Parks

Southview Park is getting an upgrade – and work has already begun to replace aging features and better serve the community!

Work is being carried out in two phases:
 

Phase 1 – currently underway! 

• Existing double tennis courts are being renewed to include LED lighting and pickleball lines.
• New pathways are being created. 
• An accessible seating area with benches is being installed beside the tennis courts.
• New games tables are being installed.
• Drainage improvements are being undertaken.

Phase 2 – to begin late 2024

• Existing bocce courts will be replaced with a new full-size basketball court.
• The swing set will be replaced with a new one that includes accessible seating. It will also be moved beside the existing playground to create a larger play area with engineered wood fibre safety surfacing and a new accessible ramp.
• Pathway improvements will remove the existing step into the play area.
• The gazebo will be replaced and relocated closer to a central area in the park, beside the playground.

• The existing ball hockey court will be removed and replaced with an open lawn area.

   

Construction is being co-ordinated to minimize disruptions to the community. All park impacts will be communicated to the public in advance. The park is anticipated to reopen to the community in September 2025. Thank you for your patience while work is underway! 
 

Want to learn more about what we have planned for Southview Park? Review our plans online (PDF).

As part of the City of Vaughan’s Vellore Woods Community Improvements Program, compensation funding generated from local development will be allocated towards improving the area. This includes ecological restoration, natural area enhancements and upgrades to existing parks and trails – all to make the community more sustainable, enjoyable and accesible for current and future generations. The program focus area is bounded by Major Mackenzie Drive to the north, Weston Road to the west, Rutherford Road to the south and Highway 400 to the east. 

Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming…

• Trail improvements within the Vellore Tract Woodlot (100 Vellore Woods Boulevard) will include adding rest areas, interperative signs and an accessible boardwalk. 
• Restoration planting and ecological enhancements such as new planting within the following five parks throughout the community: Vellore Heritage Park (9541 Weston Rd.), Vellore Woods Park (335 Vellore Woods Blvd.), Hawstone Park (80 Hawstone Rd.), Starling Park (131 Starling Blvd.) and Comdel Park (60 Comdel Blvd.), as well as ecological enhancements to the existing natural areas within Vellore Woods.
• Adding a new shade structure to Hawstone Park is also planned to provide a gathering space for spectators of the existing sports fields. 

An in-person Open House was held on Aug. 15, thank you to everyone who participated. Materials from the Open House are available online (PDF).

We're making improvements to local parks!

Playground improvements are coming to Mill Arbour Park (20 Mill Arbour Lane), Promenade Green Park (25 Carl Tennan St.), Anthony Locilento Park (351 Velmar Dr.), Parwest Parkette, Killian-Lamar Parkette and George Stegman Park. Work is scheduled to begin in September and be completed by late 2024, pending weather and site conditions. Improvements include:

• new inclusive playground equipment with engineered wood fibre safety surfacing and accessible ramp into the play area.

• seating opportunities. 

   

Playground improvements and a new shade structure are coming to Blue Willow Square (99 Blue Willow Dr.). Work is scheduled to start in early September. The playground improvements are anticipated to be complete by late 2024, and the new shade structure installed in spring 2025, pending weather and site conditions. Improvements include:

• new inclusive playground equipment with engineered wood fibre safety surfacing and accessible ramp into the play area.

• new shade structure with seating opportunities.

   

Pathway and shade structure improvements are coming to Crofters Park (225 Crofters Rd.). Work is scheduled to begin in early September. The pathway improvements are anticipated to be completed by late 2024, and the new shade structure installed in spring 2025, pending weather and site conditions. Improvements include:

• new concrete pathways.

• new shade structure with seating.

   

Basketball court improvements are coming to Wilson Century Theatre Park (20 Milano Ave.). Work is scheduled to start in September and be completed by spring 2025, pending weather and site conditions. 

Improvements are coming to Father Ermanno Bulfon Park (199 Forest Dr.) with the replacement of the rubber tile surfacing at both playground areas.  Work will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 3 and is anticipated to be completed by Tuesday, Oct. 1, weather and site conditions pending. The adjacent splashpad will remain open as per the City’s fall schedule. With the construction closure of the playgrounds, the public can use the following nearby playgrounds, including:

• Mapes Park, located at 190 Mapes Ave.
• Michael Barrasso Park, located at 131 Morning Star Dr.
• Crestlawn Park, located at 31 Crestlawn Gate 
• Wilson Century Theatre Park, located at 20 Milano Ave.

• Rainbow Creek Park, located at 5450 Highway 7 

   

Portions of the parks will be closed during construction to safely complete these improvements. Signs will be in place to guide visitors. Questions about the work can be directly to Alexis Moxley, Project Manager, via email at Alexis.Moxley@vaughan.ca.

 Want to learn more about park improvements across the city? Visit the park improvements webpage.

StoryWalk returns to Vaughan trails!

StoryWalk is back by popular demand, with five new Canadian children’s books for families to explore! 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. For more details, visit vaughanpl.info/storywalk.

Learn more about Ironstone Square!

Located at 5 Bass Pro Mills Dr., this urban neighbourhood park is the latest part of a phased residential development in the Vaughan Mills community. The park is 1.6 hectares in size, bounded by Fishermens Way to the northwest, Jane Street to the east, the recent extension of Bass Pro Mills Drive to the south and a future extension to Romina Drive to the west. It is also conveniently located southeast of the Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre and a major transit hub that connects to the mall at Riverock Gate and Fishermens Way. 

Want to learn more about what we have planned for Ironstone Square? Review our plans online (PDF).