Introducing you to … our Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations team!

The City of Vaughan is introducing you to some of the teams that work hard to support the residents and businesses that call this vibrant community home! Today, we’re sharing everything there is to know about Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations. 

This unit is in the Public Works portfolio, which is made up of three departments: Environmental Services; Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations; and Transportation and Fleet Management Services. Together, these teams go above and beyond to provide the community with front-line services for our waterways, parks, roads and so much more!

So, what does the Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations team do?

Members of this department are responsible for maintaining our parks and open spaces, including trails, playgrounds and a wide variety of sports fields and courts throughout the city. This department also maintains horticultural displays and flower beds, and ensures the sustainability of the city's urban tree canopy. They also provide other maintenance activities like litter and debris pickup, and snow removal in parks, on sidewalks and along City boulevards.

Let’s do a deeper dive on each business unit within the department: 

Parks

This team manages more than 800 hectares of open space land  throughout the city. They also maintain hundreds of amenities, including 277 playgrounds,  21 splashpads, 60 tennis facility locations and 134 courts, 10 skate parks, extensive walking trails, 74 basketball courts, 58 baseball diamonds, 151 soccer fields and more. The City also manages and operates 21 cemeteries. Staff manage the sales of plots, offer interment services at seven locations and maintain and care for 14 pioneer cemeteries.

Parks Operations staff also provide support to over 150 corporate and community events annually, the team delivers and set up a variety of materials such as stages, tents and picnic tables. Learn more at vaughan.ca/parks.

Forestry Operations

The Forestry Operations division maintains more than 135,000 trees and 195 hectares of woodlots. Tree-related activities such as tree pruning and removals, tree planting, permitting and implementing guidelines and policies on the preservation and protection of trees are part of Vaughan’s current forest programming. Learn more at vaughan.ca/trees.

Horticulture Services

This team handles the City’s beautification efforts, such as hanging baskets, flower planters, flower beds and shrub beds. Regular maintenance of public parks and open areas all contribute to a beautiful city that makes us proud to call Vaughan home. Learn more at vaughan.ca/horticulture.

Watch this video to learn more about Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations directly from the staff members themselves!

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