HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-2025-048 - Parks/Noise/Fireworks Exemption - Tecumseh Park - August 23, 2025Community Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 17, 2025
SUBMITTED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director of Enforcement, 519-783-8516
PREPARED BY: Gloria MacNeil, Director of Enforcement, 519-783-8516
David Heuchert, Chief Fire Prevention Officer, 519-783-8707
Jeff Silcox-Childs, Director of Parks and Cemeteries, 519-783-8877
DATE OF REPORT: March 4, 2025
REPORT NO.: CSD-2025-048
SUBJECT: Parks/Noise/Fireworks Exemption Tecumseh Park August 23, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
That an exemption to Chapters 270 (Parks), 450 (Noise), 739 (Fireworks and Firecrackers)
of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to Jennifer Emrich for a fireworks
display in Tecumseh Park that will form part of a wedding reception taking place in their
backyard on August 23, 2025 between 9:30pm and 10pm.
This exemption is subject to the following conditions, which, if not complied with will
render the exemption null and void;
a) A fireworks permit will be applied for and obtained by an approved Pyrotechnician
or Fireworks Supervisor through Kitchener Fire Department.
b) The approved fireworks company will provide a certificate of insurance.
c) Weather conditions must be safe and conducive for a fireworks display, in the
event of high winds or a fire ban, a display will not be permitted.
d) The event organizers will ensure there is an on-site contact person accessible to
correspond with City staff at all times during the event and agree to respond
accordingly.
e) The residents will circulate a letter to the surrounding neighbours advising them
of the backyard wedding reception and fireworks display.
f) The residents will ensure Tecumseh Park and the surrounding neighborhood is
inspected the following day for any fallen debris which shall be removed and
disposed of appropriately.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
Residents of Tecumseh Crescent will be hosting a backyard wedding on August 23, 2025,
they are requesting to set off a fireworks display in Tecumseh Park at the end of the
reception which will take place between 9:30pm and 10pm (once it becomes dark).
Residents will be retaining FiredUp Pyrotechnics Inc. who are a licensed and reputable
Fireworks Vendor, it is estimated the fireworks display will last between 5-7 minutes in
duration.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
The Fireworks company will obtain a permit to set off fireworks (issued through Kitchener
Fire Prevention), a permit to cross parkland and will also provide a certificate of insurance.
BACKGROUND:
Residents of Tecumseh Crescent will be hosting a backyard wedding for their daughter on
August 23, 2025. The couple are huge Disney fans and were engaged at Disney with fireworks
and are hoping to have a professional, insured company who specializes in fireworks displays,
provide a small 5-7 min show at the end of their wedding celebration.
REPORT:
The wedding celebration will be hosted at a private residence and will take place on private
property until approximately 10pm. The residents are requesting an exemption to the Parks,
Noise and Fireworks bylaws in the hopes of hosting a fireworks display once it gets dark, to
finish the celebration.
The residents will be retaining FiredUp Pyrotechnics Inc. who are a Canadian Company located
in Niagara, Ontario and who are trained professionals specializing in firework displays for special
occasions and celebrations such as weddings. FiredUp will be required to apply for a fireworks
display permit through Kitchener Fire Department, a permit to cross parkland through Parks, and
will have to provide a certificate of insurance. In addition, FiredUp will be required to provide an
event plan, a safety plan to ensure they are able to meet the requirements of the Fireworks
Bylaw which requires a minimum 10 metre setback from any trees, structures, equipment,
homes, etc. Staff will also indicate on the approval that FiredUp will be required to ensure any
garbage resulting from the fireworks display is cleaned up and removed and cannot be left
behind or placed into the City garbage receptacles located within Tecumseh Park. The residents
will also be responsible for the costs to repair any damages to park infrastructure.
In the event the City of Kitchener is under a fire ban on the date of the reception, or if other
weather conditions are present which may impact the safety of a fireworks display, this
exemption will be considered null/void.
FiredUp Pyrotechnics Inc. will block off access to the park approximately an hour or so before
the fireworks display, no one will be permitted in the area of the park that has been closed off
with caution tape and FiredUp will have three to four team members at the event to assist with
ensuring safety. A trailer will be brought into the park which will contain the fireworks, the
fireworks will be set up on plywood sheets which will be placed on the ground about 30-40
minutes before it gets dark. The fireworks display will be set off by a professional pyrotechnician
and will last approximately 5-7 minutes. Guests attending the reception will remain on private
property during the fireworks display and only the pyrotechnician and associated staff of FiredUp
will be within Tecumseh Park.
The residents will be required to circulate a letter to the surrounding neighbourhood who will be
affected by the fireworks display outlining all of the applicable information including the date,
location, time, duration of the fireworks and a brief explanation of what is happening which will
provide residents with information as to what is happening, but will also allow ample opportunity
for residents to make alternative arrangements if they do not want to be impacted by the
noise/fireworks.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:None
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The event organizer is responsible for ensuring that this event is communicated throughout the
community in advance of the event.
APPROVED BY: Michael May, DCAO