You asked, we answered

Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to know more about a City program? The Service Vaughan team is standing by ready to respond to your inquiries. The City of Vaughan’s contact centre can be reached by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll free at 1-844-832-2112), email at service@vaughan.ca, online at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan or in person at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.).

Every month, the City releases a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered,’ where common questions received and responded to by Service Vaughan are highlighted. 

Below are the top five inquiries from May: 

1. When is leaf and yard waste collection?

Starting this week, depending on your scheduled collection day, staff will pick up your yard waste materials every other week. Yard waste will be collected on the same week as your garbage. 

Place your materials at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before and no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. If the forecast calls for inclement weather overnight – like strong winds or heavy rain – wait to place your materials out in the morning.

Leaf and yard waste must be placed out in Kraft paper bags or open-top rigid containers with handles, up to 121 litres (32 gallons) in size and clearly marked “Leaf and Yard Waste.” Plastic bags are not permitted. Kraft paper bags must be kept dry – wet or degraded bags cannot be picked up as they will break during collection.

Visit the City’s leaf and yard waste webpage for more information.

2. When do the City’s splashpads open?

Many of the City’s splashpads are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., subject to weather and surface conditions. 

Find a splashpad near you:

Ward 1

• Crieff Parkette
• Mackenzie Glen District Park
• Maple Airport Park
• Maple Lions Park
• Melville Park
• Secord Park

Ward 2

• Father E. Bulfon Park
• Mapes Park
• McClure Meadows Park
• Sonoma Heights Community Park
• Vaughan Mills Park

Ward 3

• Anthony Locilento Park 
• Chancellor District Park
• Chatfield District Park
• Matthew Park

Ward 4

• Edgeley Park 
• North Thornhill Community Centre

Ward 5

• Concord/Thornhill Regional Park
• Dufferin District Park

• Glen Shields Park 

• Thornhill Green Park

• Wade Gate Park 

For more information, including maps of the splashpad locations, visit vaughan.ca/splashpads.

3. What outdoor events are being hosted by the City this summer?

From Canada Day celebrations to Concerts in the Park, there are many free, outdoor family-friendly events taking place in Vaughan all summer long! A few upcoming events include:

• Concerts in the Park: There are six concerts on select Wednesdays from June 12 to July 31, weather permitting, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This year’s schedule will feature professional entertainment for all ages with genres like disco, pop, oldies and rock. The launch concert on Wednesday, June 12 features Taylor’s Story – Tribute to Taylor Swift!
• Canada Day: Celebrate with us on Monday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boyd Conservation Area (8739 Islington Ave.). The event will feature stage entertainment headlined by Kardinal Offishall, activities, a food zone and so much more.

For more information and a full list of upcoming City events, visit vaughan.ca/events.

4. How can I register my kids for summer camps or recreation programs?

Registration for the City’s summer camps and recreational programs is well underway and spots are limited, so visit vaughan.perfectmind.com to book your child’s spot today! 

Summer camp season is just around the corner, and while many of our camps are fully booked, there are still a few spots available in some fun and exciting programs. Get your kid in on the fun! Consider an outdoor adventure camp, an enrichment camp (think STEM, AI and robotics) or our premier horseback riding camp, Camp Corral. Explore the 2024 Summer Camps Brochure and visit vaughan.perfectmind.com to register. Camps are one- or two-week sessions over the course of nine weeks beginning Tuesday, July 2.

Take a peek at the Summer Recreation eGuide for a variety of programs for residents of all ages and abilities. Highlights include:

• Family (parent and child): arts and crafts, toddler playtime, imaginative mindfulness, dance, STEM and summer pottery painting
• Preschool: drawing, outdoor mindfulness for little explorers, taekwondo, dance, natural habitats and their amazing plants and animals (STEM), coding, basketball and Vaughan Playschool summer programs (reading, writing and Italian)
• Children: art and drawing school, taekwondo, dance (hip hop), piano primer, robotics, STEM, archery, basketball, racquet sports, soccer and volleyball 
• Youth: taekwondo, computer programming (Python) and basketball training
• Adult: yoga, racquet sports and volleyball sports leagues
• Older Adult: low-impact fitness, learn-to-play pickleball, muscle conditioning and yoga
• Inclusion: respite and day programs offer a variety of fun activities, including sports, cooking, swimming and crafts, as well as opportunities to develop social skills and personal growth through dancing, problem-solving and goal-setting

The Vaughan Studios & Event Space, the City’s 9,000-square-foot recreation venue located within walking distance to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway Station, is also offering an array of summer programming, including STEM for kids aged three to six years and a Kids in the Kitchen: Summerlicious program for kids aged seven to 12 years who want to cook up some delicious summertime fare.

If you require assistance creating an online registration account or registering, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281, email rec@vaughan.ca or visit your local community centre.

For more information about summer camps and recreation programs, visit vaughan.ca/recreation. 

5. How do I dispute my parking ticket?

You can dispute a parking ticket online or by phone. Here’s how:

• Online: Complete the Administrative Monetary Penalty Screening form online and upload any supporting documents or photos within 15 days of receiving your ticket. You will need the Penalty Notice Number to complete the form. If you are not the registered vehicle owner, you will need to upload a letter of authorization to dispute a ticket on the owner’s behalf. The screening officer will review your online submission and provide a decision to you by email.

• Phone: Request a screening appointment within 15 days of receiving your ticket by emailing parking.permit@vaughan.ca or calling Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281. If you are not the registered vehicle owner, indicate so and provide a letter of authorization to dispute a ticket on the owner’s behalf. During your appointment time, you will receive a call to dispute your ticket. The screening officer will consider any evidence provided and issue a decision. 

If you do not contact the City – by submitting a dispute form online, emailing or calling within 15 days of receiving your ticket – the ticket will become due and payable. Learn more at vaughan.ca/parking. 

If you have questions about a City matter, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. 

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