Idlewood Greenway Stormwater Improvements

Kitchener is adding an underground stormwater storage facility to Idlewood Greenway.
It's part of of a large project to build climate change resilience and improve water quality in our creeks,
This is planned for 2028 and gives us the opportunity to upgrade the the trail section in the greenway area.
The images below show where the underground storage is proposed to be located.
It's between the trail entrances on Oldfield Drive and Chartwell Court.
And centred within Jadestone Crt, Dunnigton Crt, Drumoak Place & Darlington Place

WHEN COMPLETED IT WILL:
Reduce the risk of flooding
Improve water quality in Idlewood Creek & the Grand River
Reduce erosion in Idlewood Creek
Improve resilience against climate change
Enhance community safety
We will replace the existing trail network with a paved three-meter-wide asphalt trail.
This is part of the City’s commitment to making multi-use trails comfortable for all ages and abilities.
We will upgrade all trail entrances and add line painting, permanent and removable bollards, and signage

Learn more at engagewr.ca/idlewood-stormwater

What Is An Underground Water Storage Facility?

Underground stormwater facilities store water in an underground tank system.
Stormwater enters the systems where sediment & debris are captured before being released to nearby creeks.
In some cases, water may be allowed to infiltrate into the ground where possible.
Underground stormwater facilities are generally not visible from the surface.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How big will the underground storage facility be? Where would it be in the greenway?
We have yet to confirm location within the park, size and design details. We will develop these details through the design process. We'll share design proposals with the public for review and comments at various stages. Plans may change considerably throughout the design process.

Does an underground stormwater storage facility make noise? How is it maintained?
The facility will not make ongoing noise once installed. Maintenance with heavy equipment may occur every few years. We can confirm the maintenance schedule when we complete the stormwater facility designs.

Will the underground stormwater storage facility affect groundwater levels or make my basement wet?
In Fall 2022 we conducted drilling at the greenway to assess the groundwater table and the soil conditions on site. Stormwater facility design will take into account current condition information. The stormwater facility will not negatively impact groundwater levels.

Will paths be returned to a natural habit rather than paved?
We will replace the existing trail network with a paved three-meter-wide asphalt trail. This is part of the City’s commitment to making multi-use trails comfortable for all ages and abilities. We will upgrade all trail entrances. We will add line painting, permanent and removable bollards, and signage.

Will maintenance of the stormwater facility be noisy?
The underground stormwater facility will not make noise once installed. It will likely need to be maintained using heavy equipment every few years. We can't confirm the maintenance schedule until the designs are finalized.