The Creek Collective

CHANNEL MIGRATION



CHANNEL MIGRATION is a full 13-station audiowalk along Schneider Creek, from Downtown Kitchener to Doon, where the Creek joins the Grand River.

The 14km walk takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete, not including rest stops. More details are available back on the project page, including a map of the route.

Please take care to watch for traffic, especially while wearing headphones. We recommend traveling in groups of at least two or more, conversing together between the short listening stations.

Station 1DownloadBegin at the gazebo in Willow River/Victoria Park, walking south along the lake, over the tunneled Creek across David and Queen. 
Station 2DownloadFollow the Creek through Mike Wagner Green along the Iron Horse Trail.

Station 3DownloadCross Stirling/Courtland and follow the Creek south along the Iron Horse Trail.
Station 4DownloadCross Kent Ave. and watch for Shoemaker Creek. Follow the Iron Horse Trail to Ottawa, crossing at Nyberg St.
Station 5DownloadTurn right on Sydney and left on Bedford, follow the Creek along the golf course fencing down Courtland. 
Station 6DownloadPass under the Expressway, crossing Overland. The Creek cuts SW but continue following Courtland Ave. At the top of the hill, turn right on Hayward.
Station 7DownloadAfter turning on Hayward, meet the Creek again at the Peter Hallman Ballyard. Follow the path along Lennox Lewis Way and then under Block Line Rd. bridge. Climb footpath up hill to stormwater pond and loop up and over the Creek on Block Line Rd. At Block Line LRT Station/Courtland, turn right 

Accessbility note: Avoid the hill path by staying on Lennox Lewis Way, crossing the street to continue on sidewalk past St. Mary’s HS to Bock Line Rd. Turn left to follow Block Line to Courtland then turn right.
Rest stop - Tim Horton’s (1144 Courtland Ave E) 11~11:30am

Station 8     DownloadCross Shelly Dr. and follow pedestrian bridge and sidewalk up Courtland Ave. to the intersection at Fairway/Manitou. (The Creek is hidden from view below Balzer Rd.)
Station 9     DownloadWalk down Manitou and find the Creek again at the bridge in the historic village of German Mills. Continue past traffic circle at Bleam’s Road.
Station 10   DownloadTurn left off Manitou onto Wabanaki, walking on grass to the bridge. Cross Wabanaki at the Trailhead to Homer Watson Park and follow the Creek and path to Wilson Ave, turning right.

Accessibilty note: This 50m section, unfortunately, has no sidewalk between Manitou and the bridge on Wabanaki. The grass is flat and can likely be traversed with a motorized wheelchair.
Lunch stop - Homer Watson Park - aerial performance ~12:30pm
Station 11DownloadAfter following Wilson and the trail through Homer Watson Parik, turn right at Huron Rd. Meet the Creek again at the bottom of the hill, crossing Huron to follow the footpath.
Station 12    DownloadContinue walking along footpath, following the Creek under Homer Watson Bridge, through Upper Canada Park, crossing Pioneer Dr. and into Doon Village Green.
Optional rest stop - Tim Horton’s (123 Pioneer Dr.)

Station 13DownloadTurn left on Doon Village Rd. and another left on the trail at Doon S. Dr., following the path under Homer Watson Blvd. Pick up the Walter Bean Grand River Trail (Marguerite Ormston Trailway) through Willow Lake Park to Old Mill Rd. Cross the bridge and follow the trail along the mouth of the creek to the Grand River, The Willow River, O:se Kenhionatat:tie 

Return:


  • GRT – Route 10 (Doon, Mill Park Dr. to Fairway Rd.)
  • GRT – Route 16 (Conestoga College, Homer Watson Blvd, to Waterloo Public Square)
  • Taxi – City Cabs (519-747-7777), United Taxi (519-888-9999), or rideshare service
  • Car –  leave a vehicle in advance along Old Mill Rd. or in parking lot at Marguerite Ormston Trailway)

Acknowledgements:


We are indebted to several incisive readers of the narrative text for their commentary and perspectives and for their ear for enhancing the language: Diego Báez, Joseph Brannan, Terre Chartrand, Jannie Edwards, Lisa O’Connell, and Derek Salinas-Lazarski. 

Of course, all errors and inadequacies are our own. 

~ Sydney Lancaster and Geoff Martin


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