Times have changed from the 1960s and 1970s, as we all know, but when it comes to

managing the water systems in our city and the rain and snow that falls, getting back to nature is what it’s all about.

In 2012, the City of Kitchener completed work on rehabilitating Victoria Park Lake. This summer, the city’s stormwater utility is taking steps to protect its investment in the lake by rehabilitating the channel of concrete in Filsinger Park between Westmount Road and Fischer-Hallman road, and naturalizing it. For safety reasons trails and park access will be closed, with signage placed near the project site to help trail users find their way around the project area.

“In the ‘60s and ‘70s, the idea was to get stormwater out as fast as possible, and this often involved the construction of concrete channels that moved the water quickly while minimizing erosion,” said Melissa Ryan, design and construction project manager. “Here, the sediment just flows right through to Victoria Park Lake, so naturalizing this channel will reduce the deposits of sediment in the lake. When it comes to stormwater, we want to slow it down, soak it up, keep it clean.”The concrete will be removed, and rocks and tree logs will be placed along the watercourse as a way to slow the flow and lower the elevations throughout the creek. Lots of calculations went into this work, Ryan said. “We’ll be using tree debris from the ice

storm in this project, burying it into the banks to help add protection and we will also be planting vegetation,” said Ryan, adding steps will be taken to protect infrastructure such as hydro poles and sewers, as well as private property backing onto the park. “The vegetation takes a while to grow, so the debris will help stabilize the banks until the vegetation has time to grow and mature. It’s also a bit of a good news story that can come out of the ice storm that caused so much damage to the trees across the city.”With more greenery and a winding and natural creek stream, fish will have an improved habitat and the water quality moving towards the park lake will be enhanced as a result, Ryan said. The work being done at Filsinger Park

is some of the first like it in the region. Once the project is complete, residents can expect an improved creek, improvements to wildlife habitat and a more visually appealing park.“The park that the community knows and loves will be improved as a result of this project,” said Ryan, adding the safety of residents and neighbouring communities is of utmost importance. “There will still be trails, a creek and open space areas for residents to enjoy once the work is done. Where there is a bridge crossing now, there will still be a bridge crossing when we’re done.”More information on the Filsinger Park naturalization project is found at www.kitchener.ca/filsinger n

Increasing sponsorship revenues

How do you feel about a corporate logo on a city sports field? Or, a city building named after a local

company? Or, city swimming programs, festivals and events sponsored by a private-sector business?

In a survey the city has launched, Kitchener residents and business are being asked to weigh in on the city’s

Municipal Partnership Program (MPP), and the extensive list of municipal assets that could be leveraged for new revenue-generating sponsorships.The MPP is designed to generate new, non-tax revenue for the municipality through partnerships with private sector companies, like naming rights of city facilities, sponsoring city events, program and services, and advertising on city websites and publications. These new non-tax revenues would be used to improve city programs, services and facilities to benefit the entire community.

Continued on page 3

Connect with Kitchener

anytime, anywhere

If you’ve got a question, need to request a service or report a problem to the City of Kitchener, it just

got even easier to get the answers and information you need – anytime, anywhere.

The next evolution of the City of Kitchener’s Customer Service Strategy has seen two new developments launched recently which focus on making it as easy as possible to interact with the city, including: the launch of the new Ping Street mobile app and the expansion to 24/7 service from the city’s contact centre.“We know that people want multiple ways to access local government staff and services, whether by phone, walk-in, email, online, or self-serve and these new developments are just some of the ways that we’re continuously improving to meet their needs, “ said Jana Miller, executive director of the city’s Chief Administrator’s Office.New mobile appLaunched July 3, the city’s newest customer service tool, PingStreet, is a

mobile app that allows users to do things such as report potholes or graffiti by taking a photo, see up-to-the minute road closures in their area, browse a calendar of events and look at their garbage and recycling schedule. The location-based app works on all smart phone devices and can be downloaded for free. “Things like social media and technology play an important role in customer service today. Most often, the first place people go for an answer is online,” added Miller. “Ping Street gives them one-touch access to a wide range of city information, services and connection points.”Contact us 24/7 at 2345Recently, the city’s centralized contact center implemented full 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service. Manager of customer service, Jeannie Murphy, notes that the easy-to-remember phone number 519-741-2345 also helps to make it simple to reach the city. For more information or other ways to connect with Kitchener, visit www.kitchener.ca/en/contactus.asp n

KitchenerYour

The city’s publication for its residents July-August 2014

From this - to this!

