You asked, we answered

Oct. 3, 2020 10:00 a.m.
Access Vaughan answers the top five resident questions received in September
 
Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Looking for an update on the City’s COVID-19 response efforts? Access Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to all resident inquiries. Reach the City’s contact centre by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
Every month, the City releases popular questions and answers received and responded to by Access Vaughan in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five inquiries received in September.
 
1. Which recreation facilities have reopened?
The City of Vaughan has been taking a disciplined, measured and responsible approach to reopening facilities and amenities. Below is a list of recreational facilities that have reopened under strict health and safety measures:
  • Arenas (by permit only)
  • Fitness centres (by appointment only)
  • Indoor pools (by registration only)
  • Off-leash dog park
  • Outdoor basketball courts
  • Outdoor bocce courts
  • Outdoor exercise equipment
  • Outdoor volleyball courts
  • Premium/artificial fields and diamonds (by permit only)
  • Skateboard parks
  • Splashpads (weekends only until Oct. 13)
  • Sports fields and baseball diamonds
  • Squash courts (by appointment only)
  • Tennis courts
  • Trails 
Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and take precautions when visiting reopened facilities and amenities. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/recreation. A complete list of reopenings in the city can be viewed at vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan.
 
2. How do I register for a fitness workout time or swim time?
Vaughan Fitness Centres are open by appointment only from Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., except for Father E. Bulfon Community Centre, which closes at 5 p.m. on weekends. Strict health and safety measures are in place, including frequent cleaning and sanitization, controlled access, limited capacity and pre-scheduled 75-minute workout time blocks. Members can register online at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For more information or to obtain a registration barcode and PIN, please contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
Recreational and length swimming is available to pool plan holders and Vaughan Fitness members. Pre-paid single visits by the public are available at a special promotional cost of $3.25 (plus HST) for a limited time. Aquafitness classes are available to plan holders and fitness members only, until further notice. These facilities and activities will be available on a limited basis and at a reduced capacity. Pre-registration is required to use the pool and can be done at vaughan.ca/RecOnline one week in advance. View pool guidelines, the check-in procedure and schedules at vaughan.ca/swim.
 
3. How do I book/cancel a parking ticket dispute appointment?
Online payments of administrative monetary penalties, such as parking tickets, can be made online via payvaughanticket.com. To arrange an alternative method of payment or schedule a dispute appointment, call 905-832-2281 within 15 days of receiving it. Scheduled disputes are being conducted over the phone until further notice. To cancel or change a screening date or time, please call By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services no less than 24 hours in advance of the scheduled screening appointment at 905-832-2281. If unable to make a scheduled appointment, an agent (PDF) can be used to dispute the penalty on the resident’s behalf. Learn more at vaughan.ca/bylaw.
 
4. How can I report litter or debris in a park?
To report litter or debris in a park, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. All reported instances will be referred to Public Works to resolve within priority sequence.
 
The City also recently launched a pilot QR (Quick Response) Code project to help keep the community clean and reduce response times. This enables residents to scan the code found on select garbage cans using their smartphone to notify City staff when it is full and needs to be emptied. Regular waste collection of these bins will continue, but the codes will allow residents to immediately alert the City when additional cleaning is required.
 
5. How do I know what waste item goes where?
The City offers an online sorting tool to help residents understand what waste items go where. To have this information at your fingertips, download the Recycle Coach app on your mobile phone. The app also provides waste-less tips and a personalized waste schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb that week. You can also download this free guide (PDF), which lists what waste belongs in what bins (recycling, organics or garbage).
 
While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, Access Vaughan continues to respond to all phone or email inquiries in priority sequence during regular business hours – Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Outside of these core hours, a live agent will be available to respond to municipal emergencies, including COVID-19-related inquiries 24/7. More information is available at vaughan.ca/AccessVaughan.
 
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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