Engage Kitchener User and Privacy Guidelines

Please share your feedback with us:
All points listed seem prudent and reasonable. Must have a plan in order to meet objectives. Very very happy to see trees finally listed as “corporate assets.”


Please share your feedback with us:
Many of my neighbours over the years have seen the trees on their property as belonging to them alone, with no community value. Increasing awareness and educating citizens on the value of the urban forest is critical. Neighbourhood level participation seems to get more buy in. The network of existing community centres and the Library seem like logical places to start.


Please share your feedback with us:
It’s been difficult to find info in the past about which City department to contact when there is an issue with a tree or illegal activity in a natural area, especially encroachment by homes neighbouring natural areas.


Please share your feedback with us:
The current efforts around the care of newly planted trees is dismal. Some areas lose more than half of the new trees within 2-3 years after planting. Any new efforts in these areas would be a big improvement.


Please share your feedback with us:
It may be very difficult to reverse 30 plus years of land development where the first thing that is done is all of the top soil is scraped off of the land and then removed before housing construction begins. I have lived in 2 newly developed areas where there was barely enough good soil left to grow a shrub, let alone a tree. Good to make a plan for the small amount of developable land left though I guess....



Is there anything missing from the draft Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy?
All sounds like a great start for an urban forest strategy. Just having a plan at all for some of these things will be a huge improvement.


Is there anything else that you want to tell us about the urban forest?
I cannot see any downsides to Kitchener having a large healthy urban forest. In fact the trees are vital to ameliorating the oncoming negative changes caused by global climate change. As a taxpayer I think we need to spend a lot more money and resources on the urban forest. By-laws will have to toughened substantially re: trees on private lands and a lot of education will need to be done. This strategy is a good start.

Please share your feedback with us:
I think it is a great plan as forestry is one of the most profitable things one can invest in.


Please share your feedback with us:
It would be wonderful to receive guidance on how private owners can participate.


Please share your feedback with us:
We have so much wealth in the various ages of our citizens. For the less demanding work, why not engage some of our seniors, perhaps in the middle income bracket that could use some extra money and hire them to assist at a reasonable wage.


Is there anything missing from the draft Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy?
I am concerned that like other plans this city has spent money on, when it comes to facilitating and there is pushback from the corporate sector, who should gave to include greenery in their space too, the plan will be dropped.

What elements would you like to see in a new playground at Kiwanis Park? Please order from most important to least important.
Natural rocks and log play elements, Slides, Sensory and auditory elements (ex: chimes, drums, tactile surfaces), Climbers/nets/monkey bars, Sand play area


Are there any other elements you would like to see in a new playground at Kiwanis Park?
Splash pad!!


What style of playground do you prefer?
Natural (only logs, stones, sand and mulch)


Do you have any other comments regarding the new playground at Kiwanis Park?
The playground would draw many more families if the park contained a Splash Pad.

We’d like to learn more about your experiences with the City of Kitchener. Think of a recent transaction or experience you had with the City.

What was the nature of your transaction?

Registered for a program at a community centre or pool


How did we meet your expectations during this transaction?
Met my expectations


We’ve heard from citizens that it’s important for City staff to make every effort to address your needs. What does that mean to you?
Select your top 3 answers.
Getting service in a reasonable amount of time, Getting the answers you need the first time, Receiving confirmation that your inquiry was addressed


If you completed any of these services online with the City of Kitchener in the last year, please tell us how satisfied you were with the experience. If you did not access a service online in the last year, select N/A.



Is there anything we could improve about your online experience(s)? Select all that apply.
Make services easier to find on the website or app, Reduce number of steps required to complete an online service


Are there any City services you’d like to be able to access online through our website or app that aren’t currently available? Select all that apply.
Buy swimming passes, View City facility rental availability (rinks, community centres, City Hall rotunda), Track location of snow plows during snow event


Rate these processes on a scale from easy (no red tape or barriers) to frustrating (lots of red tape of barriers). If you haven’t used the service in the last year, please select N/A.



If you have experienced frustration when accessing City services and programs, please tell us your top 3 reasons why it was frustrating.
Other - road work/closure list is not clear or easy to use


Was there a specific experience with the City that you found particularly frustrating? If so, what was it and why? Please be as specific as possible.
want to check if a road is still closed, no update online about finish date for work, map is blurry and hard to use on mobile



If it was offered, how likely would you be to do the following at the community centre in your neighbourhood?



