#PlayVaughanLocal in the great outdoors

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City of Vaughan

COVID-19 Updates

City of Vaughan news is released on a daily basis and kept on vaughan.ca for reference purposes. For the most recent updates and news as they happen, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the official corporate channels on and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

 

Visit vaughan.ca/PlayVaughanLocal for your one-stop outdoor adventure guide


Have you been feeling cooped up at home? Get outdoors … safely! While following advice from York Region on public health safety measures, try exercising outside and enjoy the fresh air. Visit vaughan.ca/PlayVaughanLocal for your guide to all the exciting activities and adventures in Vaughan. Find complete information about the City’s various trails and neighbourhood walks, off-leash dog park, outdoor skating rinks, toboggan hill and more.
 
If you take pictures while safely enjoying an outdoor activity in Vaughan, share your good times on social media with the hashtag #PlayVaughanLocal. Let your fellow residents know there is plenty of fun to be had for all ages in Vaughan’s beautiful outdoors – just steps away from home.
 
Parks, trails and neighbourhood walks
Spend time in nature at any of Vaughan’s various parks, trails and neighbourhood walks. With more than 700 hectares of open space and boulevards throughout the City, there are plenty of parks and amenities to enjoy, even in the winter season. Visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks for more information and maps of top trails or the Parks and Trails webpage for an interactive view of all trails and parks.
 
Scavenger hunts
A great way to get your children engaged with nature is to do a scavenger hunt through the City’s parks, forests and trails. There are both beginner and advanced scavenger hunts, as well as a winter-themed one – perfect for this time of year. Print a scavenger hunt activity sheet to take with you outdoors and let your little adventurers discover the many types of leaves, plants, insects and forest critters that call Vaughan their home. Visit vaughan.ca/PlayVaughanLocal to view the scavenger hunt activity sheets.
 
Snowshoe loaner program
If you’re hitting the trails or exploring a park in Vaughan this season, why not sign up to borrow snowshoes? The snowshoe loaner program is free for residents and bookings can be made through 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 are 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.
 
All equipment comes prepackaged and has been individually inspected, cleaned and disinfected. Snowshoes are available through contactless curbside pickup at Al Palladini Community Centre, Civic Centre Resource Library, Garnet A. Williams 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.
 
Off-leash dog park
Looking for somewhere to safely socialize your dog? Visit the off-leash dog park at 299 Racco Parkway and let your four-legged friend run and play with others. Before visiting, remember a mandatory mask zone is in effect for all participants and observers and there are security guard rotations on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is also increased presence and patrols by enforcement officers, and safety signage has been updated at the park to reflect public health guidelines.
 
Toboggan hill
Feel the wind on your face as you glide down the City’s toboggan hill at North Regional Maple Park (11085 Keele St.). The hill is open daily, weather permitting. Keep in mind a mandatory mask zone is in effect for all participants and observers, on-site security guards patrol on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and regular inspections by parks staff continues. Additional safety signage has also been posted at the hill.
 
Outdoor rinks
All five of the City's outdoor rinks  are open every day from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. until March, weather permitting. Safety measures are 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 registering for a skate session and the safety protocols in place, watch this quick demonstration video. For more details, visit vaughan.ca/skate. If residents require assistance registering for a skate session, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email RecCSD@vaughan.ca.
 
Visit vaughan.ca/PlayVaughanLocal for more information on all seasonal outdoor activities within the city.
 
The City urges the public to continue to do their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while visiting outdoor amenities. It’s important to follow all York Region public health guidelines – including practising physical distancing, washing and sanitizing 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.
 
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.
 
To receive the City’s latest updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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