July 12 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
Splish Splash

Our City of Markham Splash Pads are now open providing lots of fun and cooling for the kids (and maybe mom and dad too!). Get out there and enjoy the warm weather but continue to be safe.

At long last the Unionville Recycling Depot will reopen this week. City of Markham staff has been amazed at the volume of items that have come into their other recycling depots since being reopened a few weeks ago. Big applause to all residents who have saved their recyclables for proper disposal!

The Mandatory Mask Motion passed at Regional Council this past Thursday. It took 6 solid hours of discussion, but the motion passed unanimously. Apparently some other municipalities mask bylaws are being challenged in court. See details of the York Region order below.

On Monday, the Development Services Committee will decide on what to do about the 47 storey building application at 28 Main Street, Unionville. There are other options that maintain density but reduce height.

Get out and enjoy all that Markham has to offer ... cycling trails, restaurant patios, a walk through Milne park, shop the Main streets, read a book on a bench or sit in a rainbow chair in Tony Murphy Park!

Have a great week.


Click here to read the previous edition of
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
In this issue
- Happy Highlights
- Masks and the C19 Dashboard
- Cycling Scavenger Hunt
- Splash Pads are Now Open
- It's Patio Season
- Summer Programming
- Markham Life
- Gypsy Moth Infestation
- YRAC Update
- Varley Update
- Virtual Workshops
- Recycling Update
- Markham Apps
- YRFN Good Food Box
- Active Markham
- Trail Repairs
- We're Here For You
- MPL from Home
- Upcoming Meetings
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.
Looking for more information?

Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
Happy Highlights

This week an amazing group of youth volunteers, members of the Unionville Youth Council, along with their Community and Program Supervisor, Don Roe, Markham City staff, did an outdoor visit at Union Villa. The group donated sandwiches and were there to thank the Villa's front line staff for the incredible work that they do. The Villa would like to thank the group again for feeding their team and for making the great signs which have been posted for all staff to see.
Pictured here is Grace Choi, this year's recipient of the Varley Art Gallery's Wallace Joyce Scholarship. Mr. Joyce will continue to be remembered for his generous donation that allowed for the addition to the Varley Gallery. Grace is a graduate of Unionville High School's Visual Arts Program and will be pursuing a degree in animation at Sheridan College in the fall. Congratulations to Grace!

This week York Region Council passed a motion to make wearing a face mask or covering mandatory in enclosed spaces starting next Friday. Details here.

More information about masks can be found at York.ca/mandatorymasks. 

Do your part to stop the spread by practicing physical distancing, washing your hands thoroughly and wearing a 2-layer non-medical mask when physical distancing may be a challenge. Stay informed, visit york.ca/covid19.
York Region Public Health has information specific to our area - details here. T he information is broken down based on where the cases have been identified, how people have been infected, trends, testing facilities and more. You can see how Markham has been impacted by COVID-19. Facts and figures

The City's Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) p art of the Clean Air Partnership are making it fun for people to get outside and get active on their bikes this summer while maintaining physical distance through  Markham Cycles More . Until September 30, sign up for cycling challenges issued every two weeks to explore Markham by bike and share photos of your bike at designated photo stops on social media to be entered in a prize draw.
 
The inaugural theme is Markham’s Major Trails + One . From July 8 to July 23, visit any of the six major trails found on  Markham’s new cycling map :
  • the Berczy Park Bridge,
  • the Huntington Trail,
  • the Lake to Lake Trail in German Mills,
  • the Rouge National Urban Park (two locations: the Bob Hunter Park or the 19th Ave entrance), and
  • the Rouge Valley Trail Park (two locations: the bridge at Milne Dam or any bike repair station along the Rouge Valley trail).
The “+ One” refers to Enterprise Blvd, which is being opened only for cycling, walking and wheeling traffic on Sundays and statutory holidays throughout the summer, as part of Markham’s  Get Active  initiatives. Details and maps of exact photo stop locations can be found at  six-major-trails-plus-one . Participate in Markham Cycles More - details here .
  • Sign up and set a summer cycling goal - here
  • Explore Markham by bike and join the city-wide photo scavenger hunt. Eight photo stop locations are announced every two weeks. These are spread across Markham and connected to a theme. Participants ride to any of the photo stops, take a photo of their bike at the location and submit it on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) using #MarkhamCyclesMore and tagging @MarkhamCycles, or by email.
  • Submit a suggestion for improvements to Markham’s Cycling Network on social media or via e-mail. As the City continues to improve the trails, bike lanes and cycle tracks, City staff are looking for the public’s feedback on where infrastructure is missing and where adjustments and improvements can be made. 

