A Stormwater Environmental Assessment has been completed to evaluate existing stormwater drainage within the Mill Pond Park study area and to propose options for rehabilitation of Mill Pond, the Heritage Estates stormwater facility and valleyland erosion sites north and south of Mill Pond. This study will evaluate a number of options and determine the best rehabilitation solution to improve water quality, reduce erosion and prevent flooding in the area.

Mill Pond 

Although not designed as a formal stormwater management facility, Mill Pond provides a stormwater management function to the City with more than 600 ha of lands draining into it. Over the years, this has resulted in the accumulation of a large amount of sediment that now needs to be removed. Additionally, the outlet of Mill Pond is a barrier to fish, preventing their access to upstream waters while allowing water to warm up before entering the downstream reaches, which has an overall negative impact on fish.

Heritage Estates stormwater facility north of Mill Pond

The Heritage Estates stormwater facility north of Mill Pond has operated since 1987, servicing a residential area to the north and east of about 52 hectares. This storm pond has a large amount of sediment in it that needs to be removed and parts that are in need of rehabilitation.

Valleyland erosion sites along the Upper East Don River

There are a number of sites north and south of Mill Pond that are in need of restoration with issues such as a failing bank support structures and culverts that are in poor condition and in need of repair or replacement.

This study was conducted as a Schedule B in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. 

Project File Report

A Project File Report has been prepared, which outlines the project background, details the evaluation of the rehabilitation options, and includes the conceptual designs for the preferred solutions. The Project File Report is posted under the 'Notice of Completion' tab at the bottom of this webpage and will be open to public consultation until February 2, 2024.

Richmond Hill residents have enjoyed Mill Pond for many decades and it's time to update and revitalize this natural oasis in the heart of the City. Together with the EA (described in the above drop down), the Park Revitalization Master Plan project will guide the phased revitalization of the park and stormwater management works. Existing and potential new outdoor and recreation facilities, trails and natural heritage enhancement projects will be discussed with the community and prioritized for implementation over time to reduce disruption to park users as much as possible. A Parking Strategy will also be completed. The revitalization of Mill Pond Park will aim to:  

• Improve connectivity and wayfinding, and link the southern portion of the park with the new City lands on Regent Street in the northern portion of the park; 
• Use creative placemaking techniques to pull together all elements and sections of the park into a unified whole;
• Balance the visual, ecological, recreational, cultural and maintenance/operation needs of the park and stormwater facility;   
• Capitalize on the park's assets to create a public space that promotes citizen's health, happiness and well-being; and
• Enhance the natural character of the park that will foster pride and promote a sense of belonging for Richmond Hill citizens.

The Mill Pond Park Revitalization Master Plan was approved by Council on April 10, 2024.  The redesign and construction of the new park is expected to take place over the next seven years, dependent on capital funding. Please check back for further details or subscribe to this page for updates by clicking 'Receive email updates' below. 

• Notice of Commencement

A Mill Pond Park Revitalization Survey/Self-guided Tour and associated survey was available for public input between May 25 and June 8 to help in making decisions related to outdoor recreation facilities, trails and natural heritage enhancement projects. 

Open House #2

Stormwater Rehabilitation/Environmental Assessment Comment Period

An Open House was held on Wednesday, June 29 at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts where residents were invited to join us for an overview of the Mill Pond stormwater rehabilitation project,  as well as review and provide feedback on the proposed rehabilitation solutions. To facilitate public input for those who were unable to attend the in-person event, an online survey was open between June 29 and July 17th. 

• Notice of Public Open House 2
• View the Stormwater Environmental Assessment Presentation Boards
• View the Park Revitalization Master Plan Presentation Boards

Please note, the focus of this open house was the stormwater rehabilitation. The next phase of public consultation related to Mill Pond Park amenities such as trails and recreational facilities will take place in 2023.

Open House #1

To facilitate community input, a virtual Public Open House was held and was open for public comment between September 27 and October 15, 2021. 

• Notice of Virtual Public Open House 1 Pre-Recorded Presentation and Survey
• Virtual Public Open House 1 Pre-Recorded Presentation

Open House notices are mailed to homes in the nearby neighbourhood and posted here.

A Notice of Completion for this project has been mailed to adjacent residents and published here on December 20, 2023.

• Notice of Completion

The Project File Report was available for public review from December 21, 2023 to February 2, 2024. The commenting period is now closed, but the files can still be accessed from the link below:

• Mill Pond Stormwater Environmental Assessment Project File Report
• Appendix A - Ecology
• Appendix B - OWES Wetland Evaluation
• Appendix C - Archaeology
• Appendix D - Hydrology
• Appendix E - Hydraulics
• Appendix F - Fluvial Geomorphology
• Appendix G - Structural Assessments
• Appendix H - Cost Estimate
• Appendix I - Excess Soils
• Appendix J - Sediment Disposal
• Appendix K - Consultation
• Appendix L - Figures

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City’s project lead:

Mr. Jeremy Wychreschuk, MASc, DPA, PMP, P.Eng. 
Manager, Infrastructure Planning 
Infrastructure Planning and Development Engineering 
City of Richmond Hill 
225 East Beaver Creek Road 
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4
Tel: 905-771-5495
jeremy.wychreschuk@richmondhill.ca

Notice of Draft Master Plan Completion - Master Plan Revitalization Plan

Residents were invited to provide their comments on the Draft Mill Pond Park Revitalization Master Plan. The commenting period closed on February 2, 2024. The final Master Plan will be brought to Council for approval in 2024. Please check back at that time for further details or subscribe to this page for updates by clicking 'Receive email updates' below. 

Please submit written questions or comments to the contacts listed below for each project:

Any personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, the Environmental Assessment Act, R.S.O 1990, c. E.18 and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56. The City collects this information to enable it to make an informed decision on the relevant issue(s). Individuals who submit correspondence should be aware that any personal information in their communication will become part of the public record. The City will make it available to the public, unless the individual expressly requests the City to remove the personal information from the public record. Questions about the collection of this information may be directed to Jeremy Wychreschuk, at 905-771-5495, 225 East Beaver Creek Rd, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3P4.