Victoria Park Heritage Review and Designations - 2026-05-05 - Heritage Kitchener

Council reviewed the Victoria Park Master Plan heritage assessment, with final recommendations expected to return by June 1. Members focused on how proposed park upgrades can proceed without undermining the heritage character of Victoria Park, including concerns about signage, trail materials, and the cumulative effect of small changes. Council also approved steps toward heritage designation for 105-117 Onward Avenue and 130 Weber Street West.

Topics Discussed

1. VICTORIA PARK MASTER PLAN HERITAGE REVIEW

Council heard a presentation on the Victoria Park Master Plan and the related heritage review prepared by Archaeological Services Inc. Michelle Drake said the purpose was “not [to] walk you through every single recommendation of the draft master plan, but rather to sort of highlight the theme areas and the findings as they relate to heritage” within the broader master plan process.

Staff said the review looked at how proposed changes fit within the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District. The park was described as a “romantic landscape,” with meandering pathways, wooded areas, open lawns, framed views, and the lake as a focal point. The draft master plan includes 43 recommendations: 25 capital projects, nine strategic initiatives, and nine policy changes.

2. LANDSCAPE CHARACTER, DESIGN STANDARDS, AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Staff said the heritage review supports maintaining views to and from the lake, preserving open spaces such as the commons and meadow, retaining wooded areas, and avoiding unnecessary widening or straightening of paths.

A key issue in the review was the combined effect of multiple small changes. Michelle said, “The primary risk that they did share was the idea of cumulative impacts,” adding that “if there are numerous small and/or uncoordinated changes in the park, their collective impact could be a concern,” especially through “cumulative visual clutter.”

Councillor Chapman raised a specific concern about signage, saying, “I just hate to see the park full of signs, right? It’s a large park, but it’s not that big, I guess.” Staff said signage and other park elements would need a coordinated design approach so that new additions do not overwhelm the landscape.

Staff also said new or replacement structures should use natural materials, muted and historically appropriate colours, and a design approach based on compatibility rather than imitation.

3. PARK INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACTIVE PLAY AREA UPGRADES

Council discussed several park facilities that need replacement or redesign, including the picnic shelter, splash pad, trails, seating, and parts of the active play area.

Staff said the city is trying to coordinate projects in the south active play zone, including replacing the picnic shelter, reviewing the summer kitchen location, improving accessibility, and reorganizing play and recreation features so they work better together. The goal, staff said, is to make improvements while respecting the park’s heritage character.

Councillor Mark said some smaller additions do not necessarily need to be built into the larger strategic plan from the start: “We know it’s used, but a permanent facility like that, we can certainly add it after the fact. It doesn’t necessarily have to be part of the larger strategic plan.”

Staff said detailed designs for early projects, including the picnic shelter replacement, would come back through heritage review processes.

4. TRAILS, ACCESS, TRAFFIC, AND PARK EXPANSION

Council also discussed circulation through the park, including pedestrian movement, parking, and conflicts between walkers and faster-moving users such as e-bikes and scooters.

Staff said the master plan proposes “a sort of bypass trail around the backside” of the active play area to reduce conflicts near the parking lot, pavilion, and washrooms. On trail materials, staff said asphalt is likely the most practical option because it is cost-effective and can meet accessibility requirements for a firm, stable surface.

One speaker objected strongly to that possibility, saying, “I abhor, I abhor and I don’t think it has a place in the park for it.”

Council also heard that expansion of Victoria Park beyond the railway is still being considered, but only as part of a broader citywide property acquisition process. Staff said, “It is being pursued but as part of the larger city initiative just because the resources to acquire properties is finite.”

5. HERITAGE REGISTER AND DESIGNATION ITEMS

Council reviewed heritage designation reports for 130 Weber Street West and 105-117 Onward Avenue.

For 130 Weber Street West, staff described an early 20th-century industrial vernacular building with Art Deco influence associated with Kaya Fabrics. The report said the company was significant in the Canadian textile industry and that its textile art prints helped shape Canadian art textile styles.

For 105-117 Onward Avenue, staff described a three-storey mid-20th-century brick apartment building associated with post-war residential development in Kitchener. During discussion, one council member asked, “Was there not another apartment beside that of the same heritage at one point? I’m sure there was two.”

Council approved pursuing heritage designation under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for both properties. The items are scheduled to proceed to full council on June 29, 2026.

Motions

Approved: - Victoria Park Master Plan heritage review received; final recommendations to return by June 1 - Pursue heritage designation under Section 29 for 105-117 Onward Avenue - Pursue heritage designation under Section 29 for 130 Weber Street West

Attendees

• Councillor Chapman
• Councillor Mark