Your Kitchener is published every other month to keep citizens informed on local issues and events. Questions or comments can be directed to 519-741-2345 ext. 7383 or communications@kitchener.ca. The City of Kitchener is committed to providing accessible formats. If another format would work better for you, please contact the number above.

On hot days and in heat waves, everyone is either in the water, near the water or wishing they were.

While water bodies such as pools, ponds, rivers and lakes are a source of enjoyment and excitement on hot days, they can also be dangerous for young children, new Canadians, and non-swimmers.

Did you know that 65 per cent of children under the age of five were alone near water when they drowned? Since drowning can occur very quickly, in as little as 10 seconds, and is often silent, it is essential that safety is practiced in and around the water. The City of Kitchener has revamped its swimming lessons program and will be launching it in September. Taking swimming lessons teaches crucial swim skills to children, and educates both children and parents on the importance of being safe around water wherever they go. “For the youngest children, it is crucial that a supervising adult remains within an arm’s reach of the child at all times,”

said Dave Millar, supervisor of aquatics for the City of Kitchener. “As children progress through the levels, they will be taught how important it is to swim with a buddy and how to keep themselves safe around water. In more advanced swimming levels, children will begin to learn how to rescue themselves, or others, in the water.” The new aquatics program will feature an increased focus on skills - such as building endurance in the water and understanding the importance of safe behaviour in water. The city’s four indoor pools and four outdoor pools are staffed by lifeguards. Many of these lifeguards first learned to swim through the City of Kitchener’s learn to swim program years ago. Our new program has been designed to further ease the transition into lifeguarding courses. Information on lifeguarding courses is available at any City of Kitchener pool. Here are some tips to keep you safe in, on and around the water:

• Restrict and control access to the water. Enclose backyard pools on all four sides with a fence and a self-latching, self-closing gate; drain bathtubs when not in use; empty unattended wading pools and buckets.

• Wear a lifejacket when boating. Toddlers should wear a lifejacket anytime they are near water.

• Stay within arms’ reach of young children when they are near water – in the backyard, the beach and in the bathroom.

• Go to lifeguard-supervised beaches and pools.

• Learn to swim. Enroll children in swimming lessons and in a swimming survival program such as the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive.

To register for swimming lessons, or to find out more about the city’s aquatics and lifeguarding programs, please see www.kitchener.ca/pools. n

Permission to burn

You’re staring at the pile of twigs and debris left from the ice storms. They’re all piled at

the back of your property, but you’d really rather just get rid of them. Quickly. Why not just burn them?

Don’t do it. Open-air burning, where leaves, brush, or other combustible waste material are burned on private property, is not permitted in Kitchener without a permit, which is issued by the Kitchener Fire Department.Backyard recreational fire pits are permitted in Kitchener, provided they are five metres from a property line, a building or combustible materials. Fires in fire pits must be contained by a distinctive, raised, non-combustible barrier that completely surrounds the fire pit to separate it from the surrounding area.Fires are allowed between 6 -11 p.m.Neither recreational fires nor open-air burning are permitted while a fire ban or smog alert is in effect. To obtain a permit, go to www.kitchener.ca and search “open-air burning permit.” n

Fluxible thinking Kitchener will become a user

experience party disguised as a conference, as Fluxible hits town

Sept. 13-14 at the Communitech Hub and Tannery event centre.

For two days, “user experience” means workshops with names like “Data, Go Home, You’re Drunk,” “Deconstructing Delight,” “Narcissistic Products Suck” and “Rapid Ideation.” Sponsored in part by the City of Kitchener, Fluxible intersects technology, art, design and marketing, bringing it together into 10 talks and half-day workshops.

