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

  1. Bee City
  2. Community vegetable gardens
  3. Partners in Parks program
  4. Community plantings

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 goal

The 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:

  • stewardship: create, improve and maintain pollinator habitat on municipal parkland through community planting and managing invasive non-native plant species
  • educate the public about native pollinators at local events within Waterloo Region
  • celebrate native pollinators during National Pollinator Week (3rd week of June) or at other times
Structure

Waterloo'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:

  • chair
  • secretary
  • workday coordinator
  • education coordinator
  • community outreach
  • member at large

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 involvement

The 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
  • when a position vacancy exists, a volunteer recruitment notice will be published on the city's volunteering page and other sources typically during the month of January of each year
  • to be eligible for consideration, interested applicants must:
    • read and understand the Terms of Reference and volunteer position description
    • complete a volunteer application form and submit a resume with two references
  • Volunteer Services and the city staff liaison will review all applications, carry out interviews and reference checks and recommend appointments
Pollinator Working Group volunteer qualifications
  • must be 18 years of age or older, with preference given to those living, working or studying in the Kitchener-Waterloo area
  • experience or interest with native pollinators, educating youth and adults, event planning
  • willing to work cooperatively with other working group volunteers and city staff
  • available for monthly meetings and to assist at monthly events and activities on weekends or weekday evenings from May to October
  • able to undertake moderate physical exertion at events and stewardship activities
  • good written and verbal communication skills
  • good organizational skills
  • position is a minimum one-year term based on your enthusiasm, attendance and productivity

Community vegetable gardens

Find volunteer-run gardens at these local parks and public spaces:

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:
  • will approve the park location and provide all hand tools and supplies
  • will provide an orientation, leading and monitoring each activity, except for community litter cleanup

Group leaders:

  • must be 18 years of age or older
  • review our key information and safety guidelines before registering your group activity
  • ensure group participants wear protective clothing, have signed a waiver and are directly supervised with project tasks

Group participants:                                                          

  • can be family, friends, neighbours, community groups, churches, schools or, corporate teams
  • we recommend group participants are at least 14 years of age
  • adult participants sign an informed consent form, and include any children under age 18 in their care. 
  • will be required to do moderate physical activity such as bending, lifting, pushing wheelbarrows, digging, and walking in natural, uneven terrain

Orientation:

  • except for community litter cleanup, the city leads and monitors the activity to ensure tasks are completed safely, this includes initial orientation 
  • review our safety guidelines before participating in any group activity  
Safety guidelines

Personal safety:

  • wear protective clothing: 

    • closed-toe footwear, gloves, and long pants and sleeves.
  • group leaders should bring a first aid kit, and a cell phone for emergencies
  • only use supplies or hand tools provided by city staff, you may not use any tools brought with you
  • be prepared for moderate physical activity

Park safety:

  • view our interactive online map to understand the park boundary to avoid trespassing onto private property
  • be aware of potential hazards like, uneven ground, branches or trees, wild animals, stinging insects or plants and unstable or slippery ground near waterways
  • suspend activities when weather conditions are unsafe 

Litter cleanup safety:

  • only pick up litter, no leaves, cones, plants and tree limbs on the ground
  • do not pick up any of the following, instead, use the online reporting form to report dangerous or large items such as:
    • anything sharp that could cause a cut, puncture or abrasion
    • needles or syringes – if found in a city park, immediately contact 519-886-1550 (during business hours) or sharpscleanup@waterloo.ca with details
    • hazardous waste items that are corrosive, flammable, explosive or poisonous such as batteries, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), paints and solvents, lawn and garden chemicals, and propane tanks
    • large objects that are heavy, bulky, difficult to grasp or unstable including large items found within a creek or stormwater management pond
    • active or abandoned campsites, shelters, forts or gathering places with excessive litter and/or personal belonging

How to report dangerous dumping:

  • for registered community cleanups, instructions will be provided with your supply kit on how to report your litter clean up results
  • to report dumping or other litter issues, use our Report an Issue form

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:

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:
  1. Plan your long-term park project using the Partners in Park program guide (PDF).
  2. Select a project:
  3. 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:

  • 2 hours
  • neighbourhood-focused and designed for individuals, families and small groups
  • suitable for all ages – we use small and manageable plant materials and hand tools
  • requires moderate physical exertion, including bending, lifting up to 10 lbs, and walking on uneven terrain in natural areas
  • a parent or adult guardian must supervise children under 18 in their care
  • the city gives an orientation, leads and monitors the activity, and provides equipment and a snack

What to bring:

  • closed-toe footwear and appropriate clothing for natural areas
  • your own water