Welcome

In August, we had many cultural and charity events hosted in our city including concerts in the Park,  Live in the Plaza,  Moonlight Movies, Craft Beer Festival and Uptown Asian Festival. etc. August is also the Emancipation Month. A flag-raising event was hosted in our city to commemorate this important month.

From community level:

• Ward 4 Food bank Drive Sep 13, 10am -5pm at FreshPro Foodmart.
• Mill Street traffic safety community meeting Sep 18, 7-9 pm at McCornaghy Senior Centre.
• Boulevard “Slow Down” Sign on Selwyn Road from Stocksbridge Avenue/Brightside Avenue to Tower Hill Road.

From regional level:

• York Region Transit (YRT) service changes will take effect on Sunday, August 31, 2025. 
• Safety improvements at  Stouffville Road and Bridgewater Drive.

From provincial level:

• 3 new hospice beds at Hill House Hospice.
• Yonge North Subway Extension updates.

Thank you!

Simon Cui

Richmond Hill Ward 4 Councillor

Cellphone: 437-326-0206

Website: https://simoncui.ca

Email: simon.cui@richmondhill.ca

Chapter 1 Incoming Events in September 2025:

September 6, 2025 Saturday Museum of the Streets

Enjoy a free, self-guided tour of the Village of Richmond Hill. Starting from Amos Wright Park (Richmond Hill Heritage Centre), participants journey across eleven heritage sites. Green signs direct participants through the streets of Old Richmond Hill. No registration required.

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Address: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church St North, L4C 3E6

September 6, 2025 Saturday From Petals to Prizes – Don’t Miss the RH Blooms ‘Garden Social’!

RICHMOND HILL – Everyone is invited to join us for an afternoon of gardening inspiration, eco-friendly fun and fabulous freebies!

Participants will have the chance to:

• Speak with a variety of exhibitors
• Take advantage of the free plant giveaway (while supplies last)
• Meet with fellow gardeners
• Play environmental games (and win prizes!)
• Purchase gardening related items, including backyard composters and plants (while supplies last)
• Enjoy free snacks

For more information, visit RichmondHill.ca/RHBlooms.

Date and time: Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 1 – 4 p.m.

Location: Richmond Green Park (1300 Elgin Mills Road East) – Picnic Shelter A 

September 6 and 7, 2025 Mill Pond Gallery - The Shape of Broken

This series began with a simple act: breaking plates. But what I discovered was deeply human. Even when no pieces are missing, they don’t always fit back the same. That invisible loss mirrors how we rebuild after pain; we continue, but something changes. These works are stories made visible, of grief, resilience, and transformation. In a world obsessed with wholeness, this is my truth: wholeness is a myth, but meaning survives the break.  There’s so much more waiting in the exhibition; new works I haven’t shared anywhere, and the full story behind each piece.

Date: September 6 and 7, 2025 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Address: Mill Pond Gallery, 314 Mill Street, Richmond Hill, L4C 4B5

Friday  Moonlight Movies

Every summer Richmond Hill hosts the Moonlight Movies event under the stars where attendees can enjoy a blockbuster or local film production shown on a large screen at one of our local parks! Join us for some pre-show fun and indulge in some delicious snacks and desserts at 6:30 p.m.

For movie listings and locations, please visit RichmondHill.ca/MoonlightMovies

• Friday, September 12, 2025 8:00 pm
• Friday, September 19, 2025 8:00 pm

Address: Various Park Locations, Richmond Hill

September 13 Saturday Tour the RHDDO - Fall Start

Enjoy self-guided Tours of Richmond Hill's very own national historic site. Explore the Administration Building and the Observatory Dome that houses Canada's largest telescope. In honour of the RHDDO's 90th Anniversary, be sure to check out exclusive artifacts from the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto on display for a limited time. And be sure to check out our gift shop to purchase a souvenir from your visit.  Free event. No registration required.