Investing in arts

Local arts and cultural organizations will have an opportunity to develop their sponsorship skills and apply for matching funds, thanks to a program offered by Business for the Arts, Canada’s only national charitable organization of business members who support the arts. Business for the Arts announced recently that Kitchener-Waterloo will receive matching incentive grants -- up to $75,000 -- and sponsorship training for 2014-2015 through artsVest™. A networking event in June brought together local arts and culture organizations, business and community leaders and with an in-depth sponsorship training workshop.“The program is designed to assist

small to medium-sized arts and culture organizations in developing new and mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses,” said Emily Robson, arts and culture coordinator for the City of Kitchener. “It builds on the role of local businesses in investing in an authentic and vibrant arts scene.”The funding stems from Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.“We are delighted to bring the artsVest program to these new Ontario communities for 2014-2015,” said Nichole Anderson, president and CEO of Business for the Arts. “Continuing to impact every community it enters, artsVest helps facilitate new partnerships between local businesses and arts groups, by strengthening the local economy and cultural resources.”Since the introduction of the program in Ontario in 2002 to 2013, 1,571 businesses have partnered with 465 cultural organizations through artsVest – 968 of these businesses were first-time sponsors of the arts. A total of $2.92 million in matching funds generating over $6 million in private-sector sponsorship and resulted in an influx of more than $9 million to the cultural economy. n

Swim safe, play safeIt’s grilling season. There’s always something fun happening at the Kitchener Market. Free events take place on Saturdays. For details, visit www.kitchenermarket.ca/eventsCorn Festival: Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Discover your love for cooking at the market! Classes take place 6:30-8:30 p.m. BBQ and grilling techniques: Wednesday, July 16Wine & Art: Thursday, July 17Vegetarian options: Wednesday, July 23Japanese cuisine: Wednesday, Aug. 6Wine & Art: Thursday, Aug. 14Spanish cuisine: Wednesday, Aug. 20A taste of Italy: Wednesday, Sept. 10To register, visit www.kitchenermarket.ca/cookingclasses or email info@kitchenermarket.ca n

New waterproof bike map now available. Pop in to city hall to pick up your complimentary copy of the 2014 BikeKitchener bike map. The map includes information on bike safety, the current and proposed bike network, and locations of secure bike parking and fix-it facilities. www.bikekitchener.ca n

Cruising on King Join us on Friday, July 11 for the 24th annual Cruising on King Street, presented by Canadian Tire. Each year, hundreds of classic cars roll into Victoria Park for an annual show-and-shine. Following that, the classic cars form one of the largest classic car parades in Canada for thousands of enthusiasts lining King Street in downtown Kitchener. Live music, entertainment and sponsored booths round out an evening down memory lane. www.kitchenerevents.ca. n

Kitchener in Bloom stormwater award. Is there a home or business that you know of that you think makes Kitchener a more beautiful place to live? Kitchener in Bloom introduces a non-residential award for stormwater management. Nominate a business for efforts to beautify AND manage stormwater runoff with landscapes that feature:• Rain gardens and bioswales • Rainwater harvesting • Permeable pavingNominations are due July 9. To nominate, email kitchenerinbloom@kitchener.ca. For more information, go to www.kitchener.ca/bloom n

Food truck heavenThe Family Centre at 65 Hanson Ave.

partners with United Food Trucks, a collective of local food truck

operators, to hold a food truck rally on the last Tuesday in the month from April to Sept. 30. A share of the sales go to support the Morning Glory Café @ The Family Centre youth training program. “When we hold our food truck rallies, we are active on social media, and we also let the surrounding businesses know about it. As such, we have people coming from far and wide to get a great meal and support a good cause,” said Cameron Dearlove, program coordinator at The Family Centre. “The staff working here work hard for children and youth, and do so without seeking recognition. These events are

nice opportunities for staff to take a lunch break, connect with friends, get a great lunch, and receive some much deserved recognition for their hard work.”The city is also holding two food truck festivals this summer – the first on Saturday, July 5, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restaurants and food trucks take over King Street for the King StrEATery Food Festival. More than 15 food trucks are participating, including West of Seoul, Fo’Cheesy, the Schmuck Truck and Smoothe Operator are part of the Days of KWAwesome street festival. The second festival is Sunday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Outlaw Food Truck Rally will close out the

