Plan ahead during the holidays

Dec. 17, 2020 10:00 a.m.
Check for waste collection changes, adjusted facility and service hours and more

With the December break around the corner, the City of Vaughan is sharing updates on closures, alternate hours and changes in programming from Thursday, Dec. 24 to Monday, Jan. 4.  
 
Waste collection
Regular waste collection over the holidays will be moved one day later for residents who usually have collection on Fridays. Have your waste safely set out by 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 2. Christmas tree collection will take place the weeks of Jan. 5 and Jan. 12 on the regular collection day. Visit vaughan.ca/WasteCalendar for more details.
 
Recreation Services
All Vaughan community centres will remain closed throughout the December break in response to York Region moving into the Lockdown-Grey level in the Province of Ontario’s tiered Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.
 
To provide fun activities for families, Recreation Services will livestream recreation programs via Zoom from Monday, Dec. 21 to Thursday, Dec. 31. There are many holiday-themed activities: children can create winter crafts, sing carols with Santa and ring in the New Year doing confetti science experiments, while adults can bake healthy holiday treats! Residents can also spend their holiday learning something new, such as knitting, Zendoodle and magic, or keep active inside with no-equipment workouts. Virtual December Break programs are available for all ages and abilities and run for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. For details and direct links to registration, view the Virtual Winter Programs eGuide at vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
Free, holiday-themed fitness classes will also be posted to the recvaughan YouTube channel from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2.
 
There are also many ways to stay active outdoors! Check out the City’s five outdoor skating rinks – limit of 25 on the ice at a time – and the toboggan hills and trails. The Great Walks of Vaughan nature trails and community walks are open to explore. Visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks for additional information, including maps, location, distances, scavenger hunt tools and more.
 
When using park amenities or trails, residents must stay at least two metres (approximately six feet) away from others not in their household; not share equipment such as skates and water bottles; and keep dogs on a leash if not in an off-leash area.
 
Vaughan Public Libraries
Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library will be closed from Thursday, Dec. 24 at noon through to Saturday, Dec. 26. Regular business hours at these library locations will resume on Sunday, Dec. 27. Libraries will be closed again from Thursday, Dec. 31 at noon through to Friday, Jan.1. Regular business hours will resume on Saturday, Jan. 2. 
 
These three resource libraries will have limited capacity when open, including a limit of 10 inside at a time. Citizens will only have access to the marketplace area of the libraries, immediately inside the main entrance, and will be able to pick up holds and use public computers. All other areas will be unavailable to public use, including restrooms. For details on Vaughan Public Library safety measures, read this informational poster online. Curbside pickup will continue to be offered at the seven community branches. For more information on this service, visit vaughanpl.info/curbside.
 
For some virtual fun this holiday break, participate in the Vaughan Public Libraries online programs, such as virtual story time, reading clubs, audiobooks and other digital programs.
 
Access Vaughan
The Access Vaughan contact centre will be closed from Thursday, Dec. 24 at noon until Tuesday, Dec. 29. It will close again on Thursday, Dec. 31 at noon, reopening on Monday, Jan. 4. Although closed on those days, a 24-7 dispatcher will answer calls regarding municipal emergencies. For information about City programs and services, or to report by-law infractions, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
 
By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services
By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services will continue to operate and respond to calls on a priority basis and with a limited capacity, giving priority to matters of public safety. This includes continued availability of online services currently available, by-law enforcement, animal services and response to urgent inquiries. The Vaughan Animal Shelter remains closed to the public, with services limited to animal care, response to sick or injured animals and issues of public safety.     
 
Municipal offices
All City municipal offices will be closed from Thursday, Dec. 24 at noon to Monday, Jan. 4, when regular operations will resume. Note: Most City facilities – including Vaughan City Hall and the Joint Operations Centre – will remain closed to the public until June 2021, at the earliest. Services and programs will continue, as they have since the beginning of the pandemic, with modifications and online.
 
More information
Residents can also visit:
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