Date:  September 13 – October 26,  Saturdays and Sundays: 1 - 5 p.m.

Please Note: Tour the RHDDO will not be available September 6 and September 9

Address: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive, L4C 1T3

September 14, Saturday -  Village of Richmond Hill BIA's 6 Senses Wellness Expo

The 6 Senses Wellness Expo is a transformative day of wellness, discovery, and connection. À first-of-its-kind immersive experience that brings together local wellness experts, hands-on activities, and sensory-rich environments to help you reconnect with your body, mind, and community.

The purpose of this event is to encourage the Richmond Hill community to learn about the six senses—taste, touch, smell, sound, sight, and mind and body—and to give local Richmond Hill businesses the opportunity to introduce their products and services to potential customers. The event is open to people of all ages and is free to attend.

Participants are encouraged to register at the link here: https://richmondhillbia.com/event/6-senses-wellness-expo/

Date: September 14, Saturday- 11am to 4pm

Address: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Theatre in the Lexus Suite and in the lobby.

September 14, Saturday - LoveMax Charity Festival for NorthStar Special Needs Society 

Free Admission for public, including: 

• Summer Market / Charity Art
• Exhibitions / Outdoor Yoga
• Pet Party / Kids Zone / Jumping Castle
• Performances
• Camping BBQ / Sunset Concert
• Charity Raffle

Date: September 14, 2025, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Address:  Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park

September 16, 2025  Richmond Hill Mentoring Plus - Volunteer Information Session 

The Mentoring Plus Strategy is an intergenerational initiative that draws on the knowledge, experience, and skills of our retired or near-retired 55+ population to mentor and support young adults, 16+ years of age with personal growth and career exploration. This initiative connects mentors with Richmond Hill High School students and is ideally suited for community members who are interested in becoming volunteer mentors to share their career and personal experiences while supporting today's youth through knowledge exchange. Join us to learn more about this exciting initiative. Please register to reserve your spot. https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/127908?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

REGISTRATION CODE: 133143

Date: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16,  10 - 11:30 A.M

Address: ROUGE WOODS COMMUNITY CENTRE 

September 20, 2025 Saturday Afternoon Tea

Come together for a memorable afternoon tea surrounded by captivating entertainment, history and the enchanting gardens of Amos Wright Park. Guests are treated to a selection of dainty sandwiches, scones served with our special heritage cream and preserves, and sweet treats prepared especially for the occasion.

Visit our Afternoon Teas webpage to reserve your spot today! https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/learn-more/Afternoon-Tea.aspx

Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Address: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church St North, L4C 3E6

September 21, 2025 Sunday ArtWalk 2025

The Richmond Hill ArtWalk is a free, one-day indoor and outdoor artist and artisan marketplace at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. This event is free of charge for visitors. Explore original works from dozens of local artists and artisans showcasing creative, unique, handcrafted pieces across a range of artforms and mediums. Get your holiday shopping done early this year at Richmond Hill's annual art sale!

Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Address: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

September 23, 2025 Tuesday 55+ Stratford Festival: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Join us for a day trip to Stratford leaving from the McConaghy Centre by deluxe coach!  Both members and non-members are welcome aged 55+.

Lawrence Jameson is no stranger to the high life—he’s lived it for years by separating lonely rich ladies from their fortunes in a swanky Riviera town. When he and his chief competitor in the con business, Freddy Benson, make a bet to swindle an heiress out of $50,000, the professional scoundrels soon discover they may not always be the smartest people in the room. Inspired by the hit 1988 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the musical comedy earned 11 Tony Award nominations for its hilarious hijinks and frivolity—beautifully reminiscent of an earlier age.

Lunch is included at Demtre's Family Eatery in Stratford. Restaurant prior to the show. Meal Selection required at time of booking. Please call 905-737-1818.

