York Region population steadily increases as development continues to drive growth
Friday, April 28, 2023
“Many of York Region’s employment sectors are recovering well after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said City of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola, Chair of the Region’s Planning and Economic Development. “Continued development in all areas strengthens the Region’s economic vitality by retaining and growing businesses and top talent showcasing our diverse and vibrant economy.”
YORK REGION LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUED PROGRESS ON THE YONGE NORTH SUBWAY EXTENSION
April 27, 2023
Today, on behalf of The Regional Municipality of York and York Regional Council, I commend the province in taking another positive step forward to further advance the work of the Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE) through the release of a Request for Qualification. Read More
ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS CONTINUE IN RICHMOND HILL
Apr 26, 2023 – City of Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill – The City of Richmond Hill continues to demonstrate its commitment to becoming a more sustainable and resilient community – one that values the environment and takes action to protect it.
Since receiving approval last July, Richmond Hill’s updated Environment Strategy has continued to build upon the City and community’s legacy of environmental stewardship and improvement. A report to Council outlined 2022 environmental achievements. Select accomplishments include:
- Energy efficiency upgrades at City facilities including installation of low-emissivity ceilings and over-the-ice LED lighting at Tom Graham and Ed Sackfield Arenas
- A Windfall Centre Sustainability Award for reducing energy use intensity by 6% and GHG emissions intensity by 11% from 2020 to 2021 at the City’s Operations Centre
- Replacement of the Bayview Hill Pool filtration system, which will reduce water consumption and operational costs
- Growth of our tree canopy with 11,245 trees and shrubs planted – 9,855 on City property by 1,350 volunteers through our Community Stewardship Program and 1,390 by residents on private property through our Healthy Yards Program
- Implementation of a Corporate Single-Use Plastics Reduction Policy and related educational resources for staff and vendors at City facilities and events
- Release of our updated Sustainability Metrics Program, an important way we encourage and evaluate the sustainability and resiliency of new developments
- Council approval of an updated Parks Plan, which aims to use parks to connect communities and include environmentally-friendly and climate resilient features such as more native plants, trees, pollinator and rain gardens
- Litter clean-up in 70 parks and trails and 105 streets during the Clean Up, Green Up event thanks to more than 9,000 community volunteers
- Completion of a number of important stormwater management and valleyland enhancement projects that help prevent flooding, erosion and improve water quality
For more information about Richmond Hill’s environmental programs, achievements and how to get involved, visit RichmondHill.ca/Greening.
Strategic Plan
Have your say on Richmond Hill’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.
Register for updates, including opportunities to participate this Spring. Make sure your voice is heard!
Visit Richmondhill.ca/StrategicPlan for more information and to sign up.
Richmond hill’s cultural Summit RETURNS aPRIL 26!
RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill’s Cultural Summit is back April 26 from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. This free, fun-filled night of music, dance and art is a great opportunity for artists, creative industry professionals, cultural organizations, students, volunteers and anyone else who loves culture to come together, network and learn more about arts in our community.
The evening’s lineup includes a presentation of the Richmond Hill Arts Awards along with performances by local artists:
- Bernard Fan: A Richmond Hill grade six student who is a violin soloist under the tutelage of Dr. Conrad Chow
- Classical Persian Trio: A group of musicians performing Persian classical songs on folklore musical instruments
- Dance Together Project: Performances of a Ukrainian folk dance solo, AfroCuban dance solo and a waltz quartet
- Vicki Lovelee: A Chinese Canadian alt-pop singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Anishinaabe Grandmother Kim Wheatley, who is Ojibway, Potawatomi and Caribbean in ancestry, will open the night’s festivities with a traditional welcome.
Limited tickets available. For more information, visit RichmondHill.ca/CulturalSummit.
RICHMOND HILL HONOURS OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Achievement Awards celebrate contributions to the community
RICHMOND HILL – For 57 years, the City of Richmond Hill has recognized hundreds of individual volunteers, organizations and groups who make our community the vibrant place it is today. Tonight, the City’s Mayor and Members of Council are recognizing the outstanding contributions of these volunteers at the Volunteer Achievement Awards.
Held every other year during National Volunteer Week, award recipients are honoured for their dedication and service, and the meaningful difference they make in the lives of Richmond Hill residents.
This year’s event is being held at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and is by invitation only. For more information and a complete list of awards and certificates, visit RichmondHill.ca/VolunteerAwards.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY AT THE SPRING GREENING FAIR APRIL 23
Test drive an electric vehicle, learn about innovative eco-projects
RICHMOND HILL – Everyone is invited to celebrate Earth Day with us at the Spring Greening Fair on Sunday, April 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. The ‘Climate Readiness’ themed event aims to inspire citizens to live more sustainably by showcasing important green technologies, as well as City and community-led environmental initiatives.
Participants will have the chance to:
• Test drive an electric vehicle courtesy of Plug ‘n Drive
• Talk to experts about sustainable home energy options and incentives
• View solar panel and heat pump displays
• Learn about City plans and programs for building a more sustainable and climate-resilient community
• Hear from community members about interesting and innovative eco-projects
• Win a door prize!
For more information and to register, visit RichmondHill.ca/GreeningFair.
Report sick or dead wild birds
Like many other areas across Canada, York Region municipalities including Richmond Hill are seeing cases of wild birds that have died or are infected with presumed avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu. If you come across sick or dead geese, ducks or other wild birds in Richmond Hill, please do not touch them. Report them to our animal services provider, Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca and they will respond. For more information, see the ‘What to do if you find a sick or dead bird‘ section below.
