janeswalkwr

The Speed of Change in the Belmont/Westmount of Kitchener & the Fairview/Uptown West neighbourhood of Waterloo

When: Sunday, May 5, 1:30-3 p.m.

Where: Begin at Iron Horse Trail at Catalyst 137, and end atGlasgow and Belmont

Walk Leader: Barbara Larke

Our walk through time will look at the development of Westmount/Belmont in Kitchener and its related neighbourhood of Fairview and Uptown West in Waterloo.

Two years ago when I did this walk there had been dramatic changes in these neighbourhoods. Well, change never stops, so I have new developments and discoveries to share.

Come and find out about those “Iron Horses” on the trail, the long gone industries of the area, the growth of Belmont Village, and the recent changes to this vibrant part of KW.

The starting point is accessible by bus from both Glasgow (route 4) and Belmont (route 8)

Fairy Walk

April 5, 2019 janeswalkwr

When: Saturday, May 4, 3-4 p.m.

Where: Begin and end at Brubacher Green

Walk Leader: Laura McBride

The Fairy Walk: Building Social Capital For Our Children.

Social Capital is the everyday activities that build up a network of relationships between neighbours.

Join us as we search for dozens of ‘Fairy Doors’, talk to neighbours, and discuss about ways for children to build community and get to know their neighbourhood. We’ll also have a small Fairy Party in Brubacher Green.

What City is This?

April 3, 2019April 27, 2019 janeswalkwr

When: Sunday, May 5, 12-1 p.m.

Where: Begin at Sun Life Financial (227 King Street South, Waterloo) in the front garden and end at the Spurline Trail (at Ferdinand Ave)

Walk Leader: Kerri Hutchinson

Explore the Waterloo and Kitchener borders through Midtown and ask the question: “What city is this?”

Attendees will be encouraged to look for clues that let them know which city they are in as the boundary meanders “south” of Union Street.

The walk will highlight KW idiosyncrasies (and gems) like the Mount Hope Cemetery, changing street names, and the Spurline Trail.

Death and Life of a Great Urban Creek: Mill Creek Walk

April 2, 2019 janeswalkwr

When: Sunday, May 5, 2-3:30 p.m.

Where: Begin at Soper Park picnic shelter, end at University of Waterloo School of Architecture building

Walk Leader: Cambridge City Green

We’ll explore the human ecology of a rare cold-water watercourse, Mill Creek from Soper Park to its mouth along the Grand River, and how the creek has been altered, destroyed, and renewed over the past 200 years. The walk will consist of accessible, flat locations (asphalt walking trails, sidewalks). Distance may be an issue for some (i.e. Soper Park to Grand River and back again).

Attendees will be encouraged to participate in this walking conversation.

Reading a Neighbourhood

April 2, 2019May 2, 2019 janeswalkwr

When: Saturday, May 4, 10-11:15 a.m.

Where: Begin at Habitat for Humanity building (corner of Albert and Dorset), end at Waterloo Park

Walk Leader: Robert Shipley

We can learn a great deal about local cultural heritage and planning from the buildings and spaces in a few small blocks in Waterloo. The streets and open spaces immediately north of up-town Waterloo have been designated as a heritage conservation district for a very good reason.

Albert, MacGregor, Fountain and few other short streets as well as Waterloo Park provide us with a wonderful assortment of architectural styles, reminders of the past and planning features that can be read like a book of community development.

Robert Shipley, retired urban planning professor and former head of the Heritage Resources Centre will share humorous stories and a unique perspective on the neighbourhood.