Tickets first come, first serve. Purchase your ticket by September 1, 2025. No refunds will be issued after September 1, 2025

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/123422?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true&_ga=2.252485775.782138602.1755701486-341443219.1738424615

Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 9:00 am - 7:30 pm

Address: McConaghy Centre, 10100 Yonge St.

September 24, 2025 Wednesday 55+ Coffee Chat: History of Combat in North America

In this fascinating historical look at North American history, we will explore the various battles and tactics used to establish great empires long before colonization. The Apache were defeated by the Comanche and the Cree and Blackfoot had many battles. Their fighting styles were based not only on horsemanship, but also highly developed martial arts as complex as karate is today. In this talk we will also explore the early battles with the Vikings and the removal of Nordic invaders. There are stories preserved in the Bloomfield Collection and other authorized sources that we will use to access and verify the events. This seminar is designed to appreciate the First Nations people who lived here. Before the white man came there were 100 million indigenous people. This is their story of how they established territory, repaid injustice and established great nations. It presents a realistic view of early North America and human nature and a hope that we will see the military brilliance of the First Nations people.  

Complimentary refreshments will be provided; and the opportunity to join in on interactive games where participants will get to know fellow members of the community.  

Register starting on Tuesday August 19th at 7am.  Open to residents of Richmond Hill aged 55 or more.  No membership needed.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/128318?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true&_ga=2.226723099.782138602.1755701486-341443219.1738424615

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Address: McConaghy Centre, 10100 Yonge St.

September 27,  2025 Saturday Live History at the RHDOO - In Time!

Work with the actors portraying Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory founders and Astronomers of our past. Explore the Administrative Building and Dome while trying to solve clues and complete your selected tasks. This interactive experience that has escape room, quest, and theatre elements. The clock is ticking. Lives could be at stake; history could be changed. The whole world rests on your shoulders, and time is running out. 

Pre-registration is required.

https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&days_of_week=0000000&activity_select_param=2&open_spots=1&date_after=2025-03-31&activity_keyword=Live%20History&viewMode=list

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Address: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive, L4C 1T3

September 28, 2025 Sunday  Tree Planting - Carrville Park

Get your gardening gloves ready and join LEAF and the City of Richmond Hill, for an afternoon of fun planting native trees and shrubs in Carrville Park. Bring your friends and family to lend a helping hand in improving Richmond Hill’s urban forest!

Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Planting event will take place from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please wear:

• Closed-toed shoes or boots – no sandals, please!
• Gardening gloves, if you have them (we will have extras)
• Appropriate clothing – the event runs rain or shine

Register for this tree planting session.

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

Address: Carrville Park - 141A Castle Rock Drive

Chapter 2 Community, City and Regional Service Changes

Community Services:

Mill Street traffic safety community meeting Sep 18, 7-9pm

My office has been engaged by a few residents living near to Mill Pond area who have the traffic safety and traffic calming solution concerns, I have invited our city traffic team to have a public meeting to discuss what solutions city has put in place and what will be future solution to restrict the traffic near Mill Street and nearby streets too.  The meeting will be in person, and I'm looking forward to meeting you soon!

Date: Sep 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m. 

Venue: McConaghy Centre, Craft Room. 

Installation of Boulevard “Slow Down” Sign on Selwyn Road from Stocksbridge Avenue/Brightside Avenue to Tower Hill Road.

This fall, the City will be installing new “Slow Down” boulevard signs along your street between Stocksbridge Avenue/Brightside Avenue and Tower Hill Road.

These signs are an important reminder for drivers to be more mindful when travelling through our neighbourhoods. They’re not just signs—they’re part of our shared effort to make our streets safer and more comfortable for everyone, especially children, families and pedestrians.

This project is part of a City-wide pilot program to promote traffic safety. Over the next year, we’ll be monitoring the impact of the signs and gathering input from residents to see how well they work.

Installation will be completed before the end of September 2025 (weather permitting).

Thank you for being an active partner in helping us make Richmond Hill streets safer. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to our Traffic Safety and Operations team at traffic.inquiries@richmondhill.ca or visit RichmondHill.ca/Traffic to learn more.

Ward 4 Food bank Drive Sep 13, 10am -5pm at FreshPro Superstore.

Collaborated with FreshPro Foodmart, we will host our ward 4 food bank drive event to support the residents who need help. Your generosity can help nourish the lives of those in need. 

Join us for a food drive dedicated to supporting families and individuals facing food insecurity in our community. We have worked with FreshPro Foodmart to provide food donation bags ($10 each) for you to purchase onsite.

Type of  food:

• Canned Food
• Boxed Cereal
• Soups and Stews
• Nut Butters, Jam
• Dried Pasta

All the donations will support Richmond Hill Food Bank/

Date: Sep 13 Saturday 10 am - 5 

Location: FreshPro Foodmart Entrance,  10488 Yonge St, Richmond Hill 

Regional Service: 

York Region Transit (YRT) service changes will take effect on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

Schedule and route adjustments will be made to various routes to align with customer demand, including:   

• Route 4 – Major Mackenzie will be revised, and new Route 6 – Major Mackenzie will be introduced to serve areas west of Major Mackenzie West Terminal and the growing community of Nashville Heights
• Route 32 – Aurora South will no longer provide limited service along Yonge Street, Dunning Avenue and Edward Street due to the relocation of Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School to 11 Spring Farm Road
• Route 50 –- Queensway will divert along Jim Mortson Drive to serve the new Health and Active Living Plaza in Queensville as part of a one-year trial period
• Route 87 – Autumn Hill will be revised to travel via Confederation Parkway and Peter Rupert Avenue, ending at Maple GO Station
• Routes 91 and 91A –- Bayview will be combined into Route 91 – Bayview, with Sunday/holiday service introduced for travellers on Woodriver Street and Subrisco Avenue
• Various frequency improvements to 33 - Wellington-Leslie, 54 – Bayview, 57 – Mulock and 165 – Weston
• On-Request Kleinburg–Nashville will be expanded to include the new subdivision at the southeast corner of Teston Road and Pine Valley Drive
• On-Request King and On-Request Gormley services will be consolidated into the On-Request North-Central service area, which will feature improved service including: 
• New service to the Vandorf employment area and the community of Preston Lake, with connections to Bloomington GO Station and Aurora
• New weekday non-rush hour and weekend service in the Township of King
• New weekday non-rush hour and weekend service in the community of Gormley
• New service between Oak Ridges and the Gormley and Bloomington GO stations
• On-Request Stouffville service hours will be expanded to operate Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

High School Specials will be reinstated for the 2025/2026 school year, with additional changes made to the following School Specials:

• Route 406 – Markham District School Special via Bur Oak will be discontinued due to low ridership
• Route 414 – St. Katharine Drexel School Special will have an additional afternoon trip to meet growing ridership
• Routes 426 and 428 – Dr. G.W. Williams School Specials will be restructured to service the school's relocation to 11 Spring Farm Road
• Routes 429, 433, 434 and 436 - Cardinal Carter School Specials will be restructured to improve efficiency and alignment with student demand and updated bell times
• Route 431 – Aurora School Special via McClellan will be introduced to serve students at Aurora High School. Route 432 - Aurora School Special via Mavrinac will be restructured
• Route 463 – St. Joan of Arc School Special via Keele will be introduced to serve Ravineview Drive and Keele Street to/from St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School
• Route 469 – Father Bressani School Special will be restructured to serve students living in the community of Vellore, travelling via Fossil Hill Road, Vellore Avenue, Canada Drive and Vellore Woods Boulevard. One new morning trip will be introduced

For more information visit yrt.ca/ServiceChanges. Details will be available online starting August 11. This information is being provided to you in advance of notification to the general public. Travellers will be informed of these changes through notices posted at bus stops (attached), on-bus, terminal and vivastation announcements, media advisory, YRT Contact Centre, yrt.ca and social media @YRTViva. 

