From the Desk of Mayor David West
June E-Newsletter 2023
Dear Neighbours,
Summer has started with a bang and as I write this, we are in our first heat wave of the season. Luckily, there are lots of ways to cool off in Richmond Hill, from our splash pads, to our cooling centre facilities including designated community centres. Please remember to check in on those who may be struggling in this heat.
In this edition, there are links and reminders about some of the upcoming events planned in Richmond Hill. If you find yourself in town this summer, join in some of the many community events planned. Meeting neighbours and sharing stories is a critical part of building our inclusive Richmond Hill.
As you look ahead to July, mark your calendar for our award-winning Canada Day celebrations on July 1st from 2-11 p.m. This is a terrific opportunity to celebrate our City, our country and with a full day of live entertainment and programming planned at Richmond Green Park, it will truly be a day for the whole community. Remember to watch for the ongoing RH150 celebrations as they will be in full swing throughout the summer months.
Please share this e-newsletter with anyone you know who would like to receive this mailing and encourage them to sign up to receive the e-newsletter in their inbox.
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
Major Announcements in Richmond Hill
It was a pleasure emceeing the Greener Affordable Housing federal program announcement alongside the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion of Canada, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen and Richmond Hill MP Majid Jowhari. This program will invest $1.2 billion to retrofit and modernize multi-unit residential buildings making them more efficient and affordable. Effective June 1st, the application process opens and I encourage housing providers to explore this opportunity.
Also, in May I had the great pleasure of joining our local Richmond Hill MP Majid Jowhari and Members of Council to announce a $209,560 federal investment for the Richmond Hill David Dunlop Observatory (RHDDO) Park under the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. The RHDDO is a treasured historic site that is being expanded to be an inclusive, accessible, open park for all residents to enjoy. This summer check out the many events around the DDO such as the In Time event on June 24th – register soon as there are limited spaces.
What's On in Richmond Hill
We are proud to proclaim June Seniors Month in Richmond Hill and we look forward to celebrating with special events and activities for our 55+ residents throughout the month. Here is full list of activities and more.
Richmond Hill Blooms nominations open today and a reminder that this year all nominated gardens will receive a yard sign to proudly display as we celebrate the beautiful front gardens in Richmond Hill. Richmond Hill Blooms is a partnership between the City of Richmond Hill and the Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society (RHGHS). Visit richmondhillgardensociety.org to learn more about the RHGHS and how you can become a member.
The City of Richmond Hill continues to seek your input and involvement in shaping our Official Plan. Please visit the OP Update webpage, as well as the City’s Public Notice and Calendar pages, and plan to join the upcoming in-person Open House on June 7, 2023, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the McConaghy Centre. This Open House will also include information regarding the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law update.
Summer weather means outdoor concert season is here. Here is the full schedule of “Concerts in the Park” happening Thursday’s at the Mill Pond Park from 7-9 p.m. through July and August as well as the dates for “Live in the Plaza” and “Open Mic” at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, respectively. See you there!
This great weather isn’t just for us, our four legged friends want to enjoy it too. Did you know that Richmond Hill has two off leash dog areas where your dog can run around safely, meet new friends and enjoy the outdoors? Our first off leash area opened in 2009 at Tower Hill and the second in 2012 at Phyllis Rawlinson Park.
June Dates
June is a month filled with dates that celebrate our diversity. Canada acknowledges both National Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day in June. We also recognizeItalian Heritage Month, Filipino Heritage Month and Portuguese Heritage Month
The Launch of Pride Season is a time to celebrate love in our inclusive community. Did you know that York Region has an Inclusive Language Guide which speaks to the use of inclusive language in our everyday lives? The City of Richmond Hill is proud to proclaim Pride Month and I look forward to joining the York Region Pride Parade on June 17th.
On June 21 we will recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on the Summer Solstice. Join Odeiwin Connect June 25 at the Central Library grounds for an afternoon of cultural presentations, foods, arts, and community building.
Let’s continue to SHOW our diversity, our equity, and
our inclusive attitudes through actions.
#InclusiveRH
Council News
This week we were invited to Queens Park by Richmond Hill MPP Daisy Wai, where we met with many of our Provincial politicians. I was grateful for the invitation and the warm welcome as well as the opportunity to speak with both Premier Ford and Minister Clark about topics of great importance to Richmond Hill and to Ontario municipalities alike.
