​Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has pledged that Vaughan residents will lose 100,000 pounds collectively as part of the CBC's Live Right Now initiative – a national program intended to motivate Canadians to unite and improve the health of the country. The Mayor's initiative was announced yesterday to kick off Parks and Recreation Month in June.

The City of Vaughan is partnering with Seeds For Change and York Region Food Network on a two-year community garden pilot project at Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service Station #7-1.

Vaughan's Public Works Department has won the Miller Cup for the fourth year in a row by placing first at the annual York Area Municipalities Public Works Week Challenge Event. The competition was part of National Public Works Week taking place from May 15 to 21.

​Complimentary drop-in activities are being offered at community centres and parks across Vaughan from June 1 to 30, 2011, in support of the provincial initiative “June is Recreation and Parks Month.” A variety of indoor and outdoor sports, fitness, creative and performing arts, and swimming programs are available for all ages and abilities.

​The opening of the fifth annual Vaughan Juried Exhibition – An Art Integration Project – will take place on Tuesday, May 31 at the City Playhouse Theatre, commencing at 7 p.m. The event features a month-long display of artwork by emerging and established visual artists from Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area.

Vaughan Council has announced the appointment of John MacKenzie, M.Sc.(Pl), MCIP, RPP as the City’s new Commissioner of Planning, effective June 13, 2011.

"On behalf of the City and Members of Council, I would like to welcome Mr. John MacKenzie to the City of Vaughan,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “With his wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, Mr. MacKenzie will be making a major contribution to the planning and continued growth of our great City.”

Residents recently joined Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of Freedom Trail Park which features the City's first neighbourhood-level skate park.

The City of Vaughan’s Public Works Department will be celebrating the 2011 National Public Works Week by inviting residents to attend the seventh annual Public Works Day event on May 14, 2011. National Public Works Week, May 15 to 21, 2011 highlights the essential services public works professionals provide residents.