If you have any questions about these initiatives, please contact:  

• Richard Montoya, Director, Transit Operations, York Region Transit, at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75928 or Richard.Montoya@york.ca  
• Tamas Hertel, Manager, Service Planning, York Region Transit, at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76047 or Tamas.Hertel@york.ca  
• For general inquiries, please contact the YRT Contact Centre at 1-866-668-3978 or via email at transitinfo@york.ca.  

Safety improvements for travellers Fall 2025 Stouffville Road and Bridgewater Drive 

York Region is implementing new safety measures at the intersection of Stouffville Road and Bridgewater Drive, including:

• Installing speed reduction pavement markings and an overhead intersection flashing light to encourage drivers to slow down
• Relocating the stop bar pavement marking and stop sign to increase visibility As outlined in York Region’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan, these improvements enhance the safety of all road users.

For more information, visit york.ca/IntersectionSafety

Provincial Service:

Ontario Taking Next Steps to Build Yonge North Subway Extension

There was an announcement from Premier Ford  and Minister Sarkaria regarding the awarding of a contract to design and build the twin tunnels for Yonge North Subway Extension. The contract has been awarded to North End Connectors, who will design and construct the extension’s tunnels. The contract also includes early works construction of support headwalls for future stations and emergency exit buildings. Once complete, the Yonge North Subway Extension will accommodate over 90,000 daily trips.

“The Yonge North Subway Extension is a critical part of our $70 billion investment to build public transit in communities across Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As we get shovels in the ground on this critical project, we’re helping keep thousands of workers on the job and we’re building the infrastructure that will boost Ontario’s economy and help thousands of York Region commuters get where they need to go faster and more conveniently.”

The contract has been awarded to North End Connectors, who will design and construct the extension’s tunnels. The contract also includes early works construction of support headwalls for future stations and emergency exit buildings. Once complete, the Yonge North Subway Extension will accommodate over 90,000 daily trips.

3 new hospice beds at Hill House Hospice

Ontario Expanding Access to Palliative Care in Richmond Hill 3 new hospice beds in Richmond Hill will connect more people to end-of-life care close to home. 

The Ontario government is connecting more people in York Region to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care, close to their community and loved ones by adding 3 new hospice beds at Hill House Hospice. This is part of an expansion of 84 new adult hospice beds across the province announced earlier this year, bringing the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in Ontario to 768.

Once opened, these new adult hospice beds will bring the total number of  beds at Hill House Hospice to 6. As a next step, the ministry is working with Hill House Hospice to complete early planning and design for this project. Once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded, construction schedule will be confirmed.

“For nearly three decades, Hill House Hospice has provided families across Richmond Hill with comprehensive and compassionate palliative care,” said Daisy Wai, MPP for Richmond Hill. “I am grateful for this three-bed investment from the Ministry of Health which will allow the hospice to expand its  services and care for loved ones closer to home. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the staff, board members, and volunteers at Hill House Hospice for continuing to serve our community with dignity, empathy, and respect.”

“Hill House Hospice is a place of compassion, dignity, and comfort for people and families facing life’s most challenging moments. By adding three new beds, we can ensure more neighbours receive care closer to the people and community they love. This investment is part of our government’s commitment to connecting Ontarians to the highest quality of palliative care in a setting that feels safe, familiar, and supportive.” - Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill.

“This expansion means more families in Richmond Hill will have access to the compassionate, high-quality care offered by Hill House Hospice. I’ve proudly supported their campaign to increase hospice beds, and I’m grateful to the Provincial government and the Ministry of Health for investing in our community. Hill House Hospice’s home-like setting and focus on both patient and family needs make it a vital part of our local health care system. Today marks a meaningful step forward in ensuring care is available close to home—at every stage of life.” – David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill