City Council has approved a new weekend pedestrian zone pilot on Water Street to help downtown businesses and create more space for community events this summer. The program will run from May 31 to August 31, 2025, on Saturdays and Sundays.
During the pilot, Water Street will close to vehicles between Mercer and Albert Streets from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The city will work with the Downtown BIA and local merchants to set up outdoor patios, a weekend market, and performance stages. The goal is to give people a safe place to walk, shop, and enjoy the downtown core without traffic.
“This pilot is a chance to test how we can make Water Street more welcoming for everyone,” says Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price. “We want to see how a car-free weekend helps local businesses and gives our neighbours a reason to visit the downtown core.”
If you live or work along Water Street, you should plan ahead. Vehicle access will be limited on weekends, but residents with permits and emergency vehicles will still be able to enter the zone. Detours will be in place on parallel streets. Please follow the posted signs, allow extra time for your trips, and consider using Wrenford Transit or walking. You can also use Wrenford 311 to ask questions about parking and access.
The city will track how the pilot affects traffic, local business sales, and foot traffic. Staff will share a report with Council in September to decide if the program should continue. For updates on road closures, detours, and seasonal changes, visit Service Alerts. To learn more about how the city supports downtown merchants, see Downtown BIA.