The Town’s commitment to inclusivity and accessible recreation was recently recognized by Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) with the 2009 Award of Excellence for Crosby Park, the Town’s first fully accessible park. This award honours individuals or organizations from the PRO Special Interest Areas that have demonstrated new and innovative activities, programs, unique facility design, community development or other initiatives that foster co-operative approaches for the further advancement of sport, recreation or leisure. The newly redesigned Crosby Park (located at Crosby Avenue and Newkirk Road) reopened in June 2008 and quickly became a destination for people of all ages and abilities. What makes Crosby Park truly unique is the attention to detail – the little things so often taken for granted. An elevated sandbox, for example, allows those in wheelchairs the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasure of building castles in the sand; and special drum tables enable everyone, particularly the visually impaired, the chance simulate a variety of sounds and discover the musician inside them. The gently sloping ramps of the fully accessible playground structure enable children of all ages and abilities to access all levels of the play area.
The Town of Richmond Hill’s annual staff United Way Fundraising Campaign was recently recognized by the United Way of York Region (UWYR) for the third consecutive year, with the 2009 Municipal Challenge Award in the
Municipal Challenge: Large category. This award is presented to the municipality that accomplishes the highest percentage of participation in the category. In 2009, participation increased compared to the previous campaign, resulting in a total of $72,875 being raised for the UWYR – $17,875 more than the goal. Also recognized at the meeting was Town staff member Sharon Johnson, who the UWYR recently named
Volunteer of the Year and presented with the Douglas E. Lear Memorial Award. Sharon has been the United Way Coordinator for the Town since 2004 and, thanks in part to her, the Town has nearly doubled the funds raised annually for United Way. The United Way of York Region supports a network of 40 agencies, funding 100 vital social service programs.
Fourth Consecutive Win for Town’s Aquatics Section
The Town’s Aquatics Section was recognized with the 2009 David W. Pretty Cup for their ongoing support and implementation of life saving programs for Richmond Hill. This is the fourth consecutive year Richmond Hill’s Aquatics Section has won this award (for the largest lifesaving program in a community with a population between 100,000 and 250,000), recognizing and substantiating the Town’s commitment to water safety. Town’s aquatics programs include First Aid, bronze levels, instructor awards and lifeguard training. The David W. Pretty Cup is awarded each year by the Lifesaving Society – Ontario, a charitable organization that works to prevent drowning and water-related injury through training programs, Water Smart public education and aquatic safety management services.
Crosby Park Receives Award of Excellence
Town’s United Way Campaign Completes the Hat Trick
