Waterloo Park

Parks and trails are open for through access and passive activities that maintain physical distancing and gathering size limits.

Outdoor courts, dog and skate parks, benches, washrooms and shelters are open. Playgrounds will be open starting Friday July 17. 

Some park facilities remain closed, including splashpads, limited sports fields and outdoor gym equipment.

Find out how all city services are affected by COVID-19 on our response page.

Known as the jewel of the city, Waterloo Park has a lake, animal farm, picnic areas, splash pad, sport fields, playgrounds and more.

Download the park map (PDF) for more detail.

On this page

Park location, hours and directions

Waterloo Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The main entrance to the park is at 50 Young Street West.

Free vehicle parking is available from the Young Street West and Westmount Road North entrances to the park. Follow roads into the park and watch for signage. There is also free three-hour street parking along Father David Bauer Drive.

Bike parking racks are available by the splash pad and Park Inn concession on the park's east side, and beside the interactive play area on the west side.

Amenities, attractions and rentals

The park is known as the ‘jewel of the city' and sits on 111 acres in uptown Waterloo. Many areas are available for rent. 

There are accessible washrooms on the east and west sides of the park, open daily from May 1 to Thanksgiving Day. The east side washrooms are open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. during winter.

Propane BBQs are permitted in rented picnic areas, with the exception of the east gazebo and Lions Lagoon. Charcoal BBQs are not permitted per the city's open air burning bylaw. There is wifi at the baseball diamonds and the skate park.

There is no weekend availability remaining for bookings within Waterloo Park for the Summer 2020 booking season. Weekday and September availability is limited but remains at this time.

General amenities

General amenities and attractions include:

  • forests, trails and large green spaces (view city trail map for details)
  • picnic shelters and gazebos
  • Silver Lake and Laurel Creek
  • interactive playground, swings and a splash pad
  • farmstead with variety of animals
  • four baseball ball diamonds and a cricket pitch
  • single net basketball court
  • one rugby field and two soccer fields
  • skatepark
  • Victorian-style gardens
  • Abraham Erb's Grist Mill
  • Park Inn concession stand
  • Waterloo's first schoolhouse
  • Public Art and large harvest-style picnic tables

Lions Lagoon splash pad 

Lions Lagoon splash pad has been decommissioned and a new splash will open in early August, 2020 as part of the Waterloo Park improvements.

The splash pad will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. Guardian and caregivers are responsible for their children's safety at all times.

The splash pad will be closed in inclement weather when there is any risk for thunder and lightning and when the temperature is 20 degrees or below. Admission is always free.

Splash pad during COVID-19

Procedures for the opening of the new splash pad with COVID-19 include the splash pad being fenced in with a maximum capacity of 39 people, which included two city staff. Users will be required to line up to gain entry into the facility. To maximize use for all children, please limit family groups to one guardian/caregiver per family.

City staff will monitor patrons in the splash pad. Every 20 minutes staff will blow a whistle requiring everyone to vacate the facility to complete required cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces for 10 minutes at which time the next 37 participants can enter and enjoy the splash pad. You are welcome to line up to re-enter the splash pad. If no one is waiting in line to enter the splash pad, you can return to the splash pad area. 

There is a shaded sitting area for patrons, however please be prepared to be in the sun. Two meters physical distancing is required when lining up and playing in the splash pad.

Do not use the splash pad if you have a fever, an open sore or rash, or you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or flu-like symptoms.

Eby Farmstead
Eby Farmstead is centrally located in the park. It is home to a variety of animals including llamas, peacocks, chickens, potbelly pigs, miniature ponies, goats and more. Please do not feed the animals while visiting. Admission is free.

Skatepark

The Skatepark is located off Father David Bauer Drive and offers ramps, stairs and vertical elements. It is not lit and closes at dusk.

Grist mill

Abraham Erb's Grist Mill is a replica of the first mill built in Waterloo. Starting October 2019 it will be closed due to construction along Silver Lake. It is slated to re-open in 2022.

Park Inn concession stand

The Park Inn concession is open daily (10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) from the Friday of Victoria Day weekend until Labour Day.

