July 2023

Region of Waterloo connects Grand River Transit’s light rail line to famous apple fritters with Market Trail

This Case Study is based on an article that appeared in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of OPPI’s Y Magazine. Read the full article online.
You can read full issues of Y Magazine anytime online.

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Have you heard about the new Market Trail in Waterloo? It’s a 1.5 km multiuse all-season pathway that connects light rail transit directly to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market and key employment areas. 

How does the new trail benefit the community? The new Market Trail helps workers, residents, and visitors in surrounding areas access the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. Also, the Trail will mitigate traffic and parking demands on market days while supporting local businesses, tourism, and access to local foods.  

This is only the first stage of a “Rail with Trail” project that provides residents with more ways to travel across the Region of Waterloo and access Grand River Transit (GRT).  

The second stage of the Market Trail is also in progress and will connect this first stage to the City of Waterloo’s multi use path network. Soon, Trail users will be able to travel from Downtown Kitchener and Uptown Waterloo to the Village of St. Jacobs and beyond along a dedicated off-road active transportation corridor with multiple connections to bus and light rail.  

The Trail supports the Region of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan’s priorities of growing the economy, offering more environmentally sustainable travel options, and improving connections between urban and rural communities. Also, the Trail received unanimous support from the community members who participated in the public consultation programs.  

The Market Trail in Waterloo only showcases one of many positive examples of the community work of Registered Professional Planners (RPPs). They play a crucial role in listening to the current and future needs of communities and collaborating with other stakeholders to deliver solutions like the Market Trail that target larger societal goals. 

If you have further questions about this project, please reach out to Pre-Candidate OPPI Member, Kevan Marshall, for more information. Marshall is the principal planner with the Region of Waterloo’s Transportation Demand Management and Transit Integration programs.