Celebrate National Public Works Week
Enjoy free family-friendly activities on May 27
National Public Works Week is a time to recognize the hard work and dedication of public works professionals who are responsible for ensuring we have clean water to drink, safe roads to travel on, vibrant parks to visit, and so much more. Today marks the start of the week-long celebrations to honour the contributions of the City of Vaughan’s 425 Public Works staff who continue to make Vaughan a great place to live, work and play.
To kick off the week, the National Public Works week flag was raised outside Vaughan City Hall and the Joint Operations Centre this morning and Vaughan City Hall will be illuminated orange this evening in observance. The City is also featuring some incredible women in Public Works along with their stories, experiences and passion for the industry – check out their inspirational stories now!
You’re invited to join us – rain or shine – for a day of family-friendly activities on Saturday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Joint Operations Centre (2800 Rutherford Rd.).
During the event, you can:
- admire a large fleet display from the City.
- donate your textiles at our clothing donation bin.
- enjoy a FREE ice cream or slushie (one per person).
- exchange damaged City-issued blue boxes and green bins or purchase new ones.
- fill up your reusable water bottle at the City’s water truck.
- get your face painted.
- jump, climb and slide through an inflatable obstacle course (you must be between three feet to six feet seven inches tall to participate).
- meet and greet animals from Reptilia Zoo!
- pick up FREE mulch to use on your lawn or garden (claim up to three bags of mulch per car; the City will provide the bags).
- purchase a backyard composter or kitchen container.
- step right up to fun at our inflatable carnival game booth.
- and more!
While this event is sure to be lots of fun, the City’s Public Works team takes their work seriously. Enhancing operational performance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement are central to the mission of our Public Works employees. Their achievements continue to receive national recognition for innovative thinking, the development of new best practices and a commitment to Service Excellence. Celebrating National Public Works Week provides an opportunity to highlight the exceptional efforts of the City’s Public Works team and their role in keeping our city safe, clean and beautiful.
For more information on National Public Works Week in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/PublicWorksWeek.
QUOTE(S)
“The City of Vaughan’s Public Works portfolio is essential to ensure our city runs smoothly and safely for residents, businesses and visitors. Vaughan’s hard-working Public Works professionals are passionate about what they do and contribute to a higher standard of living in our community. During National Public Works Week and beyond, I want to extend my sincere thanks to every member of our Public Works team for their continuous efforts to implement new technologies that improve service delivery and maximize taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. Their achievements continue to make Vaughan a destination of choice.”
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
“Our Public Works professionals provide exceptional resident-focused services through continuous improvement, innovation, transparent and accountable decision-making, responsible financial management and effective administration and communication. From providing clean drinking water to disposing of solid waste, to maintaining roads and bridges, to creating emergency management strategies to respond to all kinds of disaster situations, the City’s Public Works teams always strive to make Vaughan a safe and vibrant place to work and live. I want to extend my appreciation and acknowledge the committed work our Public Works professionals provide. They enhance the quality of life for everyone in this community.”
- Nick Spensieri, City Manager
“Public Works is the thread that connects us all. A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes in the Public Works portfolio to keep our city moving safely and efficiently, and it truly is an honour to be part of this award-winning group. Each day, the Public Works team has a significant influence on our way of life – whether you’re enjoying a local park, driving around the city or having a glass of clean, safe water. Please join me this week to celebrate our exceptional Public Works staff for everything they do.”
- Zoran Postic, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
QUICK FACTS
- Since 1960, the third week in May has been celebrated as National Public Works Week in Canada.
- The City of Vaughan’s Public Works portfolio has three departments: Environmental Services; Transportation and Fleet Management Services; and Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations.
- Public Works provides quality services that directly impact residents and businesses across the city every day. Services include seasonal maintenance of municipal roads, sidewalks and pathways; maintenance of parks, boulevards and open spaces; forestry and horticulture services; fleet management of all City vehicles and equipment; traffic services and administration of the crossing guard program; management of garbage and recycling collection; and water, wastewater and stormwater services.
- Environmental Services is responsible for 11 sanitary lift/pumping stations, two water booster/pressure elevating stations, more than 150 stormwater ponds, more than 975 kilometres of storm sewers, 1,000 kilometres of sanitary sewers, more than 1,150 kilometres of active watermains, more than 10,500 fire hydrants, 16,500 maintenance holes and 22,000 catch basins.
- Transportation and Fleet Management Services is responsible for 2,200 lane kilometres of roads, 96 traffic signals and approximately 26,000 streetlights, 132 hectares of boulevard maintenance, 1,190 kilometres of sidewalks and approximately 23,000 traffic signs.
- Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations is responsible for more than 225 parks, more than 90 kilometres of trails, more than 270 playgrounds, 413 sports playing facilities, 1,190 kilometres of sidewalks, 750 hanging baskets, 600 planters, 130,000 street trees and 800 garden beds.
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