August Civic Holiday weekend reminders
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Check ahead for closures in effect on Simcoe Day – Monday, Aug. 3
In advance of the upcoming August Civic Holiday – Simcoe Day in Vaughan – the City is advising residents of the following updates and closures in place on Monday, Aug. 3:
City facilities
The following City facilities will remain closed:
- City Playhouse Theatre
- Community centres (with the exception of registered in-person camp participants)
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Joint Operations Centre
- Public library branches
- Vaughan Animal Shelter
- Vaughan City Hall
The following outdoor facilities will be open throughout the long weekend:
- Basketball courts
- Benches
- Bocce courts
- Off-leash dog park
- Outdoor exercise equipment
- Parking lots
- Picnic tables and gazebos
- Playgrounds
- Premium/artificial fields and diamonds (by permit)
- Skateboard parks
- Splashpads (hours extended to 9 p.m. daily)
- Sports fields and baseball diamonds
- Tennis courts
- Trails
- Washrooms
When using reopened park amenities, residents must: stay at least two metres (approximately six feet) away from others not in their social circles; avoid gatherings of more than 100 people outdoors; do not share play equipment such as tennis balls and racquets; and keep dogs on a leash if not in an off-leash area. Playgrounds are neither supervised nor sanitized and require everyone to take precautions – including washing hands before and after visiting.
Violations can be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Reports of this nature will be referred to the City's By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department for investigation. Fines in the amount of $105 to $400 under the Parks By-law, and $500 to $100,000 under the Emergency Measures By-law, may be laid.
The City of Vaughan’s fireworks by-law (PDF) allows consumer fireworks – family fireworks set off in a private, at-home display – to be lit without a permit on Canada Day and Victoria Day only. Visit vaughan.ca/fire for more information. Violations can be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
A valid fireworks sales licence is also required for all qualified businesses selling these items in Vaughan. To apply, contact the City’s By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services team by emailing bylaw@vaughan.ca or calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
Waste collections
Regular waste collection will not be affected by Simcoe Day. Citizens should have waste safely out by 7 a.m. on their regular collection day. To receive customized notifications, download the Recycle Coach mobile app.
To help protect front-line workers, place all personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, wipes and tissues, in the garbage. Do not place these items in the blue box or green bin – items will not be collected if the box contains any of these items.
Access Vaughan
The City’s contact centre will be closed on Monday, Aug. 3. However, a live agent will be available to respond to municipal emergencies, including COVID-19-related inquiries. Access Vaughan can be reached by phone at 905-832-2281 or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Online services
Many programs continue to be offered online, including:
- Vaughan Public Libraries programs, such as virtual story time, reading clubs, audiobooks and other digital programs.
- Recreation Services activities, such as virtual fitness classes, Vaughan Playschool resources and the Virtual Summer Adventures program.
- kid-friendly pollinator activities are available and include a scavenger hunt, crossword puzzle and Whose Home? interactive game.
- the City’s corporate art gallery on Flickr.
- the online pet licensing platform for purchases of numbered City tags. Tags must be purchased within 30 days of acquiring a new dog or cat.
- the new temporary bin exchange program, allowing residents to replace broken City blue boxes and green bins through home delivery. To request an exchange and arrange a delivery, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
- the Waste-less Virtual Visits program for one-on-one video coaching on how to divert more materials into blue and green bins. Book a session by contacting 905-832-2281 or accessvaughanvaughan.ca.
- the Service Vaughan reporting tool at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan for non-emergency service requests about garbage, roads, traffic lights and more.
- the digital permitting portal at vaughan.ca/PermitPortal for citizens and building industry professionals to apply, track and pay for permits online.
Simcoe Day
This marks the first year the City of Vaughan will formally recognize the August Civic Holiday as Simcoe Day. Vaughan Council officially renamed this day in honour of John Graves Simcoe – the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada and a leading proponent of the Act Against Slavery – on June 16, 2020.
Stay informed
To receive news as it is released, frequently check vaughan.ca/COVID19, sign up for the City’s eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
For additional COVID-19-releated resources, online tools and more information from York Region Public Health, visit york.ca/COVID19.
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