Cataraqui West Community Park

Below, you'll find a timeline of events that took place between the second engagement session for Cataraqui West Community Park in November 22, and the beginning of park construction in October 2026.

• Nov. 23, 2022 – Addition of the dog park concept presented to the public as part of the second public engagement, in response to feedback received from the first public engagement.
• March 15, 2023 – First submission to Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc. to request permission for the proposed pathway within the gas line easement that is located within the park site.
• April 26, 2023 – Second submission to Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc. with revised pathway alignment in response to comments received from Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc.
• June 1, 2023 – 60% Detail Design drawings circulated for technical review to other City departments.
• July 11, 2023 – City Council approves the inclusion of an off-leash dog park in Cataraqui West Community Park.
• Sept. 13, 2023 – Third submission to Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc: the sports lights at the soccer field are re-located to comply with Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc. requirements.
• Sept. 2023 – In response to technical review feedback, the decision was made to add a maintenance building.
• Sept. 2023 – In response to technical review feedback, the decision was made to add a concrete pad with servicing for a possible future washroom.
• Oct. 5, 2023 – In response to technical review feedback, the parking lot was re-designed to allow for possible future expansion onto the hydro lands. Tennis and Pickleball courts were re-configured to accommodate re-designed parking lot and preserve mature trees.
• Nov. 22, 2023 – Agreement with Hydro One to lease land for the dog park was executed. An amendment to include future parking was discussed.
• Jan. 23, 2024 – Fourth submission to Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc. to address depth of cover over the pipeline at pathway crossings
• January 2024 – Twelve boreholes drilled into stockpile at Creekford commercial soils site to test for suitability for use at the Cataraqui West Community Park site.
• Feb. 16, 2024 – Stormwater Technical memo re-submitted - stormwater sewer capacity revised.
• Feb. 23, 2024 - Soil tests conclude that soils stockpiled at Creekford site are suitable for parkland use.
• Feb 29, 2024 – Fifth submission to Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc. – construction vehicle weights provided.
• March 2024 – Preliminary soil management plan for placement and use of imported soils.
• April 22, 2024 – Trans-Northern Pipeline Inc. permission received, with 15 conditions, to construct a granular pathway within the gas line easement.
• May 2024 – Park grading was re-designed to accommodate the addition of three stormwater drainage basins in response to feedback from Stormwater Technical memo review.
• July-August 2024 – Vegetation removal and the construction of a granular road to allow for import of fill and access to the Trans-Northern Pipeline occurred.
• Aug. 28, 2024 – Excavation of three pits along gas line to determine top of pipe elevations. Trans-Northern Pipeline Inspector was on-site to monitor & confirm.
• Sept. 2024 – Excess fill from Woodbine Park imported & stockpiled at Cataraqui West Community Park site.
• May 28,2025 – Revised Stormwater and Servicing report (#3) submitted for review.
• June 2025 – Maintenance building design complete
• July 2025 – Excess fill from Grenadier Park imported & stockpiled at Cataraqui West Community Park site.
• Sept. 9, 2025 – Revised Stormwater and Servicing report (#4) re-submitted.
• Oct. 10, 2025 – Stormwater and Servicing Report sign-off received
• Oct. 17, 2025 – Decision to split construction into two phases, with Phase 1 focusing on soil transfer to site, and Phase 2 focusing on park construction
• November 2025 – Tender released for Soil Haul from Creekford site to Cataraqui West Community Park site.
• December 2025 – May 2026 – Soil haul work executed.
• June 2026 – Park construction tender released.
• September 2026 – Contract to construct the park is awarded to Orin Contractors.
• October 2026 – Park construction to begin.

We're one step closer to the creation of the new Cataraqui West Community Park!

The City has hired a contractor, and construction is anticipated to start in Fall 2026. The project is expected to be complete in Fall 2027.

Thank you for your patience, and stay tuned for further updates!

Construction at Cataraqui West Community Park is starting!

In November 2022, a second public engagement was held to present revised park design options for the new Cataraqui West Community Park. This was a follow-up consultation that incorporated changes to the plans based on feedback from the project’s initial July public engagement, when we received feedback from 220 respondents.

The sessions were held both virtually and in-person. Two revised park concepts were presented with options for the splashpad design and playground equipment. An online survey was posted on Kingston’s Get Involved platform and residents were encouraged to complete the survey and provide comments on the proposed designs. Feedback was collected from 110 respondents from the second survey and the zoom webinar.

Park layout plan:

75% of respondents preferred Concept B over Concept A. Subject to budget approval, Concept B would be advanced for construction later this year.

Preferred Park Layout Concept B from November 2022:

Concept B includes tennis and pickleball courts in the northeast corner of the park with a parking lot south of the courts. A playground, splash pad and shade structure are proposed south of the parking lot. A rectangular sports field would be south of the playground. A basketball court is south of the splashpad near Holden St. The future potential location for a skateboard park would be further south of the basketball court. A softball diamond is proposed in the north-west part of the park. A public washroom is not part of the current project, but space will be preserved, and servicing planned for a future building.

Concept B also includes an off-leash Dog Park. Residents had questions and comments about the Dog Park such as:

• Love the idea! Nice to have another off-leash area in the city
• Will there be sections in it for small dogs and big dogs?
• […] with the distance away from residential areas and the natural trees and vegetation, it will dampen noises that might be a concern for some residents.
• […] not a fan of off leash dog parks, but I am a dog owner & lover - aggressive dogs and owners not picking up after their dog.
• […] concerned about parking and people not leashing their dogs once they leave the off-leash area.

Playground equipment:

Option #3 was preferred by over half of the respondents and the final design will include these pieces of play equipment in the playground. The equipment includes a swing set, separate junior and senior play structures with slides as well as a large climbing structure and a teeter totter.

Preferred Option #3 Play equipment:

Splash pad:

The preferred Splash Pad design was Option A which received support from over 65% of respondents. The design has 4 vertical spray elements including a Sun Spray with a spinning water ring, a trio of dump buckets, a spray loop, a misting post as well as several ground jets.

Splash Pad Option A:

Other comments received that may be considered during project detailed design were:

• […] glad that natural treed areas are being saved as much as possible. For trees planted along the accessible walkways, they should be planted on the SOUTH side of the walkway to provide shade for walkers.
• […] plenty of benches for parents and seniors to relax around the park, particularly in the treed areas.
• […] wish there was an option for a skating rink.
• The placement of the parking lot is also ideal as it is centralized and allows for a closer walking distance for all activities.