Rock and Rumble weekend, with more than 18 food trucks from around Waterloo Region, Hamilton and the GTA descending on downtown for this second annual food truck event. Under the City of Kitchener’s food truck license, food trucks can operate in identified parks and business areas across the city, and this year, in the Civic District as a pilot project. The pilot in the Civic District would permit one to three food trucks to operate on a daily basis near Centre in the Square. Food trucks would also be permitted in, subject to restrictions:• McLennan Park • Victoria Park• Huron Natural Area • Budd Park • Southwest Optimist Park • Huron Business Park on any private

property provided permission is obtained from the property owner.

Every Monday, Civic Square plays host to a food truck and live music from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Food trucks will also make special appearances at numerous festivals and events like Kidspark and the TD Kitchener Blues Festival. The new bylaw also allows both restaurants and local schools to hold one-off promotional events in partnership with a food truck. For more information on obtaining a license for a food truck or food truck event, contact licensing in the clerk’s office at city hall. n

Building blocks of planningOne could be forgiven for glazing

over when the words “Official Plan” and “zoning bylaw” come

up. They’re complex and difficult entities to understand, unless you’re a planner, developer or member of council.

But both the Official Plan and the in-progress comprehensive review of zoning bylaws (CRoZBy) project impact the lives of residents because they determine what your property can be used for (e.g. residential, commercial, parks) and what and where on your property you can build.

Zoning bylaws are influenced by Official Plans, transportation demand management, and the current work on the light rapid transit system. After consultation with the public, developers, planning consultants, and other stakeholders over the next three years, the outcome of the CRoZBy project will be a new zoning bylaw for the entire city. “Every property in the city belongs to a zone, which tells you what you can and cannot build,” said Natalie Goss, senior planner for the City of Kitchener. “We’re

mandated by the Planning Act to review our zoning bylaws once there is a new Official Plan. Our zoning bylaw is 20-30 years old, and now needs to reflect current regulations.”Everyone has the opportunity to provide feedback throughout the review process. The first round of feedback, to critique the existing zoning bylaw, will run until the end of August. For more information and to provide feedback please visit www.kitchener.ca/crozby. n

‘S-up this summer?

It’s summer and the kids are out of school. What to do with them? That’s where the city’s youth drop-in

programs come in. The programs run until Aug. 15, and this year the city is adding one more location at the Bridgeport Community Centre.

“The youth drop-ins are a safe and supervised place to hang out,” said Dannon Vasey, youth coordinator for the City of Kitchener. “Young people make new friends and try new activities. They begin to feel a sense of connection to the community where they live, and learn from positive role models.”

“I really love volunteering and spending time with young people at Chandler Youth Crew,” said Mohamed, 16, a past participant of the youth drop-in program Chandler Mowat Community Centre. “It brings joy to my heart and I love seeing these young people grow.”Garrick, 18, is spending his summer working as a leader with the youth drop-in at Chandler Mowat. He said a big draw of the drop-in that it’s multicultural, and everyone feels included as they connect with each other.“I like this program as it helps kids stay out of trouble,” he said. “After a few times of coming to the program, you get to know people and open up to one another like friends.”Skateboarders have lots of options, too, including permanent skateparks

at The Aud and McLennan Park. The mobile skatepark, the Doon Skatium, travels to different locations during the summer months to provide supervised opportunities for youth from across Kitchener to practice their tricks and learn new skills. For a schedule of dates and locations, go to www.kitchener.ca and search “skatium.”The Aud’s skatepark features include a concrete pad, a bowl, a double camel’s hump, a quarter pipe with a rail, a ramp with a grinding rail, a pyramid and a horizontal grinding rail. At McLennan Park, the skatepark features a street course and a concrete bowl. Both parks are unsupervised, and can be used year round, depending on weather conditions, by all ages from 9 a.m. to dusk. n

