Top five things to do on Canada Day

Happy Canada Day! Not sure how to spend the stat holiday today? There’s plenty to do right here in Vaughan! From exploring local trails to diving into the outdoor pool, there are many fun, free activities to keep you and your family entertained for the whole day. Get ready to discover the top five things to do in Vaughan on Canada Day! 

1. Join us for Vaughan's annual Canada Day celebration

Bring your family and friends along for Canada’s 157th birthday celebration at Boyd Conservation Area (8739 Islington Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today! Our award-winning annual event features an exciting lineup of FREE entertainment, including our headline performer, Kardinal Offishall, and activities for all ages to keep you busy all day long! For more details, visit vaughan.ca/CanadaDay.

2. Dive into the Thornhill Outdoor Pool

The City of Vaughan’s Thornhill Outdoor Pool (located at 26 Old Yonge St.) is now open daily through to Monday, Sept. 2, and includes designated times for recreational, length and parent and tot swims as well as aquafitness classes. Pre-registration and pre-payment are available for your convenience one week in advance of all scheduled swims at vaughan.perfectmind.com. Limited spots will be available for walk-ins prior to the start of a recreational activity. For schedules and fees, visit vaughan.ca/swim.  

The Thornhill Outdoor Pool will be operating on the following holiday schedule: 

• Aquafitness from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
• Length swim from 11 a.m. to noon
• Recreational swims at 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

3.  Take a stroll along a trail or neighbourhood walk

Lace up your hiking shoes and prepare to embark on an outdoor adventure on one of 12 Great Walks of Vaughan: Jersey Creek Neighbourhood Walk, Mackenzie Glen Neighbourhood Walk, Maple Nature Reserve Nature Walk, Marita Payne Neighbourhood Walk, North Maple Regional Park Nature Walk, Peter Rupert Neighbourhood Walk, Rainbow Creek Neighbourhood Walk(note: select paths are temporarily closed for stormwater management pond installations), Riverwalk Neighbourhood Walk, Sonoma Heights Neighbourhood Walk, Sugarbush Nature Walk, Vellore Neighbourhood Walk and William Granger Greenway Nature Walk. There’s a trail for all ages, abilities and comfort levels. Visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks for more information and maps. You can also browse the Parks and Trails webpage for an interactive view of all trails and parks throughout the city, the Great Walks of Vaughan walking trail guide (PDF) and the City’s Great Walks of Vaughan map legend (PDF). 

Our city has many other local trails to explore, including the Bartley Smith Greenway, the William Granger Greenway (Humber Trail), the Nashville Conservation Reserve Trails and the Vaughan Super Trail. Learn more about these trails at vaughan.ca/trails.

4. Immerse yourself in nature’s tales with StoryWalk 

StoryWalk is back by popular demand with five new Canadian children’s books for families to explore! Brought to life by Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) and the City’s Public Works teams, StoryWalk combines the joys of reading with the wonders of nature. With each step along the trail, the story unfolds one page at a time in this immersive experience. StoryWalk is the perfect opportunity to get active outdoors with your family and friends in a place where books come to life beneath the open sky. When you’re visiting a StoryWalk, use #LoveVPL on social media and share pictures and videos of your outdoor fun. Remember not to disturb or get close to wildlife. Find a StoryWalk trail at vaughanpl.info/storywalk.

5. Join VPL’s book club

Bookworms unite at VPL’s TD Summer Reading Club! Report on your child’s reading each week to earn a sticker and be entered for a weekly prize draw. Read in French for extra chances to win! Join new activities each week at your local library. For more information visit vaughanpl.info/src.

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