With new, enhanced safety measures – rinks, toboggan hill and dog park to reopen

Jan. 28, 2021 8:30 a.m.
COVID-19 Updates
 
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​Citizens asked to do their part to keep outdoor winter amenities safe


With new, enhanced safety measures in place, the City of Vaughan is moving ahead with an effective plan to reopen and manage the City’s outdoor ice rinks, toboggan hill and off-leash dog park. These latest efforts are consistent with the disciplined, responsible and measured response Vaughan has taken since it became the first city in Ontario to declare a state of emergency in March 2020.
 
These amenities closed temporarily effective Friday, Jan. 15 in response to rising cases of the virus and people crowding in these spaces while not following public health guidelines around physical distancing and mask usage. The decision was made following the Province of Ontario’s stay-at-home order and declaration of a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). The closure decision was further informed by repeated public statements by provincial officials to stay at home.
 
The City continues to monitor evolving COVID-19 developments and listens to stakeholder and community feedback to develop precautionary measures. City staff completed a review of existing safety measures and developed a series of comprehensive measures to ensure maximum safety compliance with the Province of Ontario’s stay-at-home order. As a result, the toboggan hill at North Maple Regional Park and the dog park at 299 Racco Parkway reopened on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The five outdoor rinks will reopen Monday, Feb. 1, weather permitting.   
 
Below are the new and enhanced measures that will be in effect. The City urges the public to do their part and follow the enhanced measures to ensure the maximum number of individuals can safely enjoy the outdoor amenities and reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.
 
Outdoor skating rinks
  • All five of the City's outdoor rinks will be open every day from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. starting Monday, Feb. 1 until March (weather permitting)
  • Beginning Thursday, Jan. 28 at 8:30 a.m., pre-registration for outdoor recreational skating is required at vaughan.perfectmind.com
  • Skate sessions are 45 minutes in duration with a 30-minute break between sessions
  • The number of skaters on the ice at one time is limited to 25
  • Skate sessions are available for registration one week in advance
  • Waitlists and walk-ons are not permitted
  • All skaters are required to provide proof of registration and arrive no more than 10 minutes before their reserved skate time
  • Skaters are required to complete the Provincial Public Health Self-assessment prior to arriving at an outdoor rink
  • Only registered skaters will be permitted within the skate enclosure
  • Skaters must be residents of Vaughan
  • There will be no make-up times or scheduling adjustments for service disruptions resulting from inclement weather or maintenance delays/closures/cancellations
  • To cancel a skate session, email RecCSD@vaughan.ca
  • A mandatory mask zone will be in effect for all participants and observers
  • Additional mats and benches will be purchased and spaced to ensure adequate physical distancing for each participant/family to wait and put on skates
  • On-site staff will support the check-in, line management and skate patrol functions at each rink
  • Additional on-site security guards will provide 24-hour coverage
  • There will be increased presence and patrols by enforcement officers
  • Watch this video demonstration on how to register for recreational outdoor skating 
These measures will be in place for the outdoor skating rinks at Chancellor Community Centre, Dufferin Clark Community Centre, Father E. Bulfon Community Centre, Garnet A. Williams Community Centre and Vellore Village Community Centre.
 
For more information about outdoor skating rinks, including safety guidelines, visit vaughan.ca/skate.
 
Toboggan hill
  • The toboggan hill reopened on Wednesday, Jan. 27
  • A mandatory mask zone is in effect for all participants and observers
  • On-site security guards will patrol on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Additional safety signage has been erected
  • There will be increased presence and patrols by enforcement officers
  • Regular inspections by parks staff will continue 
Off-leash dog park
  • The dog park reopened on Wednesday, Jan. 27
  • A mandatory mask zone is in effect for all participants and observers
  • There will be security guard rotations on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • There will be increased presence and patrols by enforcement officers
  • Safety signage has been updated  
Natural rinks
In response to the popularity of outdoor skating, the City is working to provide natural ice rinks on the tennis courts at Maple Community Centre and North Thornhill Community Centre. The creation of these rinks is contingent on the weather needed to make and maintain the ice. Once operational, these sites will be part of the online reservation system and subject to the safety measures for outdoor rinks.
 
Outdoor portable washrooms
With indoor washrooms closed at community centres due to COVID-19 restrictions, portable washrooms will be added at skate areas and select highly-used parks and trails, with enhanced cleaning services provided.
 
Citizens are reminded to do their part when visiting these facilities. To keep the community safe and help curb the spread of COVID-19, users are reminded to follow all York Region public health guidelines – including practising physical distancing, washing hands thoroughly and often, and wearing a face mask or covering, among others.
 
Enforcement and education efforts have been increased across the city in response to COVID-19. Greater attention and a more assertive, proactive approach to enforcement are underway. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 for follow up by the By-law Enforcement team.
 
Throughout the pandemic, many virtual offerings have been introduced or enhanced to offer a new, efficient and streamlined experience for residents and businesses. Essential services continue uninterrupted, traditional services have been reinvigorated, digital platforms have been enhanced and in-person programs and services have been modified or are now offered virtually – either through online, teleconference or over the phone. Visit vaughan.ca/COVID19 for further details.
 
QUOTE
 
“Following an extensive operational review, and with public safety continuing to be our top priority, the City of Vaughan has adopted a series of enhanced measures that allowed us to responsibly reopen the toboggan hill and dog park on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and City outdoor skating rinks on Monday, Feb. 1, weather permitting. This latest action is in keeping with the City’s disciplined, responsible, and measured approach to reducing the spread of COVID-19 under the provincial stay-at-home order and second declaration of emergency. These outdoor amenities were closed on Friday, Jan. 15 as a precautionary measure to reduce health risks to citizens and staff and as a result of heightened safety concerns due to crowding. As we continue to follow the advice of our public health experts and listen to concerned citizens, we recognize the value of physical activity as it relates to mental health and overall well-being. I want to remind residents to follow the rules when using these amenities, so everyone stays safe. Personal responsibility is more important now than ever. Each of us plays an essential role in reducing the spread of this virus. Remember, we are in this together, and we will emerge stronger.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
“As COVID-19 evolves, so do the City of Vaughan’s approach, operations and response efforts. The health and safety of Vaughan citizens and our staff is paramount, which is why we worked hard to develop a plan to reopen our outdoor recreational amenities with new and enhanced measures in place to protect the community. Our outdoor rinks, toboggan hill and dog park are reopening with new systems – like online registration for skaters, increased patrols and mandatory mask usage – in place to further reduce the spread of this deadly virus. I would like to thank Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council for their support throughout this process as well as the staff who created and will implement this new approach for our outdoor facilities. Our COVID-19 response has and will continue to be a team effort.”
- City Manager Jim Harnum
 
LEARN MORE
 
  • The City continues to monitor evolving COVID-19 developments and implement precautionary measures to further protect the community. For more information on response efforts, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19 or contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
  • Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19. 
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