Community programs in parks
Get involved in community park programs from spring to fall. Read about our activities from 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
View our volunteering page for current openings. Recruitment takes place in January of each year, if positions are available. For more information, view the Working Group's terms of reference below.
Pollinator Working Group terms of reference |
Our goalThe role of the City of Waterloo’s Pollinator Working Group is to support Bee City Canada program initiatives in Waterloo, committing annually to the following:
StructureWaterloo's pollinator working group consists of up to 12 adult volunteers and a city staff liaison from Parks, Forestry and Cemetery Services. Volunteer roles include:
The city staff liaison provides direction and guidance regarding event opportunities and work plan initiatives, technical support for park stewardship activities, administrative support and assistance with city promotions and design work. The long-term plan and objectives of this staff working group will be reviewed by city staff every 5 years or as required. Dissolution of the working group may be triggered if Bee City Canada designation no longer exists, tasks or mandate have been completed or following a program review process. Meetings and community involvementThe City of Waterloo’s Pollinator Working Group hold monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month (from 6 to 8 p.m.). Meetings generally take place within a city facility but may be held virtually via Microsoft Teams at the discretion of the city staff liaison. Google Drive is used for planning and sharing information. These meetings involve planning our involvement in community events and are not open to public participation. The working group plan their involvement in local community events within Waterloo Region where they offer educational displays and hands-on activities to educate youth and adults about native pollinators and habitat. The working group host community stewardship activities within parks in Waterloo, held weekday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m. or Saturday morning or afternoon. Working group volunteers assist at a minimum of one event or stewardship activity per month from May to October. Appointment
Pollinator Working Group volunteer qualifications
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Community vegetable gardens
Find volunteer-run gardens at these local parks and public spaces:
- Dunvegan Community Garden
- 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
- Gatestone Community Garden
To learn more about a garden or request a plot, visit the Waterloo Region Community Garden Network website.
Starting a community vegetable garden
Learn how to start a community vegetable garden with our guide (PDF). If you want to start a new garden or volunteer, email gardens@waterloo.ca.
Partners in Parks program
Make a difference in your neighbourhood park through a one-time group activity or a long-term community project.
Organize an activity
Connect with nature and help care for our natural environment from May to October:
- we provide tools, resources and technical expertise
- you must review key information and safety details before registration
- you recruit group participants
Key information |
City staff:
Group leaders:
Group participants:
Orientation:
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Safety guidelines |
Personal safety:
Park safety:
How to report dangerous dumping:
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Review the options below and register your group at least one month in advance. Registration opens March 1.
Group leaders (18+) can organize a one-time stewardship activity in a city park
Activities include:
- birdhouse maintenance at RIM Park environmental reserve (PDF)
- community litter clean-up (PDF)
- woodland trail mulching (PDF)
- manage invasive plant species (PDF)
Register for a stewardship activity
Long-term park projects
Long-term park improvement projects help build community, engage the neighbourhood and enhance green spaces. They involve ongoing maintenance from spring to fall for a 3 to 5-year renewable term.
Plan your project with these application deadlines:
- March 31 for a spring or summer project (May 1 to August 31)
- May 31 for a fall project (September 1 to October 31)
Follow these steps to submit your project proposal:
- Plan your long-term park project using the Partners in Park program guide (PDF).
- Select a project:
- community message board (PDF)
- little library (PDF)
- manage invasive plant species (PDF)
- plant and maintain
- pollinator garden (PDF)
- living fence buffer (PDF)
- large trees for neighbourhood parks (PDF)
- Contact stewardship@waterloo.ca to discuss a new idea or for more information.
Apply for a long-term park project
Community plantings
Every September and October, our Pollinator Working Group and Friends of Waterloo Park organize small community planting events in neighbourhood park natural areas.
Join us to learn more about native pollinators and healthy habitats, meet new people and help green our community, together.
Check back here for details about future fall events.
Planting event information |
Gather your family and friends to dig in and plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Event details:
What to bring:
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