Richmond Hill Provides Grants to Maintain Designated Heritage Properties
Council approved the Heritage Committee’s recommendations to award $29,483 in Heritage Grants in 2017 for the preservation and restoration of eight heritage properties. Heritage plays an important role in Richmond Hill as it promotes a sense of identity and celebrates the town’s unique culture. Richmond Hill is committed to preserving its structural heritage to create a more vibrant community for future generations to enjoy. The grants will provide for the restoration and repair of heritage components that are identified in the properties’ designation by-laws. This year’s projects include brick restoration, exterior painting and replacement of roof shingles. Preserving physical features helps to protect the town’s past. For more information, contact Isa James, Heritage and Urban Design Planner at 905-771-5529.

Richmond Hill Updates Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces Policy
To continue to protect the health of Richmond Hill residents, Council approved banning the use of electronic cigarettes in accordance with the Town’s Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces Policy. The use of electronic cigarettes will now be included in the policy that was adopted by Council in 2014. It prohibits smoking outside within nine metres of any entrance to a recreation facility, outdoor splash pad, sports field, playground or sports court (basketball, tennis, etc.). This policy complements the Smoke-Free Ontario Act which states it is illegal to smoke on and within 20 metres of all publicly-owned playgrounds, splash pads, sports fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. For more information, contact Darlene Joslin, Director of Recreation and Culture at 905-771-2423.

Tastes of the Hill Provides Cultural Experiences and Funds to the Community
Deputy Mayor, Regional & Local Councillor Vito Spatafora announced that $35,000 was raised at this year’s Tastes of the Hill (TOTH) Multicultural Festival in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of York. The organization was selected to receive the funds raised due to their work in delivering impactful mentoring programs to vulnerable and at-risk children and youth in York Region and Bradford. This year’s TOTH multicultural festival featured a Canadiana Pavilion in commemoration of Canada 150. Visitors experienced international cultures through a variety of activities, including live entertainment, a fashion show, contests and a showcase of culture, food and beverages, film, arts and crafts and sports. To date, Tastes of the Hill has raised over half a million dollars for more than 20 local charities. For more information, contact Dan Di Ruscio, Events Coordinator at 905-771-5513.

Richmond Hill Receives 10 Communications Awards
Richmond Hill was recognized with 10 communications awards for a wide range of projects, including the Town’s new website that was launched in fall 2016. Richmond Hill received a Gold Marcom Award for the LED Streetlights project video, Gold Hermes Creative Awards for a Dog License Social Media campaign and the Access Richmond Hill Car Wrap. For the Town’s new website, Richmond Hill received a Gold Hermes Award in the government category, an AVA Digital Award in the government category, an Outstanding Website and a Government Standard of Excellence from WebAward (Web Marketing Association) and a Silver Leaf Award of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators (Canada). Richmond Hill also received an Honourable Mention from Hermes Creative Award for a Stormwater Education Board and an Honourable mention from Hermes Creative Award for the website’s homepage. For more information, contact Meeta Gandhi, Director of Communication Services at 905-747-6311.

Richmond Hill Recognized For Award-Winning Park Designs
Richmond Hill has been awarded by the Ontario Concrete Industry for Outstanding Architectural Hardscaping at Rouge Crest Park. The park’s design was inspired and based on patterns found in nature which are interwoven into surface treatments, vertical structures, play areas and site furniture. For example, the ripple pattern on the seating walls, honeycomb pattern on some of the walls and the abstracted pattern of a braided stream in the waterplay area’s cast-in-place concrete pad. Richmond Hill has also been recognized by Parks & Recreation Ontario and Landscape Ontario with Awards of Excellence for Lake Wilcox Promenade. The themes of water, wildlife, journey and cultural heritage formed the basis for the design. The Lake Wilcox Waterfront Promenade demonstrates initiative in protecting, preserving and enhancing the inherent natural resources of the Oak Ridges Moraine while balancing the recreational needs of the local community. The main promenade is comprised of custom shapes, colours and patterns along the length of the concrete walkway which reflects a “wooden boardwalk” in a natural setting. There are engravings with inspirational quotations that dot the promenade, concrete benches and large themed precast pavers along the walkway. For more information, contact Italo Brutto, Commissioner of Environment and Infrastructure Services at 905-771-2527.

Photos of the above presentations are available upon request.

The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 20 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council Meeting is Monday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers.