In July, there are many important date acknowledged by the Ontario government (https://www.ontario.ca/laws): 

• Egyptian Heritage Month
• Tibetan Heritage Month
• Somali Heritage Week 

2025 July 1st was the 158th National Holiday.  Richmond Hill’s annual Canada Day celebrations featured a day full of live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, artist exhibits, midway and one of the best fireworks displays in York Region.  There were also  many free outdoor entertainment events for the entire community to enjoy including  Concerts in the Park at Mill Pond , Ribfest at Richmond Green , LIVE in the Plaza etc. 

From city level:

• Richmond Hill invests in local arts and culture with 26 new grants for 2025.
• Additional indoor pickleball courts will be available starting July 10 at Elgin Barrow and Bond Lake Arenas.
• Plan the future of the east beaver creek and hwy 7 area together. 

From regional level:

• 19th Avenue Improvements  from Bayview Avenue to Leslie Street 

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 August 2025:

Artists in Residence - Mill Pond Gallery

Each Tuesday throughout July and August, members of the Richmond Hill Group of Artists will begin a one week residency in the Mill Pond Gallery.   Would you like to see how artists create their work? Drop in often to see the works in progress, talk to our artists and enjoy the work on display at the gallery.

• Friday, August 1, 2025 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Saturday, August 2, 2025 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Sunday, August 3, 2025 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Tuesday, August 5, 2025 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Wednesday, August 6, 2025 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Thursday, August 7, 2025 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Friday, August 8, 2025 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Saturday, August 9, 2025 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Sunday, August 10, 2025 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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

Aug 2 Standing in the Doorway - Exhibit

We commemorate and remember the contributions of Chinese Canadians over the past 100 years since the Chinese Exclusion Act. Explore, learn, and listen to the stories, traditions and knowledge of the diverse Chinese Canadian community from York Region.

Saturday, August 2, 2025 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

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

Stargazing Party

Observe the night sky at David Dunlap Observatory Park! Join us at sunset to learn how to use star charts and basic observing techniques, then use your binoculars to follow a guided tour through the night sky.

• Monday, August 4, 2025 8:30 pm
• Tuesday, August 12, 2025 8:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 13, 2025 8:30 pm

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.

• Tuesday, August 5, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, August 19, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, August 26, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

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

Stewardship event: 

Join the City of Richmond Hill and get outside to help maintain newly planted trees! Together, we’ll mulch trees and pull invasive plants to help these young trees grow into a forest.  This event will take place on Thursday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Students can receive community service hours for participation. Students are responsible for bringing their own forms for tracking community service hours.

Age Range: Participants must be 14 years of age or older.

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
• Please bring multiple filled water bottles (there will be no water refill station on site).

Email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca to register, walk-ins will not be accepted.

• Thursday, August 7, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Tree Care - David Dunlap Observatory Park
• Thursday, August 14, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Tree Care & Invasive Species Removal - Carrville Park, 141A Castle Rock Drive, Richmond Hill ON

Aug 12 Live in the Plaza

Richmond Hill hosts several live concert events throughout the community that are part of our Summer Series and feature an exciting line-up of performers, tribute bands and local talent.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Address: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (Outdoor Plaza), 10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7

Aug 16 Saturday : Let’s Make Beer Fest a Success – Support Hill House!

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Beer Fest event in support of Hill House — a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a great evening while supporting a meaningful cause. This event promises excellent craft brews, food, live music, and good company — all in aid of Hill House’s vital community work.

Date: Saturday, August 16th 2025 , 4 PM - 11 PM

Venue: Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts,  10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7

For event details, please refer to our website: [https://www.rotarybeertasting.com/]

Concerts in the Park

Richmond Hill hosts several live concert events throughout the community that are part of our Summer Series and feature an exciting line-up of performers, tribute bands and local talent.

• Thursday, August 14, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Thursday, August 21, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Thursday, August 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

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!

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

• Monday, August 18, 2025 8:00 pm
• Monday, August 25, 2025 8:00 pm

Address: Various Park Locations, Richmond Hill

• Tuesday, August 19, 2025 7:00 am
• Resident Registration Date: Tuesday, August 19
• Non-Resident Registration Date: Tuesday, August 26

Aug 20 Southlake's Summer P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-Related Trauma in Youth)

Looking for something meaningful for your teens to do this summer? Join the Southlake Health Trauma Team at our Summer P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) Program! Registration is now open and spaces are limited. Two dates available: July 30th and August 20th.

Designed for high school students (Grades 9-12), the P.A.R.T.Y. Program educates youth on the potential outcomes of risk-related behaviours, including substance use, distracted driving, and other high-risk choices, empowering them to make safer, more responsible decisions for themselves and those around them. Students will hear from our community presenting partners: York Regional Police, York Paramedic Services, Central York Fire, and our Trauma Ambassador.

Students will leave the P.A.R.T.Y. Program Stop the Bleed certified with the option to add-on CardiacCrash - hands-only CPR and AED use awareness training.

Pizza lunch and light snacks will be provided.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Address: 581 Davis Dr. Newmarket

Chapter 2 Community, City and Regional Service Changes

City Services:

Richmond Hill invests in local arts and culture with 26 new grants for 2025

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill is proud to support community groups, organizations and individuals working to enhance the city’s vibrancy and quality of life. As part of the 2025 Community and Cultural Grant program, Council has approved funding for 26 initiatives, totaling $99,878.