It is located near the Lions Lagoon Splash pad and offers a range of drinks, snacks, ice cream and lunch items such as sandwiches, burgers and fries. Cash, debit and credit are accepted. 

Log school house
Built in 1820 by Pennsylvania German settlers and designated as a heritage site in 2012, the Waterloo Park Log School House is located near the main park parking lot off Young Street. It is the oldest standing school in the Region of Waterloo and the oldest known log house in Ontario.

Improvement plans and projects

Written in 2009, the Waterloo Park Master Plan provides a 20-year vision that identifies new park trends, expands on traditional roles and involves the public through an advisory committee.

Silver Lake will undergo renovation from 2019 to 2021. Improvements may include reconfiguration of the footprint and shoreline, changing depth and sediment management. Learn more on our studies page.

Friends of Waterloo Park volunteer group

This group works with the Waterloo Park Advisory Committee to promote the goals of the Waterloo Park Master Plan. Their goals include:

  • raising the park's profile
  • supporting development of new programs and events
  • raising funds to accelerate implementation of key features of the master plan
  • proposing ways of recognizing donations, initiatives and achievements in the park
  • promoting volunteerism and engaging residents in community building

Catch up with Friends of Waterloo Park on twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email them at fowp@waterloo.ca.

Friends of Waterloo Park terms of reference
Our mission

The Friends of Waterloo Park is a volunteer group that works in cooperation with the Waterloo Park advisory committee and the City of Waterloo to fulfill the goals of the Waterloo Park Master Plan. The Friends of Waterloo Park organize, promote and participate in events in the park and fundraise to enhance and accelerate improvements to Waterloo Park.    

Our Goals
  • foster community awareness of and appreciation for Waterloo Park
  • promote and encourage the use of newly implemented features as well as existing park features
  • raise funds for new projects, park enhancements and community activities
  • promote volunteerism to engage residents in barn-raising activities
A brief history

The Friends of Waterloo Park was established in April 2015 as a subcommittee of the Waterloo Park advisory committee of council (WPAC). In 2017, the subcommittee was re-designated as a volunteer group (City of Waterloo committee policy, 2007).

Structure

The Friends of Waterloo Park consists of a chair, a finance team, multiple specialty teams each coordinated by a team lead, a WPAC liaison and a City of Waterloo staff liaison. 

Meetings

The Friends of Waterloo Park meet in the evenings, once or twice a month, and work in the park once or twice each season.

Appointment
  • when a position vacancy exists, a volunteer recruitment notice will be published on the city website and other sources
  • interested applicants will contact volunteer services with a resume and two references before the deadline
  • volunteer services and the city staff liaison will review all applications, carry out interviews and reference checks and recommend appointments   
Qualifications for Friends of Waterloo Park

The list below outlines the requirements for being a member of the Friends of Waterloo Park. 

  • must be 18 years of age or older
  • have good organizational skills, written and verbal communication
  • show an interest or experience in finance, fundraising, sponsorship, communication, or event and program planning
  • be willing to work cooperatively in partnership with city staff and other Friends and delegates
  • be capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of the position held
  • commit to a minimum of one year is required, subject to review with the city staff liaison at any time
  • attend a minimum of four meetings and four activities over the course of one year

O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp

Members of the local Indigenous community have gathered on lands in Victoria Park, Kitchener since late June 2020. Victoria Park and Waterloo Park hold an important place in local Indigenous history and traditions.

Known as the O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp, this group of Indigenous people is gathering peacefully in solidarity and celebration, and to advance reconciliation actions.

Out of respect for this space and those gathering on it, please avoid visiting uninvited.

The cities of Waterloo and Kitchener are meeting with the land back camp organizers to discuss and determine next steps and how we can move forward together. These conversations will be ongoing and will take some time.

Educational resources

It’s important to learn about the complete history of Indigenous people in our country to understand the reasons why organizers are gathered at the O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp. 

We have been listening and we have been doing the recommended work to increase our understanding of the cultural and historical context of the current situation.  This is necessary work to advance the journey towards reconciliation. 

We encourage the community to do the same. Here is a small list of the numerous resources available by Google search to help you learn more and understand.  

  • Dish with One Spoon Treaty
  • Covenant Chain
  • Ontario Human Rights Code
  • UNDRIP