Have fun this summer and pa rticipate in Markham Cycles More scavenger hunt. All submissions will be entered into a draw to win prizes from local Markham businesses. Draws will take place every two weeks, when a new theme and a new set of photo-stop locations will be announced. Details here

Markham's splash pads offer a great way to cool down during hot summer days. Pads are located at various locations throughout Markham. To conserve water, splash pads are activated by push buttons on site and are on timers. Hours of operation are from 8am to 8pm daily.
Planning a visit to a splash pad?

Updates and locations of splash pads can be found here .

Be aware of COVID-19 prevention guidelines and restrictions in place to keep everyone safe.

Markham has now officially launched the Patio Extension Program for bars, restaurants and retail businesses. Learn more

The weather has been hot and it is definitely patio season. Many local businesses have already expanded or are in the process of expanding their patios. It is a great time to support our hard hit local businesses and enjoy the summer weather on a local patio.

Learning, growing and staying active online, together (while apart)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Markham is offering a variety of fun, educational, creative and active virtual programs, workshops, and camps for all ages.

Programs, workshops, and camps may look a little different this season, you can expect the same great quality experience you are used to receiving. More information
The summer issue of Markham Life is now available. Read how City is staying together while apart during COVID-19 - here

Markham Life provides details about the City and is the parks and recreation guide highlighting all of the available programs. It also contains information Markham residents need to know about their municipality.
There are Gypsy Moth infestations in Markham with the largest concentrations in Ward 1 (Thornhill), Ward 3 (Unionville) and Ward 4 (Markham Village).
Outbreaks occur every 7-10 years.
You can remove the caterpillars or egg masses by scraping them into a bag, then sealing and disposing of it in the garbage.

Learn more about tree care at markham.ca/trees and in this FAQ on Gypsy Moths

Summer has definitely arrived and YRAC is busy with summer activities.

While the Gallery remains closed, they are doing their best to remain connected to the community and provide programming to the community.
  • over the course of 8 weeks, they provided a different Isolation Creation kits each week for resident to pick up at the Gallery and complete at home. The Varley also created kits for residents at local seniors homes to complete.
  • Varley summer camps are ready to go - each week campers will work on 5 engaging and educational art lessons - more information and registration can be found - here
  • announcing the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham’s summer virtual fundraiser. On Wednesday, August 19, join Love Local, a virtual step by step cooking class suitable for the whole family. Create a delicious four course meal that is full of healthy ideas and sustainable meals. Learn more
  • the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham would like your feedback. By participating in the survey, you will help the Varley-McKay Art Foundation make important decisions regarding their future fundraising events. These events raise money to support the Varley Art Gallery. Take the survey

The City has partnered with community agencies to provide free resources, programs and support to all residents during these challenging times. Some examples:
  • Setting Healthy Boundaries
  • Networking: Build Your Way to Employment
  • Neck Pain and Vertigo
  • Diabetes Prevention
Sign up for a free workshop.
Starting Monday July 13, the Unionville Recycling Depot will open.

The City thanks you for saving all your recyclables to dispose of properly.

There are new physical distancing protocols in place and limited parking. Try to choose a less busy time to come. Here's what you need to know about visiting all Recycling Depots - details

Th City has now added its COVID-19 Virtual Assistant to the Access Markham mobile app . It will help to provide reliable, consistent and accurate City of Markham based information about COVID-19 helping residents stay informed, safe and healthy as the City continues to reopen. 

