NEW snowshoe loaner program
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Another way to explore and enjoy the great outdoors in Vaughan
Vaughan residents now have a new way to be one with nature in the winter. Starting Thursday, Feb. 4, the City is launching a snowshoe loaner program to make it easier to explore the great outdoors whether in a park, on a trail or making your own path. Online registration starts today.
Vaughan residents now have a new way to be one with nature in the winter. Starting Thursday, Feb. 4, the City is launching a snowshoe loaner program to make it easier to explore the great outdoors whether in a park, on a trail or making your own path. Online registration starts today.
This news comes following the recent reopening of outdoor skating rinks, the toboggan hill at North Maple Regional Park and the dog park at 299 Racco Parkway with new, enhanced safety measures in place. 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 snowshoe loaner program is free for residents and bookings can be made online with the City’s new online registration system, PerfectMind, at vaughan.perfectmind.com. Snowshoes are loaned on a weekly basis for four days from Thursday to Sunday and include one set of snowshoes per person, while quantities last. Following an online booking, residents will be contacted by Recreation Services’ staff within 24 hours to co-ordinate a curbside pickup time and the completion of a mandatory waiver. A $50 security deposit is required upon booking, which will be refunded when the snowshoes are returned.
Registration dates for the four-day loan will become available every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. on a week-to-week basis. If you require assistance registering, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email RecCSD@vaughan.ca.
There are five different sizes of snowshoe lengths to choose from:
- 19 inches – holds up to 80 pounds (small)
- 23 inches – holds from 70 pounds to 120 pounds (medium)
- 25 inches – holds up to 200 pounds (large)
- 30 inches – holds up to 250 pounds (extra large)
- 34 inches – holds up to 300 pounds (double extra large)
All equipment comes prepackaged and has been individually inspected, cleaned and disinfected. Snowshoes will be made available through contactless curbside pickup at Al Palladini Community Centre, Garnet A. Williams Community Centre, Maple Community Centre, North Thornhill Community Centre and Vellore Village Community Centre every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Snowshoes are to be returned to the same community centre from which they were loaned on the Monday after your rental between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
QUOTES
“Throughout the global pandemic, the City of Vaughan has innovated, adapted, and transformed our programs and services to continue delivering Service Excellence to citizens. Following the City’s disciplined, responsible, and measured approach to reopening the outdoor skating rinks, toboggan hill and dog park, we are pleased to offer a new snowshoe loaner program starting Thursday, Feb. 4. Residents can loan equipment at no charge to explore Vaughan’s parks and extensive trail networks. It is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors while following public health guidelines and practicing physical distancing. Physical activity is an important element of mental health. It is just one component of the City of Vaughan’s holistic approach to ensure our citizens' well-being, particularly as COVID-19 persists. I encourage residents to stay active and stay safe this winter while discovering the best of what Vaughan has to offer.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
“As COVID-19 continues to impact our daily lives, the City of Vaughan is committed to offering programs and services that keep citizens active and engaged – safely. This new snowshoe loaner program is the latest way the City is supporting Vaughan residents to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors while following provincial orders and public health guidelines. Staff have put various protocols in place with this program to keep participants safe – from curbside pickup of equipment to disinfecting between users. Our COVID-19 response continues to evolve with a focus on taking all steps possible to reduce the spread of this virus while providing residents with high quality programs, services and amenities.”
- City Manager Jim Harnum
QUICK FACTS
- The City of Vaughan has taken a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to COVID-19 since it became the first city in Ontario to declare a state of emergency in March 2020.
- 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.
- 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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