Community programs in parks
You can get involved in community stewardship programs in parks throughout spring, summer and fall. This document highlights our activities over the past year (PDF).
On this page
Bee City
The City of Waterloo is recognized as a Bee City due to our efforts to support native pollinators and their habitat. We do this through education and community stewardship on municipal parkland.
Visit Bee City Canada to learn more about the program and take the Canada-wide Pollinator Protection Pledge!
Waterloo's Pollinator Working Group
The City of Waterloo's pollinator working group provides educational experiences and park stewardship activities relating to native pollinators and their habitat.
Check the events calendar for upcoming activities or subscribe to our Bee City e-newsletter.
Become a Pollinator Working Group volunteer
If available, volunteer openings will be posted on our volunteering page in January each year. For more information, view the working group's terms of reference (PDF) and volunteer position description (PDF).
Community vegetable garden
Gardens are located at local parks and public spaces, and run by a team of volunteers. If you're interested in connecting with a garden or having a garden plot, please see the Community Garden Council of Waterloo Region Directory. If you are interested in a new garden or volunteering please contact gardens@waterloo.ca and view the toolkit.
Park locations:
- Eastbridge Sunset Community Garden
- Heasley Park Healthy Harvest Community Garden
- Patchwork Community Gardens - EMS Site
- Clair Hills Community Garden
- Lakeshore North Community Garden
- Vista Hills Community Garden
Partners in Parks
This program provides an opportunity to make a difference in your neighbourhood park though environmental improvement activities held from May to October every year.
Short-term stewardship activities
Organize a one-time community stewardship activity between May to October.
Short-term stewardship activities include:
- birdhouse maintenance and monitoring (PDF)
- community planting (PDF)
- litter clean-up (PDF)
- trail mulching (PDF)
If you're over 18 and interested in organizing an activity, fill out our online form for a short-term stewardship activity one month in advance.
Long-term park projects
Long-term opportunities for park enhancement generally involve ongoing maintenance throughout spring to fall for a three to five year renewable term.
Plan your project now with these application deadlines:
- March 31 for a spring or summer project (May 1 – August 31)
- May 31 for a fall project (September 1 – October 31)
Follow the these steps to submit your project application.
- Select a project of interest:
- Review the Partners in Park program guide (PDF)
- Contact stewardship@waterloo.ca to discuss a new idea or ask questions
Apply for a long term park project
Community plantings
During September and October we work with various groups to plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers in public parks. This is part of our community planting program (PDF).
Get involved! Get to know your neighbourhood park, meet new people and help make Waterloo a greener community by planting a tree.
During events, city staff provide direction, supply tools, and gloves. Bring your own water bottle, wear closed-toe footwear and appropriate clothing for natural areas. Those under 18 years must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Neighbourhood Associations or neighbourhood groups can host a park project involving the planting and maintenance of up to 15 trees (10-15 gallon) in your neighbourhood park this fall.
- View the 2022 community planting information sheet (PDF).
- Select one or two parks within your neighbourhood association that meets the criteria.
- Communicate with your neighbourhood to generate interest.
- Submit an application form no later than May 31, 2022.