What would be your preferred method to access and/or complete the following services?



When you have a question or want to report an issue, how would you most like to connect with us?



In the last year, have you submitted a complaint or reported a problem to the City?
No


In the last year, did you visit Kitchener City Hall to access a City service?
Yes


Which of the following services did you complete or access by visiting Kitchener City Hall? Select all that apply.
Get a marriage license


What could we improve about your City Hall experience(s)? Select all that apply.
Inconvenient to come downtown, Other - parking difficult to find

What elements would you like to see in a new playground at Kiwanis Park? Please order from most important to least important.
Climbers/nets/monkey bars, Swings, Spinning elements (ex: merry go rounds, spinning seats), Motion play (ex: spring toys, rockers, teeter totters), Activity panels (ex: store front, wheels, interactive text, games), Slides, Wood or natural log table and benches, Natural rocks and log play elements, Sand play area, Mud kitchen play feature, Sensory and auditory elements (ex: chimes, drums, tactile surfaces), Loose parts and materials (ex: branches, cut wood pieces, stones)


Are there any other elements you would like to see in a new playground at Kiwanis Park?
Zipline play like Kate's Place in Elmira


What style of playground do you prefer?
Combination of traditional, freestanding and natural


Is there a specific colour scheme that you prefer?
Earth tones

What elements would you like to see in a new playground at Kiwanis Park? Please order from most important to least important.
Natural rocks and log play elements, Swings, Wood or natural log table and benches, Spinning elements (ex: merry go rounds, spinning seats), Climbers/nets/monkey bars, Sensory and auditory elements (ex: chimes, drums, tactile surfaces), Slides, Sand play area, Activity panels (ex: store front, wheels, interactive text, games)


Are there any other elements you would like to see in a new playground at Kiwanis Park?
The natural logs and rocks are such awesome creative play spaces for kids! They get to create, imagine and interact with pieces of nature!! We would really love to see more nature scape here!!


What style of playground do you prefer?
Combination of traditional, freestanding and natural


Is there a specific colour scheme that you prefer?
Earth tones

We’d like to learn more about your experiences with the City of Kitchener. Think of a recent transaction or experience you had with the City.

What was the nature of your transaction?

Asked a question about a City service or event


How did we meet your expectations during this transaction?
Exceeded my expectations


What helped this transaction or experience exceed your expectations?
Was treated respectfully and had my question answered promptly.


We’ve heard from citizens that it’s important for City staff to make every effort to address your needs. What does that mean to you?
Select your top 3 answers.
Getting service in a reasonable amount of time, Dealing with knowledgeable staff, Staff taking the time to explain what will be done and why


If you completed any of these services online with the City of Kitchener in the last year, please tell us how satisfied you were with the experience. If you did not access a service online in the last year, select N/A.



Is there anything we could improve about your online experience(s)? Select all that apply.
Provide live support if I need help on the website or app


Are there any City services you’d like to be able to access online through our website or app that aren’t currently available? Select all that apply.
Buy swimming passes


Rate these processes on a scale from easy (no red tape or barriers) to frustrating (lots of red tape of barriers). If you haven’t used the service in the last year, please select N/A.



If you have experienced frustration when accessing City services and programs, please tell us your top 3 reasons why it was frustrating.
Not applicable


If it was offered, how likely would you be to do the following at the community centre in your neighbourhood?



What would be your preferred method to access and/or complete the following services?



When you have a question or want to report an issue, how would you most like to connect with us?



In the last year, have you submitted a complaint or reported a problem to the City?
No


In the last year, did you visit Kitchener City Hall to access a City service?
No


Why didn't you visit City Hall in the last year?
I have no need to go to City Hall

What elements would you like to see in a new playground at Kiwanis Park? Please order from most important to least important.
Sensory and auditory elements (ex: chimes, drums, tactile surfaces), Motion play (ex: spring toys, rockers, teeter totters), Slides, Swings, Activity panels (ex: store front, wheels, interactive text, games)


What style of playground do you prefer?
Combination of traditional, freestanding and natural


Is there a specific colour scheme that you prefer?
Earth tones

We’d like to learn more about your experiences with the City of Kitchener. Think of a recent transaction or experience you had with the City.

What was the nature of your transaction?

