Top 5 inquiries made by Richmond Hill residents -- summer edition

Last year, the city's customer service centre fielded close to 100,000 inquiries

Yorkregion.com
July 30, 2021
Yoyo Yan

The city's customer service centre, Access Richmond Hill, fielded close to 100,000 inquiries last year.

Here are the top five summer season questions asked by residents:

Q. Is my splash pad open? Why is my local splash pad closed?

Splash pads are a huge part of summer fun in Richmond Hill. We have 15 splash pads at parks across the community that are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week, during the summer months.

We understand it's disappointing when a splash pad is closed for maintenance, so we do our best to quickly get them back up and running for you. We recommend you check ahead at RichmondHill.ca/SplashPads to confirm your local splash pad is open. If not, the webpage will also show you alternative splash pad options, including addresses and maps.

Q. What's open and closed due to COVID-19? Are recreation programs running?

Richmond Hill's gradual reopening plan is available on RichmondHill.ca/COVID19. You can also find details of what's open, what's closed and what's coming soon, including updates on outdoor amenities, recreation and culture programs, facilities and services. We are excited to be offering a variety of virtual and in-person camps, recreation programs and fitness classes this summer, with more still to come.
To stay up to date on the latest city news and information, you can also subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter by visiting RichmondHill.ca/newsletter or follow us on social media @myRichmondHill.

Q. I noticed a problem at my local park. What should I do?

Richmond Hill staff regularly monitor all city parks and properties, but with 147 parks and 150 kilometres of trails, you could spot an issue before we do. Contact Access Richmond Hill if you see a problem at a Richmond Hill park, trail or natural area, such as:

• Damaged or unhealthy trees
• Problems with garbage containers
• Playground equipment that requires maintenance
• Grass that needs cutting

Q. I want to build a deck. Do I need a building permit?

 Yes. In general, you need a building permit to build a deck, and it must meet the Ontario Building Code and other applicable requirements. Some exceptions may apply, and it is recommended you contact the City's Building Division for more information before you proceed too far in your planning process. These requirements help protect the health and safety of homeowners, building occupants, future owners, businesses, tenants and the community. Some other home projects that require a building permit include:

• Finishing a basement
• Installing a wood-stove or chimney
• Altering or remodelling a plumbing and/or HVAC system

You don't need a building permit when you are painting or decorating, installing cupboards, replacing roof shingles (unless it is a clay tile roof) or constructing a detached accessory building such as a shed if it has an area of 10 square metres or less. However, please note that where a building permit is not required, any applicable zoning bylaw requirements must still be reviewed.

Visit RichmondHill.ca/BuildingPermit to learn more. You can also apply and pay online for your building permit.

Q. My beautiful garden produces yard waste throughout the summer. What should I do with it?

We recognize that yard waste is not limited to the autumn leaves. That's why we collect yard waste bi-weekly on your garbage collection day throughout the summer and up to October 8. Then, from Oct. 12 to Dec. 3, we collect yard waste every week on your regular waste collection day.

Yard waste includes leaves, pine cones, fallen fruit, trees, shrub trimmings, pumpkins, clean straw and dried corn stalks. Please note that soil, sod and grass clippings are not accepted in the yard waste program.

For a $10 fee, sod and grass clippings can be taken to the Bloomington Yard Waste facility at 1351 Bloomington Rd. Grass clippings can also be left on the lawn as they help to fertilize and add moisture. Soil is not accepted at any York Region depot or the Bloomington Yard Waste facility.

ABOUT ACCESS RICHMOND HILL

The Access Richmond Hill Contact Centre helps with general inquiries and responds to questions or concerns about programs and services. It also offers translation assistance for residents requiring services in languages other than English.

In-person services are not currently available due to COVID-19, but you can contact Access Richmond Hill Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 905-771-8800 or Access@richmondhill.ca.

Residents can also use the online portal at AccessRH.RichmondHill.ca to submit general inquiries, report street lights out, report trees that need maintenance or book a waste pickup time for a large appliance.