Council Approves 2023-2027 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
In May, Richmond Hill City Council approved a multi-year accessibility plan, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to being an accessible, inclusive community for everyone. The 2023-2027 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines the City’s strategy to identify, prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities and meet accessibility standards in consultation with the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. The citizen Accessibility Advisory Committee meets regularly to guide our accessibility work and comment on City projects, policies and procedures, as it relates to accessibility. For all the details, visit RichmondHill.ca/Accessibility.
“The work of accessibility is never truly done and requires an ongoing commitment. We have been committed to accessibility for many years with the City’s first accessibility plan having been introduced in 2013. This newest five-year plan builds on the work and accomplishments of the last 10 years, and continues to guide us in all of the services we provide to the community.” – Mayor David West
I attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference in Toronto May 25-28th, where I was able to represent Richmond Hill on the national stage. It was a pleasure to share what makes me proud of Richmond Hill and an equal pleasure hearing about what makes other communities great. We have much to learn from each other. I believe working together collaboratively has never been more important both in York Region and across Canada as a whole.
During the conference, we heard that Municipal Government is likely the most effective level of government and certainly where the ‘rubber meets the road’ in our society. It is vitally important that cities like Richmond Hill have the tools, resources and jurisdiction to meet our residents’ expectations and make our cities and towns strong and great!
Thanks to the many Mayors and Council Members who I had the honour to speak to from Gander to Vancouver to Dawson City, Saskatoon, and Gatineau, and many communities in between. It was an energizing and inspiring week and I look forward to applying this learning and energy to our city.
Watch Council Meetings Live or Watch the Recording
We continue to offer the opportunity for residents to attend Council meetings in person, to watch live, or to watch a recording.
Project Blaze is Back!
Pollinators in Richmond Hill
In June, Richmond Hill celebrates Pollinator Week and our commitment to creating an environment that is friendly and supportive of these important animals.
There are two webinars scheduled to share tips and hints on building a Pollinator Garden and both LEAF and the TRCA offer educational opportunities to learn about the native plants and trees that we can add to our yards which will in turn, support the important pollinator habitat.
Expect the Unexpected:
Richmond Hill Public Library Launches New Brand and Website
Did you know our Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL) has a new look and logo? To embrace the evolving role of libraries, RHPL has launched a new brand identity and website that’s based on the current and future needs of our community.
The new brand, which consists of a redesigned logo and playful colours, symbolizes a promise to the Richmond Hill community while paying homage to the City’s rich history. It’s crafted from the motifs of the flower and a person: the flower represents the natural flora of the lands (magnolia, oak trees, primrose, lilies); and the person represents the diverse community the library serves. At the center of it all is Richmond Hill Public Library: a hub for our community.
You are invited to experience the unexpected with your library. This includes free passes for museums, art galleries and other attractions; cooking classes, graffiti workshops, and so much more. Visit online or stop by one of RHPL’s four branches to enjoy affordable programs, services and lendable items for all ages and stages of life.
Community Events
June is such a busy and exciting month in Richmond Hill. There are multiple activities every day of the week and instead of trying to capture them all here, I encourage you to visit the calendars of OnRichmondHill, the City of Richmond Hill, and York Region as well as T.R.C.A. and the Richmond Hill Public Library to find events of interest to you. Here are a few highlights….
GutsyWalk 2023
There is still time to join the Gutsy Walk in support of Crohns and Colitis research.
The York Region event is happening
Sunday June 4th at
Richmond Green Park
Learn more about how to get involved and support this important event. I hope to see you there.
Richmond Hill Lawn Bowling Club (RHLBC) Invites you to Learn how to lawn bowl!
Join the RHLBC for this year’s Learn2LawnBowl program.
Registrants ($75) can enjoy free, unlimited lawn bowling during regular bowling hours until the end of June. For more information and to register, please contact Terry Knight 905-883-6673
National Blood Donor Week is June 11-17 and World Blood Donor Day is June 14
Canadian Blood Services is Shining a Light on the urgent need for donors this month
Join a community-building event in celebration of National Indigenous History Month.
Learn more at Odeiwin: Connect – Indigenous Culture ConnectionThe free event organized by Odeiwin, an Indigenous-led non-profit, will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on June 25 at Central Library
Join Odeiwin on Facebook
MS Road to a Cure
is back on
August 5th at the
Bloomington GO Station
Richmond Hill May Events
Here are a few of the events I was privileged to participate in lately, on behalf of the City of Richmond Hill
Important Numbers and Information
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