It’s National Public Works Week!
Enjoy FREE family-friendly activities on May 25
The City of Vaughan’s Public Works professionals keep our community clean, safe and beautiful 365 days a year through a variety of programs and services. To recognize this team of 425 dedicated staff, the City is celebrating National Public Works Week until Saturday, May 25 – and you’re invited to join in!
This year’s theme is “Advancing Quality of Life for All,” which shines a spotlight on how this hardworking group of people contributes to our quality of life – from repairing potholes and cutting grass, to collecting waste and providing safe drinking water, among many other services.
To kick off the weeklong celebrations, the City will raise the National Public Works Week flag at City Hall and the Joint Operations Centre this morning, and illuminate City Hall orange this evening in observance.
Then, join us – rain or shine – for a day of family-friendly activities at our open house on Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Joint Operations Centre (2800 Rutherford Rd.). During the event, you can:
- admire some of the City’s fleet vehicles, like snowplows and streetsweepers.
- donate unwanted textiles at our clothing donation bin.
- drop off a non-perishable food item for the Vaughan Food Bank.
- enjoy a FREE ice cream or slushie (one per person while supplies last).
- 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 for FREE.
- jump, climb and slide your way through an inflatable obstacle course (participants must be between 36 to 80 inches, or 91 to 203 centimetres tall).
- meet and greet animals from Reptilia Zoo.
- pick up FREE mulch (up to three bags per vehicle; bags will be prefilled and provided by the City).
- step right up to fun at our inflatable carnival game booth.
- watch live entertainment.
- and more!
There will be an additional mulch giveaway at the Joint Operations Centre on Friday, May 24, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. if you’re unable to make it to the open house.
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.
And as we recognize National Public Works Week, we are sharing the stories and experiences of some of the women on this important team. You can visit the City’s website to learn more about the women who contribute every day to keeping the City safe and clean.
For more information on National Public Works Week in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/PublicWorksWeek.
QUOTES
“It’s National Public Works Week – a time to celebrate the incredible work our dedicated staff do every day to keep our city running smoothly for residents, businesses and visitors. This team of professionals operates year-round, providing a variety of services like snow removal, managing stormwater ponds, waste collection and so much more, all which firmly represent what it means to provide Service Excellence to the community. I invite everyone to come out to the open house on Saturday, May 25 to learn more about the important work of our Public Works portfolio and enjoy a day of family-friendly fun. On behalf of the City of Vaughan and Members of Council, I want to thank our Public Works team for their passion and dedication to our city.”
Mayor Steven Del Duca
“Our Public Works professionals provide exceptional resident-focused services for everyone who lives, works and visits Vaughan. From providing clean drinking water and disposing of solid waste, to maintaining roads and bridges, and creating emergency management strategies to respond to all kinds of disaster situations, the City’s Public Works teams work hard to enhance the quality of life for everyone in the community. I want to extend my appreciation and acknowledge their commitment to making Vaughan clean, safe and beautiful.”
- Nick Spensieri, City Manager
“Each day, the Public Works team has a significant influence on our way of life – whether you’re out enjoying a local park, driving around the city or having a glass of clean, safe tap water. 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. Please join us 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, 97 traffic signals and approximately 26,000 streetlights, 133 hectares of boulevard maintenance, 1,114 kilometres of sidewalks and approximately 25,000 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, 750 planters, 130,000 street trees and 800 garden beds.
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