What's Going on Here?: New sign in Newmarket gives name to community

Newmarket Heights community gets name-place, landmark sign.

Yorkregion.com
December 5, 2018
Amanda Persico

In an effort to change the way a community thinks about itself, the town of Newmarket recently hoisted a new community sign.

The new ‘Newmarket Heights’ sign is perched at the corner of Longford Drive and Penn Avenue and pays homage to the neighbourhood history.

Just the Facts:

• The Newmarket Heights area is located at the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Davis Drive, from Yonge to Main streets and Kingston Road to Davis Drive.

• The Newmarket Heights sign is located at the southeast corner of Longford Drive and Penn Avenue.

• The sign was a community-driven project driven by Tom Hempen, the former ward councillor.

• The sign cost $27,230, of which $10,300 was contributed from the public, $10,000 was matched by council and $6,930 was contributed through the ward councillor’s personal discretionary funds.

• The sign is made from long-lasting, weather resistant materials including durable wood and stainless-steel lettering. The sign is also illuminated with LED lights.

• The neighbourhood was built in the late 1950s and homes cost about $12,000 at the time.

• Initially, the neighbourhood was called East Gwillimbury Heights, East Gwillimbury's inaugural subdivision. Following annexation from East Gwillimbury in the mid-1960s, the neighbourhood was renamed Newmarket Heights.

• More than 770 homes were completed in the late 1950s. The neighbourhood is comprised mostly of semi-detached bungalows and a few larger detached homes.