Congratulations to the City’s 2025 recipients:

• Aryton Spence – The Healing Circle
• Canadian Asian Heritage Association – Uptown Asian Festival
• Canadian Literacy Association of Higher Education – The Richmond Hill Circle
• Canadian Senior Cooperation Association – Unity in Diversity
• Carol Choi – Moonlit Harmony
• Community and Home Assistance for Seniors (CHATS) – Home Well
• Greg Chiykowski – Ink Spots of Richmond Hill: Kitchen Compost
• Hellenic Canadian Community of York – Seniors Connection Initiative
• High Notes Avante Productions – Sing-Along for Mental Health
• ICTC Youth Foundation – Thrive Together: One-Day Youth Wellness Retreat
• International Psychology Association of Canada – Mental Health & Heritage
• Inventor Academy – Connected Creators: Seniors Learning by Making
• Katya Kuznetsova (Dance Together) – Dance Together Seniors
• Luminis Choir – Richmond Hill Vocal Arts Festival Gala
• Mastermind Dragon Robotic Inc. – The Climate Deck: Create, Trade, Protect
• Natasha Khan – Natasha Khan Resilient by Nature
• Play Forever – Thrive Youth Mentorship
• Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra – Pops on Parade and Holiday Spirit
• Richmond Hill Winter Carnival – Richmond Hill Winter Carnival
• Shadowpath Theatre – Echoes of Bond Lake - The Lost Hotel
• Shawn Heydari – Unmasking Identity
• The Village of Richmond Hill BIA – 6 Sense Wellness Symposium
• Toronto Asian Arts Museum – Knots of Culture: Weaving Heritage into Community  
• Yellow Brick House – RISE: Richmond Hill Inspires Social Empowerment 
• York Community Tamil Seniors Association – YCTSA Celebrates Rich-Culture Fest 
• York South Family Network – First York Region Disability Holiday Vendor Market

A record 58 applications were received this year! Grants support initiatives that take place within a 12-month period, with recipients eligible for up to 50% of total project costs (to a maximum of $5,000). 

Applications were reviewed by a panel of three staff and three community residents through a three-step process: 

1. Determining applicant, project and expense eligibility
2. Ranking eligible projects based on their potential to increase cultural vibrancy, promote inclusivity, and bring people together
3. Prioritizing Richmond Hill-based organizations or artists, as well as new projects that have not previously received funding

Since the program’s launch in 2015, it has supported more than 137 projects involving over 527 activities, 162,719 participants and 6,891 volunteers.

To learn more about the grant program, including eligibility and how to apply, visit RichmondHill.ca/CommunityGrants.

New Indoor Pickleball Court:

RICHMOND HILL – As part of a pilot project, additional indoor pickleball courts will be available starting July 10 at Elgin Barrow and Bond Lake Arenas. 

• Elgin Barrow Arena – 5 courts (open until August 14)
• Bond Lake Arena – 6 courts (open until August 20)
• Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., daily

Courts are free to use and operate like outdoor park spaces. No registration or sign-in is required.

Players are asked to:

• Follow the rotation system posted at each site (generally 15-minute rotations or 4 players per court)
• Be respectful of others and follow the pickleball code of conduct
• Bring your own paddles and balls
• Wear non-marking athletic shoes indoors

These courts are not staffed, so fair play and good sportsmanship are key.  Drop in and enjoy indoor pickleball all summer long! More info and court etiquette available at RichmondHill.ca/Pickleball.

Plan the future of the east beaver creek and hwy 7 area together

Richmond Hill – The City of Richmond Hill is developing the area near East Beaver Creek Road and Highway 7 and we want to hear from you. You’re invited to a community workshop, offering both virtual and in-person options, to share your ideas on how this area may evolve in the future.

Virtual Community Workshop Option

• Monday, August 18, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• On Zoom:  http://richmondhill.ca/ebcsecondaryplan

In-Person Community Workshop Option

• Wednesday, August 20, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Richmond Hill Municipal Offices
• 225 East Beaver Creek Rd (Floor 1, Committee Rooms 1 and 2)

Your participation will inform the development of the East Beaver Creek Secondary Plan, which includes policies on land use, height, density, transportation network, parks and more. At the workshop, we will share ideas on the potential design concepts. There will be:

• a presentation on the development of the plan;
• discussion on the vision and guiding principles for the area; and
• discussion on the draft land-use and design options.

This area is bordered by Leslie Street, Highway 7, Highway 404, and East Pearce Street/Norman Bethune Avenue. The new East Beaver Creek Secondary Plan will help turn the area into a vibrant, mixed-use local centre, where people can live, work, play, relax and connect.

Your feedback helps us to develop draft policies to define and grow our city. Let’s plan the future of the area together!

Visit RichmondHill.ca/EBCSecondaryPlan to find out more about this project. 

Regional Service: 

19th Avenue Improvements Between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street

York Region is widening and improving 19th Avenue from Bayview Avenue to Leslie Street to accommodate growth and provide more travel options.

Construction Start: Summer 2025 and  Anticipated Completion: Summer 2027

Project features and benefits

• Widening the road from two to four lanes with curbs and gutters
• Building a multi-use path on the south side of the road
• Building a sidewalk on the north side of the road
• Installing storm sewers and replacing culverts

• Traffic will be reduced to a single lane outside of peak travel times
• Access will be maintained for all driveways/entrances

For everyone’s safety, please reduce your speed through the construction area. We appreciate your patience while work is taking place.

YORK REGION TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC WORKS Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75000  TTY: 1-866-512-6228

Email: transportation@york.ca After hours emergency: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75200