Councillor Castro Liu -Community Update - August 2023
Dear Ward 3 Residents,
I hope you are enjoying your summer! Here is your August Community Update.
Looking for volunteer opportunities?
Ward 3 is recruiting volunteers of all ages to serve the community in various activities during the 2023/24 academic year. These opportunities include:
· Electronic Waste Recycle Day (September)
· Food Bank (November or May)
· Spring Clean Up Events (April)
· Annual Ward 3 BBQ (June)
· And more!
Help Richmond Hill community in a meaningful way and at the same time earn valuable experiences! This is also a great opportunity to know your neighbourhood and obtain your high school volunteer hours.
Please sign up to register your interest - https://forms.gle/
Things to do this August in Richmond Hill
Join us each week to enjoy the sweet sounds of summer. Check out the exciting line up of free concerts and live music listed below, as part of our 2023 Summer Series of events.
For more information: https://www.richmondhill.ca/
Concert in the Park
Date: Thursday evenings until August 24
Location: Mill Pond Park
Time: 7p.m. - 9 p.m.
Live at Plaza
Date: Tuesday evenings
Location: Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts
*Please note, the show will move indoors to the Plaza Suite in case of inclement weather*
Time: 7p.m. - 9 p.m.
Open Mic Night
Date: Wednesday evenings
Location: Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts
*Please note, the show will move indoors to the Plaza Suite in case of inclement weather*
Time: 7p.m. - 9 p.m.
Calling all musicians of any age, genre or instrument, this is your chance to perform in front of a live audience. Show up to Open Mic Night at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts and sign-up to perform that same evening. For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Intersection Improvements – 16th Avenue & Spadina Rd/Valleymede Drive
Improvements include:
- Rebuilding existing traffic signals and upgrading the intersection to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requirements
- Installing temporary traffic signals while existing signals are rebuilt
- Installing zebra crosswalk markings to help enhance the visibility of the crosswalk
Duration: July 2023 to December 2023
Impacts to travelers:
- Temporary lane reductions weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Access for emergency vehicles and to homes and businesses will be maintained
- Safety is a priority; please slow down through construction areas
As with all construction projects, work may be rescheduled due to weather. York Region will provide advance notice where possible.
Highway 404 Road Crossing Improvement Project - Between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive
Improvements include:
- Widening, extending and connecting Orlando Avenue in the City of Richmond Hill and Markland Street in the City of Markham, providing a new four-lane road over Highway 404 and the Rouge River
- Extending Cachet Woods Court to connect to the newly constructed road crossing
- Constructing a bridge over Highway 404 and a bridge over the Rouge River
- Installing sidewalks, multi-use pathways and landscaping
- Caring for the environment by planting thousands of native trees and plants, stabilizing and naturalizing the river and improving storm water quality
Impacts to travelers:
- Lane reductions will be required during off-peak hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Night work and lane closures may be required on Regional roads, local roads, and Highway 404
General Inquiries:
York Region Transportation, Public Works
Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75000
TTY: 1-866-512-6228
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
City of Richmond Hill Job Fairs – September 12 and 14
City of Richmond Hill is hiring facility attendants, lifeguards and swim instructors, skate patrol, skate instructors, fitness instructors and coaches, school crossing guards, ushers, outdoor adventure staff, inclusion support staff, sports program monitors, program instructors for basketball and volleyball, sports convenors and more.
Drop by to learn about the wide variety of part-time opportunities available with the City – and apply on the spot!
Tuesday, September 12 (3p.m. - 7 p.m.) at Elgin West Community Centre 11099 Bathurst Street
Thursday, September 14 (5p.m. - 8 p.m.) at McConaghy Centre 10100 Yonge Street
Fall Program Registration starts Wednesday, August 30
Starting today, fall programs are available for viewing online!
This season we have jam packed our centres with your favorite programs as well as new and innovative programs for all ages!
Save time on registration day by creating your program wish list and then on August 30 (registration day) simply check out!
Registered Recreation Programs - City of Richmond Hill
6 Unique parks to visit this August in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is full of unique and award winning amenities for everyone to discover and enjoy. From themed playgrounds to one-of-a-kind experiences, be sure to check out some of these remarkable places while summer is still here.
1) Embrace the changing seasons at David Hamilton Park
David Hamilton Park (311 Valleymede Drive) has something for everyone! The newly renovated park, inspired by the four seasons, includes two playgrounds, a splash pad, a walking loop and pathway with themed light installations, a multi-use court, sports fields and outdoor fitness equipment. Children can enjoy the beach-themed playground, and test their balance and bravery limits on the log climbing structure or cool off in the summer-themed splash pad. Be sure to keep an eye out for the poetry and other features that pay tribute to all four seasons.
2) Discover the magic of a life-size kaleidoscope at Bradstock Park
Inspired by the wonderful, dynamic patterns created by kaleidoscopes, Bradstock Park (194A Driscoll Road) is a unique and wonder-filled play experience for everyone. Walk or run through the life-size kaleidoscope tunnel. The reflections generated by its mirrored surfaces create a delightful interplay of light, shape, colour and a cool photo opp! Discover the teleidoscope viewing apparatus, climb, swing and slide on the playground structures and explore the geometrical concrete paving patterns throughout the park.
3) Enjoy Crosby Park without boundaries
Crosby Park (161 Newkirk Road) is Richmond Hill’s first fully accessible park and was designed for all residents to enjoy recreation without boundaries. The playground area, which is entirely accessible without steps, is one of the largest inclusive playground structures in Ontario. The gently sloping ramps enable children of all ages and abilities to access all levels of the play area and experience the feeling of being high off the ground. Children can cool off in the fully accessible frog pond themed water play area and experience the joy of playing in the rain with the rain wall feature. The park also includes accessible board game tables, extra wide gently sloping trails, a sensory garden and more!
4) Experience the outdoors at Phyllis Rawlinson Park
Phyllis Rawlinson Park (11715 Leslie Street), Richmond Hill's largest Oak Ridges Moraine park, is the perfect place for outdoor events of all sorts, from family reunions to relaxing picnics for two. Take a walk around the ponds and through the forest or let your dog run free in the off leash area. You can also participate in outdoor education and adventure programs, as well as environmental activities, which the City runs on-site through The Robert Holland Interpretive Centre and the historic George Forster House.
5) Celebrate Canada at Morgan Boyle Park
Morgan Boyle Park (5 B Pearson Avenue) was redesigned as a tribute to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. The park’s eye-catching stainless steel canopy, decorated with maple leaves, includes 13 waves to symbolize Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories. As you cool off at the splash pad, notice the provincial symbols carved into lens rings that move with the wind. Red elements in the play equipment and the red clad mechanical building reinforce the theme and a decorative metal installation displays Canada’s birthdate. The park also includes a sports field, tennis courts, softball diamond and ample parking.
6) Spot a piece of Richmond Hill history at Russell Tilt Park
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors at Russell Tilt Park (79 Blackforest Drive). Just a short walk from Oak Ridges Library, visitors can take stroll on the 1.1 km walking trail, play a game of tennis, relax underneath the shade structure while children play in the playground or cool off in the splash pad. Located on what used to be the Hughey family farm, you can spot a windmill similar to what was used to power a well on the farm, until the land was purchased by the City. Parts from the original windmill were salvaged from the farm, refurbished, and incorporated into the park design as a reminder of the land’s historic use.
Please help keep our parks clean
Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy these places, but please, leave no traces – stay on established trails, pick up after your pet and do not litter.
Follow us on Instagram @myRichmondHill and tag us in your pics or use the hashtag #myRichmondHill for the chance to be featured.
For more unique and award-winning parks in Richmond Hill, visit RichmondHill.ca/ParksSho
Best Regards,
Councillor Castro Liu, Ward 3
City of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road,
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4
T: 905 771-5497 | F: 905 771 2500 | e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.