York Region continues to show growth as development activity increases
“We are working together to understand the implications of Bill 23 and how they will impact important Regional Council priorities. We will continue to focus on the growth and development in the Region by using new innovative ways to simplify the application process and focus on the critical issue of housing affordability.” By City of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola, Chair of the Region’s Planning and Economic Development.
York Region Transit
York Region Transit (YRT) service changes will take effect on Sunday, April 30, 2023.
Schedule and route adjustments will be made to various routes to match customer demand, including:
- Major Mackenzie West Terminal will fully open to the public, including the enclosed waiting area and access to the hospital; for more information visit yrt.ca/MMWTerminal
- Route 21 – Vellore returns to service the Vellore community. Mobility On-Request (MOR) Vellore Local will be replaced by Route 21
- Route 33A – Wellington will be replaced by MOR Aurora and Oak Ridges to better match service with ridership demand
- Route 82 – Valleymede will no longer service Richmond Hill GO Station due to low demand; alternatively, passengers may transfer to Route 4 or 25 – Major Mackenzie
- Route 522 – Markham Local will start and end service at Cornell Bus Terminal instead of Markham-Stouffville Hospital
- Route 720 – Hwy 407 Terminal / Wonderland will return, providing limited-stop service between Highway 407 Terminal and Major Mackenzie West Terminal
- Route 760 – Vaughan Mills / Wonderland service to Major Mackenzie West Terminal returns
- Schedule adjustments to improve high school bell time connections
- For more information visit yrt.ca/ServiceChanges
Travellers will be informed of all service changes through notices posted at bus stops (attached), on-bus, terminal and vivastation announcements, municipal newspaper advertisements, media advisory, the YRT Contact Centre, on yrt.ca and social media.
Public consultation for the 2024 Transit Initiatives begins Monday, May 1, 2023.
From May 1 to 31, 2023, YRT will be hosting a virtual public consultation on yrt.ca/TransitPlan, seeking input from travellers on the Draft 2024 Transit Initiatives. The public consultation will be promoted on yrt.ca, social media and through digital advertisements. Notices will also be posted at transit terminals, and announcements will be made throughout the YRT system. In-person outreach at select terminals and venues in each municipality will also occur throughout the month. Locations and times will be made available online.
Richmond Hill initiatives and increasing sustainability awareness
Greening Fair
Help mark Earth Day by attending our Spring Greening Fair!
- DATE: Sunday April 23, 2023
- TIME: 1 – 4 p.m.
- LOCATION: Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge Street
Overnight road closures, Stouffville Road, Richmond Hill – Endangered species migration
Location:
- There will be intermittent closures of Stouffville Road, between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street, Tuesday, April 11, 2023, to Sunday, April 30, 2023.
Dates and Times:
- Stouffville Road, between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street, will be closed during the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Only during rain events.
Impacts to Travellers:
- Only local traffic permitted between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street
- Only emergency vehicles will have access for the road section Bridgewater Drive to Trailwood Crescent
- Access to homes, businesses and emergency services will be maintained
The purpose of the road closures is to protect Jefferson Salamanders, an endangered species. This may be one of the last known populations of Jefferson Salamanders in York Region and we continue to work in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to help ensure their survival. The salamanders cross Stouffville Road from their winter habitat to travel to their summer breeding grounds.
Related Articles:
Saving the salamanders: Spring road closures help these critters migrate | CBC News
Free Lake Wilcox Parking Permits for Residents Now Available
Pay Parking Takes Effect April 1 for the Park and Oak Ridges Community Centre
Pay parking at Lake Wilcox Park is in effect from April 1 to September 30 each year. Free parking permits for Richmond Hill residents are currently available through the Parking and By-law Portal. Click on “Obtain a Parking Permit” and create an account or enter your existing login information.
Free resident permits are linked to a license plate number and residents can obtain one permit per household online. If a Richmond Hill household requires more than one free permit for the Lake Wilcox Park parking lots or have previously registered a vehicle plate and require assistance, please contact Parking at 905-771-8860 from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email parking@richmondhill.ca. A valid reason for requiring more than one permit is required (i.e., a second permit will be issued for accessibility reasons, for Oak Ridges Community Centre users or if there are tenant/property owner arrangements at a particular address). Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Clean Up Green Up Weeks
You can help give Richmond Hill a spring cleaning during Clean Up, Green Up Weeks!
From April 21 to May 5, residents, businesses, community groups and schools are encouraged to come together to help pick up litter that has accumulated over the winter months in parks, trails, on boulevards and in open spaces.
The City will provide registered groups with gloves, garbage and recycling bags, and arrange for collection of the filled bags.
YORK REGION
YR Rapid Transit Corporation Meeting (VIRTUAL)
Thursday, April 06, 2023 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
YR Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thursday, April 13, 2023 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Agriculture & Agri-Food Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 4:00 p.m.
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 4:00 p.m.
YR Regional Council
Thursday, April 27, 2023 9:00 a.m.
AGENDAS, MINUTES AND REPORTS
Council Public Meeting
CITY OF RICHMOND HILL
Affordable Housing Strategy Implementation Committee
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Heritage Richmond Hill
Thursday, April 13, 2023 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Thursday, April 20, 2023 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Council Meetings, Agendas and Minutes
PUBLIC MEETING INVITATION
Past Metrolinx Engagement in Richmond Hill
Metrolinx continues to engage with communities along the alignment of the future Yonge North Subway Extension and the following pop-up events are currently scheduled in Richmond Hill.
| Tuesday April 4 | 10:00am-12:00pm | Langstaff Community Centre |