Tell the City of Kitchener you support a multi-use path – but not at the cost of the heritage trees and community space that we all treasure.
The City of Kitchener is planning to install a multi-use path through Rockway Gardens, over the grassed area alongside Floral Crescent, with bump-outs that would remove the ability to park on the road. This is part of the City’s Rockway Fairway Transportation Connections project. While GardenKitchener supports safe, accessible cycling and walking routes, the City’s current preferred route for the pathway would cause serious harm to Rockway’s historic landscapes and stonework and create safety hazards in spaces that are popular for photos and events.
Help us advocate for a better route – one that provides safe cycling connections in and around Rockway – without compromising the heritage, environment, and safety of our community’s beloved gardens.
On August 29th, members of GardenKitchener met with City of Kitchener representatives to learn about three possible route options for the multi-use path. “Option A” was identified as the city’s preferred route – this is the “multi-use path on Floral Crescent between Preston Street and Doon Road” that is identified on the project’s Engage page.
Option A:
A 2.4 – 3 metre multi-use path would be built along the south side of Floral Crescent, beside the historic rockery.
This would require the removal of green space including dedicated trees planted in memory of community members, and disrupt the root system of a century-old oak tree. It would also require the removal of portions of the garden’s original stonework.
Why GardenKitchener opposes Option A
This route puts both the heritage of the gardens and the safety of visitors, staff, and volunteers at risk. Key concerns include:
Safety risks: This route would decrease the boulevard space between Floral Crescent and the Rockery – Rockway’s well known heritage rock garden. This boulevard area is frequently used by Rockway Gardens staff and volunteers for essential garden maintenance. It’s also a space that’s popular for weddings, prom and wedding photos, and leisurly strolls, as the Rockery is a unique and beautiful backdrop. The proposed multi-use path would significantly shorten the boulevard space. Having fast-moving bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters in a space where people are often moving slowly or distracted by other tasks would create unsafe conditions for visitors, staff, volunteers, and users of the multi-use path. It’s easy to imagine a distracted photographer backing into a fast-moving e-bike in this space.
Destruction of heritage trees: A 100-year-old oak tree and memorial trees – beloved tributes to members of the community funded by donations of loved ones – would likely need to be removed.
Damage to the new community orchard: Recently planted fruit trees – our latest food security project providing fresh fruit to local charities – would likely need to be removed.
Loss of historic features: The last portion of Rockway Gardens’ original rock wall could be destroyed. These elements of Rockway are what make it so unique in our community.
Reduced Parking: As a result of the proposed bump-outs, visitors, including those with mobility challenges, would lose access to on-road parking space, impacting their ability to enjoy the grounds and attend events such as summer concerts, weddings, and plant sales.
Irrigation issues & snow damage: This option would disrupt the critical space required to properly operate the irrigation system for the rock gardens. Winter maintenance of the pathway including snow mounds caused by plowing and the application of salt and other snow melt substances would harm nearby plantings.
Option B:
In this option, the 3-metre multi-use path would continue on Floral Crescent to Rockway Drive and transition to an on-road bikeway with sharrows and a 1.8-metre sidewalk, connecting with the existing sharrows and sidewalk south of Doon Road. This option would have minimal impact to vehicles and parking, however it was felt that because of the volume of traffic and parking demand on Floral, this option would not be comfortable or safe for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
Option C:
This third option sees the Delta Street multi-use path continue along Preston Street and then onto Charles Street, which would be converted from roadway to multi-use path. The sidewalk along King Street would be removed and replaced with a multi-use trail, turning onto Dixon Street in advance of the intersection. While this option would completely separate cyclists from both traffic, it would be a less direct route. It would also impact traffic on Preston and King, and require the moving of a bus stop.
Update: A revised version of Option C will be made available for review at the upcoming public consultation events!
GardenKitchener’s Suggestion (A Variation of Option C)
GardenKitchener recognizes that having vehicles in and around the Rockway Gardens green space creates safety hazards of all kinds – not only from collisions, but also from environmental impacts. The noise, air pollution, and toxic chemicals from road and maintenance that they bring through the green space prevent wildlife from moving through their habitats safely, harm our delicate ecosystems, and reduce our air quality. However, we also know that motorized vehicles are essential for some members of our community to move around, and that removing motorized traffic on Floral Crescent entirely isn’t an option that the City is willing to explore at this time.
At the meeting on August 29th, the GardenKitchener team offered a number of alternative suggestions to City staff, including the idea of turning Floral Crescent into a one-way street for vehicle traffic, so there would be space for a separated bike lane without having to disrupt the green space. Many suggestions were turned down by the City of Kitchener team for various reasons. Eventually, GardenKitchener recommended a variation of Option C that places the multi-use trail along the grass area beside Charles Street. While we recognize that this route is slightly less direct than the route along Floral, we believe that it would avoid historic features, century trees, dedicated trees, and gardens. It would also provide cyclists with a safe, separated trail connection away from areas popular with slow-moving pedestrians, garden visitors, photographers, staff and volunteers. The City has agreed to explore this route, but still prefers Option A.
This image shows two of the route options. The red line indicates the location of the City’s preferred ‘Option A’. The blue shows the alternate route suggested by GardenKitchener. It was stated that “the most direct route” for cyclists is preferred, which is why Option A was preferred between the three original route plans. The alternate option suggested by GardenKitchener is not a straight line, but its added distance is only around 100m. This alternative route also has a less-steep grade (left to right).
What You Can Do
The City is holding public consultations in September 2025, where City of Kitchener staff will be available to discuss the different options and answer questions. Your voice matters – councillors need to hear that Option A is not acceptable.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Email Council. We’ve drafted one for you! Copy and paste this text and click here to send it to all members of City Council. Feel free to share additional thoughts about why Rockway Gardens is an important part of your community.
2. Attend the public consultations on September 23rd, 25th and 29th. Show your support, ask questions, learn about the other options available and share your opinions and concerns directly with City staff:
Kingsdale Community Centre (72 Wilson Avenue): Tuesday Sept. 23, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m.
Rockway Centre (1405 King Street East): Thursday Sept. 25, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m.
Virtual Meeting (Register in advance, here): Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m.
3. Attend one of the City of Kitchener’s “Walkshop” and “Open House” events to learn about the city’s Cultural Heritage Landscapes (Rockway Gardens is one of these!) Give your feedback about how these special community spaces should be protected in the future.
Open House at Rockway Golf Course: Monday, September 15, 5 to 8 p.m.
625 Rockway Drive, Kitchener
Rockway Neighbourhood CHL Walkshop: Wednesday, September 24, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
(Meet at the entrance of the Rockway Way Golf Course parking lot, 625 Rockway Drive, Kitchener)
4. Spread the word. Share this page with neighbours, friends, and family!
GardenKitchener supports safe cycling and pedestrian infrastructure – just not at the cost of Rockway Gardens’ heritage, safety, and community use. Stand with us and ask Council to reject Option A and support our suggested alternate route as the best solution.
5. Register to show your support and stay up to date as this issue evolves. Complete this form to show your support: