April Awareness Months 2024 delve into genocide education and support, honor veterans with spinal cord injuries, celebrate Scottish-American heritage, and recognize Arab American contributions while combating bigotry.
Good News: Project Blaze Returns！
Richmond Hill News
Richmond Hill Welcomes United Nations University: A Hub for Global Environmental Solutions
April 26, 2024
Richmond Hill proudly welcomes the United Nations University to its community, with the inauguration of the Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) headquarters at City Hall. This renowned UN institution, dedicated to addressing global sustainability challenges, chose Richmond Hill for its commitment to sustainability, skilled workforce, and innovative partnerships.
The new headquarters will collaborate globally on water, environment, and health policies, fostering partnerships with academia, technology providers, and startups. Richmond Hill aims to leverage this collaboration to promote environmental awareness and innovation, positioning the city as a sustainability role model.
Quick Facts:
- Richmond Hill hosts over 4,500 companies and offers access to leading professional services and educational institutions.
- The city leads in environmental management with progressive strategies to combat climate change.
- Richmond Hill is part of Canada’s largest technology cluster and excels in key business sectors.
Quick Facts about UNU-INWEH:
- UNU-INWEH addresses pressing global water, environmental, and health issues, particularly in the Global South.
- It collaborates with UN member states and Canadian partners to advance research and policy outreach.
- Known as the UN Think Tank on Water, UNU-INWEH has been a leader in global water security since its establishment in 1996.
- In 2023, Professor Kaveh Madani, a renowned environmental scientist, was appointed as the Director of UNU-INWEH, furthering its global impact.
Richmond Hill’s Environmental Triumphs in 2023
Apr 25, 2024
Richmond Hill is dedicated to a greener future! In 2023, we made strides in environmental stewardship:
- Planted over 11,000 trees and shrubs, enhancing our green canopy
- Launched a Transportation Master Plan for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
- Introduced two new community gardens for sustainable food growth
- Expanded recreational trails at David Dunlap Observatory Park
- Earned recognition as a Bird Friendly City and organized a Bird Team for public awareness
- Engaged 12,000 volunteers in park and street clean-ups
- Implemented energy-saving measures in City facilities
Join us in our efforts! Learn more at RichmondHill.ca/Greening.
Join Us for Earth Month in Richmond Hill: Family-Friendly Eco Activities Await!
Join us in celebrating Earth Month in Richmond Hill! Discover a range of family-friendly, eco-themed activities:
- April 11: Free Creating Bird Habitat Webinar
- April 17: Maximize Your Healthy Yard Gardening Workshop (free)
- April 19: Trees & Wildlife Workshop (free)
- April 19 to May 3: Clean up, Green Up Weeks (free)
- April 21: Earth Day Film & Family Fun (free)
- April 22 to May 20: Healthy Yards Plant & Garden Sale
For more details and registration, visit RichmondHill.ca/EarthMonth. Let’s make a difference together!
Richmond Hill’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan Unveiled
Richmond Hill has launched its new Strategic Plan, outlining key priorities for the city’s growth and inclusivity. The plan focuses on three pillars:
- Growing a Livable, Sustainable Community: Managing growth, enhancing transportation, and promoting green spaces.
- Focusing on People: Supporting community engagement, inclusivity, and reconciliation efforts.
- Strengthening our Foundations: Prioritizing customer service, innovation, and financial sustainability.
Regular progress updates will be provided, with the full plan available at RichmondHill.ca/StrategicPlan.
Share Your Thoughts on Richmond Hill’s Festivals and Events!
Join the conversation on Richmond Hill’s festivals and events! Share your thoughts in a quick survey for a chance to win a $75 Visa gift card. Your input will shape the future of our city’s vibrant community gatherings. Take the survey at RichmondHill.ca/EventServices by April 23, 2024. Let’s create memorable experiences together!
Upgrading Humber Flats Stormwater Management Facility – Public Review 🌊🏡
Mar 25, 2024
Richmond Hill has finished studying how to upgrade Humber Flats Stormwater Management Facility, reducing flood risks for nearby homes. Here’s the plan:
- Replace old culvert under Humberland Drive with 3 new, wider ones.
- Clean and expand the wet pond for better stormwater treatment.
- Some regrading to retire old filter pads.
Detailed design starts in 2025. Public review of findings and recommendations is open until April 26, 2024, on RichmondHill.ca/HumberFlatsEA. Check it out and share your thoughts! 🌊🏡
Get Your Free 2024 Lake Wilcox Parking Pass!
Starting April 1st, pay parking begins at Lake Wilcox Park until September 30th. Don’t miss out on your chance for a free 2024 parking permit for the park and Oak Ridges Community Centre. Last year’s permits have expired, so make sure to grab your new one at Parking.RichmondHill.ca to avoid a parking ticket.
For non-residents and those without permits, parking fees apply. Rates are $4 per hour at the Oak Ridges Community Centre, skate park, and north gravel lots, and $7 per hour at the main parking lot near the Lake Wilcox splash pad.
Lake Wilcox Park, a premier destination in Richmond Hill, offers stunning waterfront views and family-friendly amenities. Pay parking ensures visitors from outside the city contribute to park upkeep.
To ease traffic, consider carpooling during spring and summer. Weekend parking on nearby streets is restricted to residents and their guests with permits. Permit parking is also enforced seven days a week on certain streets.
For more info and to get your free permit, visit RichmondHill.ca/Parking or contact the Parking team at 905-771-8860 or Parking@RichmondHill.ca. Let’s keep Lake Wilcox Park accessible for everyone!
Revitalizing Richmond Hill’s Iconic Mill Pond Park: A Sustainable Transformation
Richmond Hill’s Mill Pond Park set for a vibrant transformation! Council greenlights sustainable upgrades, including new trails, amenities, and ecological enhancements. Highlights include a boardwalk, pedestrian bridge, meadow area, and improved facilities. Stay updated at RichmondHill.ca/MillPondProject.
Join us in giving Richmond Hill a spring cleaning!
We’re thrilled to invite all members of our community to participate in Clean Up, Green Up Weeks from April 19 to May 3. It’s an opportunity for us to come together and protect our natural environment by volunteering to tidy up our neighborhoods.
Residents, businesses, community groups, and schools are encouraged to join hands during this period to help clear away litter that has accumulated over the winter in parks, trails, boulevards, and other public spaces.
When you register your group, we’ll provide you with gloves, garbage and recycling bags, and ensure the collection of filled bags. Let’s work together to surpass last year’s achievements, where 12,000 volunteers cleaned up 145 streets and pathways, along with over 100 parks and natural areas in our community!
Let’s make 2024 another landmark year for our community by keeping Richmond Hill safe and clean for everyone. Register online at RichmondHill.ca/CleanUpWeeks before Sunday, April 7.
For more information, visit RichmondHill.ca/CleanUpWeeks. Together, let’s make a difference!
York Region News
Highway 404 Road Crossing Improvement: Construction Notice
Apr 22, 2024
Highway 404 Road Crossing Improvement Project in Markham and Richmond Hill. Expect lane closures and night work until fall 2024. Orlando Avenue, Markland Street, and Cachet Woods will undergo widening and extension. Traffic shifts and lane closures will occur. Noise and disruptions may happen. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained. Weather may affect scheduling.
For more information, please visit Highway 404 Road Crossing Improvement Project | York Region.
King Road from Yonge Street to Bond Crescent in the City of Richmond Hill
Navigating Forward Together: Supporting Seniors in York Region
Apr 2, 2024
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
York Regional Council just approved the 2024-2027 York Region Plan to Support Seniors: Navigating Forward Together. This plan builds on the success of our 2016 Seniors Strategy and outlines new actions to enhance the health and well-being of our diverse aging population.
Our focus areas:
- Keeping seniors healthier, longer
- Supporting seniors in age-friendly communities
- Connecting seniors to the right programs and services
- Improving coordination and planning services
Join us in ensuring seniors can age in the right place, with the right support. Visit york.ca/PlanForSeniors for more details! 🌟 #SupportingSeniors #NavigatingForward
Join the Centennial Celebration of York Regional Forest!
Celebrating 100 Years of York Regional Forest! Join us in a year-long festivity with free activities like exhibits, a photo contest, guided walks, and Family Day events. Embrace nature’s beauty and our commitment to conservation. Learn more at https://www.york.ca/newsroom/campaigns-projects/celebrating-100-years-york-regional-forest.
Provincial Regulatory Updates
Apr 24, 2024
Open for Comment
- The Ministry of Energy proposed regulations under the Ontario Energy Board Act to support building homes and transit faster by prescribing conditions for fast-tracking approval of certain small energy infrastructure projects. For more information on the proposal and to participate in the consultation process, please visit the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Public review will end on May 17, 2024.