In addition to COVID-19 information, the Access Markham mobile app also provides easy access to your recycling and garbage collection schedule with personalized notifications, a What-Goes-Where tool, Markham Life magazine, interactive maps for walking and cycling and more. The Access Markham mobile app can be downloaded - details here .

No smartphone? No problem. In addition to the COVID-19 Virtual Assistant, the City also offers a COVID-19 Telephone Assistant that can be reached at 1.833.926.0929.

Markham’s Contact Centre continues to respond to inquiries about municipal services and programs at  customerservice@markham.ca  and 905.477.5530, Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.

The Good Food Box program has recently expanded and there is now a pickup location in Markham at the Ebenezer United Church.

While the c ontents will change each time, the goal is 7-8 different types of veggies and fruit in each box for a cost of $16.

The next (contactless) pick up date is July 22nd. Orders must be placed by July 15th - here .
Get out and get active by cycling to Markham Centre along Enterprise Boulevard from Main Street Unionville and the Rouge Valley Trail System. Enterprise will be closed every Sunday and Statutory Holiday until Labour Day Weekend. Markham.ca/GetActive
Due to a major storm flooding in January 2020, a 1km portion of the Rouge Valley Trail between Markham Road and Tuclor Lane will be closed for repairs.

The work should start this week and is slated to be done by the end of the month. The trail will be closed while the work is being completed.

While the physical offices of the City are closed, Markham Economic Development and the Small Business Centre are still available and have moved their services virtually. Here is a sampling of some of the programs that they offer:

  • Markham was the first municipality to join the Canada-wide initiative, ShopHERE. This program will provide independent businesses and artists the opportunity to develop an online store, which will be built and launched with no fees charged to the business or artists, with support from marketing and business students. An estimated 8,312 Markham businesses and artists are eligible for the ShopHERE program. Learn more
  • MSBC and YSpace Innovators Series - next webinar is July 13 at 12pm - Staging the reopening - details on this event and the series here
  • ELLA Altitude - 4 month accelerator program for women - details
  • POST Promise - People Outside Safely Together - this is a self-declaration that a business is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It signifies a commitment to impletment and practice workplace safety - details
  • Webinar - Tourism and Hotel Industry - Slow Road to Recovery - July 15 at 1pm - details
  • Webinar - Why your business needs an online store - July 17 at 10am - details
  • Looking to start your own business? Learn what you need to know to get it off the ground - register

Last week was the first week that the Library offered curbside service and it was well received by the community. The staff is working hard to clear all the holds from before the closure, get prepared to accept returns and offer curbside pick on new holds starting this week (July 15). This means you will be able to borrow new books and return the ones that you have. More information.

The Library continues to offer many programs , suggested reading lists, tutoring, virtual meetups and other resources for both kids and adult s. Here's a sampling of what's going on:
  • Virtual Story Time - July 13 at 10am - details
  • Making Cent$ of Money: Budgeting 101 - July 13 at 7pm - register
  • Nutrition: Can I eat that? - July 14 at 7pm - register
  • Older Adult Social - Recipe Swap - July 15 at 1pm - register
  • What to read next - find a book

Want to keep the kids learning this summer? MPL is now offering Brainfuse – an online learning platform that provides one-on-one tutoring service for students Kindergarten to Grade 12. Details here
Upcoming Meetings
  • July 13 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
  • July 14 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
  • July 28 - Downtown Markham Secondary Plan - 7pm - details
  • July 30 - YR Special Council Meeting - details

All meeting are now being conducted electronically and Council members along with staff are participating remotely. All facilities remain closed. As always, m embers of the public are encouraged to participate in these meetings. Written deputations can be sent by email to  clerkspublic@markham.ca. If you would like to make a virtual deputation you can register here  or by phoning the Clerk's office at 905-477-7000 x3638. All meetings can be viewed online by clicking the details noted above.

We have been holding all meetings virtually including York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here . Details of upcoming YR meetings and past session information is available  here . 
Community Meetings and Events

As it stands now, most upcoming events have been cancelled.
Once new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.


I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
Working together to make Markham better!
Don Hamilton - City of Markham
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
905-415-7549
Connect with me