S-L-O-W Excursion Up Kitchener’s Queen Street Corridor

When: Saturday May 3rd, 2025, 2:00 – 3:30/4:00 pm

Meeting Point: Schneider Haus National Historic Site, 466 Queen St. S.

Walk Leader: Martin de Groot & Katy Pfeiffer

Two neighbours from Bread & Roses Co-op at Queen and Courtland will host an easygoing exploration of downtown Kitchener’s other “main street,” past, present and future. We’ll gather on the front porch of the oldest house in Sandhills-Ebytown-Berlin-Kitchener and from there move up through a city centre that is currently in dramatic transition. Katy Pfeiffer will offer reflections and recollections from the perspective of someone who grew up in the neighbourhood. Martin de Groot will share thoughts and imaginings related to a hyperlocal civic engagement and appreciation project called “Queen Street: Ours to Discover.” Martin and Katy both tend to move slowly getting around town, taking advantage of rest stops along the way; consequently, the plan is to conduct this walk and talk at a leisurely pace. People of all ages, interests and walking paces are welcome, especially citizens who utilize canes, poles, walkers and transport chairs to enhance their mobility. Participants are encouraged to bring along sketch books, cameras, audio recorders, note pads, smart phones, etc., in the hope that they will be willing to share stories, thoughts, images and impressions as we walk along and over the weeks and months ahead as part of Queen Street: Ours to Discover.