road parking will be maintained Every effort will… Continue reading Construction notice: Marcon Street railway crossing closed starting August 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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., 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

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., August 19, 2016 – For a second year in a row, the City of Guelph has been honoured with a first place award in the Ontario Parks Association’s Municipal Floral Display Competition. The City’s Parks Operations and Forestry division took home the top award in the best median and boulevard planting category for its “four corners yellow bed” garden, located at the corner of Macdonell and Wyndham streets. The winners in five categories were announced yesterday, August 18, at the Landscape Ontario and University of Guelph Trial Gardens open house in Milton. “I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts, competitive spirit, and Guelph pride that our horticulture team brings to its work every day to make Guelph a beautiful place to live, work… Continue reading City takes first place in municipal floral display competition

Guelph, Ont., May 27, 2016 – The City of Guelph and Kindle Communities Inc., are hosting two open houses to hear from residents about a potential community hub within Brant Avenue Park. The open house sessions, taking place Saturday, May 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday, May 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Brant Avenue Public School, 64 Brant Avenue, are an opportunity for residents to learn more, ask questions, and provide input about a potential community hub and park changes. Alex Goss, the City’s manager of Community Investment, explains that community hubs—typically located in neighbourhood settings—provide a central access point for a range of needed health and social services, along with cultural, recreational, and green spaces to nourish community life. “The… Continue reading City, Kindle hosting open houses to discuss potential community hub

In May 2016, the City of Guelph purchased two acres of land from the Upper Grand District School Board, located between Brant Avenue Public School and Brant Avenue Park. The City, in partnership with a number of community partners, supports the development of a community hub (building and parking lot) within the park and the green space acquired from the school board will become park space. Preliminary estimates indicate a potential Brant Community Hub could be up to 10,000 to 11,000 square feet in size with 30,000 square feet required for parking. Have your say The City of Guelph and Kindle Communities Inc., hosted two open houses on May 28 and 31 to hear from residents about a potential community hub within Brant Avenue Park. Feedback received will be considered… Continue reading Potential Brant Community Hub

Guelph’s Market Square and pollinator park are listed among 15 “Thriving Places” in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Continue reading Guelph is creating spaces for people as we grow

City and Earthscape honoured at 2016 PRO Awards Guelph, Ont., April 14, 2016 – The City of Guelph and Earthscape were honoured last Thursday evening at the annual Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) Educational Forum. The City and Earthscape took home an Awards of Excellence in the Excellence in Design Award category for the new natural playground space in Exhibition Park. “We are honoured to share this PRO Award with Earthscape, which recognizes their professional and unique approach of designing public spaces, their culture of putting kids first and dedication to adapting to client and site specific needs,” says Rory Templeton, landscape planner with the City and manager of the Exhibition Park play equipment project. Each year, through its awards program, PRO recognizes and honours… Continue reading Guelph’s Exhibition Park wins design award

A look at some of the budget details On December 10, 2015, City Council approved a $216 million operating budget and a $61 million capital budget for 2016. This represents a 2.99 per cent tax increase over 2015. In approving the budget, Council approved $3.6 million in reductions to the base budget which included adjustments to purchased goods and services, revenue including a 15 per cent increase to vendor fees at the Guelph Farmers’ Market, and service level changes for Guelph Transit (described below). Within the capital budget, Council approved 124 projects including but not limited to Transit fare box replacement, vehicle and equipment lifecycle replacements, bridge replacements/upgrades (including Niska Bridge), South End Community Park continued implementation, and downtown parkade construction. The following identifies the… Continue reading 2016 budget highlights