Other - Applied for a grant


How did we meet your expectations during this transaction?
Met my expectations


We’ve heard from citizens that it’s important for City staff to make every effort to address your needs. What does that mean to you?
Select your top 3 answers.
Getting service in a reasonable amount of time, Getting the answers you need the first time, Dealing with knowledgeable staff


If you completed any of these services online with the City of Kitchener in the last year, please tell us how satisfied you were with the experience. If you did not access a service online in the last year, select N/A.



If you selected 'Other' above, please describe here.
I have emailed several times about problems on the city's website, links not working etc. And also asked questions about when meetings start and other issues. Service has generally been good.


Is there anything we could improve about your online experience(s)? Select all that apply.
Make services easier to find on the website or app, Reduce number of steps required to complete an online service, Other - Ensure all your links work. And list all the events that are happening.


Are there any City services you’d like to be able to access online through our website or app that aren’t currently available? Select all that apply.
View City facility rental availability (rinks, community centres, City Hall rotunda), Pay for City facility rentals


Rate these processes on a scale from easy (no red tape or barriers) to frustrating (lots of red tape of barriers). If you haven’t used the service in the last year, please select N/A.



If you have experienced frustration when accessing City services and programs, please tell us your top 3 reasons why it was frustrating.
Having to visit multiple service counters or facilities to access different services, Lack of response to my questions by email


Was there a specific experience with the City that you found particularly frustrating? If so, what was it and why? Please be as specific as possible.
I've found it difficult to get answers to policy decisions. Sometimes I've had to keep emailing people for 5 or more times until it finally gets looked into.


In your experience, what processes or rules (red tape) could we change or remove to make using City services easier for you?
You should test your website by searching for typical requests and see if you actually get the results that are helpful. I find events are often not listed, even if they are at a city facility.


If it was offered, how likely would you be to do the following at the community centre in your neighbourhood?



What would be your preferred method to access and/or complete the following services?



When you have a question or want to report an issue, how would you most like to connect with us?



In the last year, have you submitted a complaint or reported a problem to the City?
Yes


How did you submit your complaint or report a problem?
Pingstreet (City of Kitchener app)


How satisfied were you with the response?
Satisfied


What could we have done to improve the response you received?
Pingstreet does not have enough categories. Often issues with the Spur Line trail and other areas have regional/city jurisdiction issues that are difficult to resolve. Every question should have a ticket # and we should be able to check the status of this ticket. When contacting staff over the phone we are sometimes given that number, and sometimes not.


In the last year, did you visit Kitchener City Hall to access a City service?
Yes


Which of the following services did you complete or access by visiting Kitchener City Hall? Select all that apply.
Visit the Office of the Mayor and Council


What could we improve about your City Hall experience(s)? Select all that apply.
Other - My city hall experience was fine. It is strange there are only topics here to complain.

We’d like to learn more about your experiences with the City of Kitchener. Think of a recent transaction or experience you had with the City.

What was the nature of your transaction?

I haven’t had a recent transaction with the City


We’ve heard from citizens that it’s important for City staff to make every effort to address your needs. What does that mean to you?
Select your top 3 answers.
Getting the answers you need the first time, Receiving confirmation that your inquiry was addressed, Staff working with you to find a creative solution when necessary


If you completed any of these services online with the City of Kitchener in the last year, please tell us how satisfied you were with the experience. If you did not access a service online in the last year, select N/A.



Is there anything we could improve about your online experience(s)? Select all that apply.
Make services easier to use on the website or app, Reduce number of steps required to complete an online service, Provide live support if I need help on the website or app


Are there any City services you’d like to be able to access online through our website or app that aren’t currently available? Select all that apply.
Pay for hourly parking, View City facility rental availability (rinks, community centres, City Hall rotunda), Pay for building permits, Access and submit all City application forms (planning, licenses)


Rate these processes on a scale from easy (no red tape or barriers) to frustrating (lots of red tape of barriers). If you haven’t used the service in the last year, please select N/A.



If you have experienced frustration when accessing City services and programs, please tell us your top 3 reasons why it was frustrating.
The services I want are not online, Not knowing who to reach/call/talk to answer my questions or inquiries


In your experience, what processes or rules (red tape) could we change or remove to make using City services easier for you?
More information and services online


If it was offered, how likely would you be to do the following at the community centre in your neighbourhood?



What would be your preferred method to access and/or complete the following services?



When you have a question or want to report an issue, how would you most like to connect with us?



In the last year, have you submitted a complaint or reported a problem to the City?
No


In the last year, did you visit Kitchener City Hall to access a City service?
No


Why didn't you visit City Hall in the last year?
Inconvenient to come downtown