Ribfest. Lip-smacking barbequed ribs and chicken, great craft-brewed beer and live entertainment come to Victoria Park July 18-20 as the Downtown Kitchener Rib Fest and Beer Show. Bring your family or meet your friends and co-workers to savour the flavours. www.kitchenerribandbeerfest.com n

Rock and Rumble. If you like the rumble of motorcycles, or legendary rock hits, you’ll want to join us on Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. This year’s event has been expanded to a two-day festival featuring hundreds of motorcycles from across Ontario as they line King Street in front of city hall and throughout the downtown. Live bands on the main stage in Civic Square will put the rock in Rock and Rumble. www.kitchenerevents.ca n

Kidspark It’s fun. It’s free. An annual tradition in Victoria Park, Kidspark returns to offer an exciting day full of activities, inflatable games, entertainment, live children’s performers, art, crafts and more! This year, join us on Sunday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a day packed full of fun for the whole family. www.kitchenerevents.ca n

Kitchener Panthers. Catch a ball game in your backyard! The Kitchener Panthers, established in 1919, play out of Jack Couch Park at The Aud. Visit www.theaud.ca for their home game schedule. n

August 7 to 11 Downtown will be smoking! Did you know the TD Kitchener Blues Festival is likely North America’s largest free blues festival, attracting over 160,000 blues fans from around the world to Kitchener last year? This year fans will be treated to such legends as Buddy Guy and Percy Sledge to Beau Soleil and many, many more. All ages welcome. www.kitchenerbluesfestival.com n

sponsorship revenues continued from page 1

The development of a comprehensive Partnership Program is in the early stages. Michael May, Kitchener’s Deputy CAO of Community Services, said the potential to reinvest proceeds from the MPP is the foundation of the program.May said the survey feedback is an important step in helping to shape the program, adding it will take time to build the program to effectively identify, cost

and sell any partnership opportunities.“Fundamentally, this is a new way of doing business for the city,” May said. “It is important to note that whatever amount of revenue the city can generate through this program will be subject to market conditions and the uptake from the private sector. We know that the growth of this program, and the revenues generated from it, will take many years to achieve. This is not a cure-all for some of the city’s financial challenges, but it does have the

potential to provide us with one more source of revenue to reinvest into our community.”The survey is posted on the city’s website and runs to July 31. Hard copies are available by contacting the city at 519 741 2602 or communications@kitchener.ca. The results of the survey will be used to help create the Municipal Sponsorship Strategy and the inventory of municipal assets that will form the basis of the MPP. n

They say it’s us,but it’s not!How will you know Kitchener Utilities is at your door?

If you’re not sure, call us at 519-741-2626 or visit www.kitchenerutilities.ca for more information.

• We will let you know in advance

• We will be wearing uniforms

• We will let you know in advance

• We will be wearing uniforms

• We will be driving a clearly marked vehicle

• We will have photo i.d.

• We will be driving a clearly marked vehicle

• We will have photo i.d.

Kitchener Utilities, your community-owned, local utility you can trust!

Homeowners and business owners are saving money by applying

for stormwater credits.Learn how you can do the same by visiting

www.reepgreen.ca/rain, or by calling 519-744-9799 ext. 4

Some free RAIN Business Visits still available. Contact us for details.

We soak up rain and save.DO YOU?

reepGreen Solutions

If you

…who will?

www.kitchener.ca/election #kitchenervote

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Vote and be heard

October 272014 Municipal Election

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OCTOBER 27, 2014

REMEMBER!Choose the Marketplace for your event and we’ll takethe stress out of planning. From a basic room rentalto fully customized packages, the Kitchener Marketis your partner in creating an event they’ll cherish.

The Marketplace is a 2,000 sq. ft. room located in the heart of the market with a full-sized commercial

kitchen - perfect for hosting a variety of events.

For more information and to view our photo gallery, visit www.kitchenermarket.ca/rentals or call 519-741-2287.

Give them a PARTY they’ll