From snow to sun in Thornhill

Postcity.com and Thornhill Post
May 30, 2014
By Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman

Most people will agree that this past winter was one of the worst we have ever experienced — the coldest in 20 years.

In the city, the numerous storms, the ongoing cold and of course the ice storm and power failure took a large toll.

The impact of the ice storm will be with us for years as we continue the cleanup and begin our tree replanting program to replace the more than 13,000 destroyed trees. Fortunately we will receive some funds from the Ontario government to assist in our cleanup costs. Because of good planning, our reserves will be used to deal with our extra snow clearing costs.

But let’s not dwell on the past when there are exciting improve-ments planned for Thornhill.

This will be a busy summer and fall for parks improvements. I have been working with a group of residents to redevelop the playground and tennis courts at York Hill District Park this summer. The work that I initiated with a group of residents two years ago to rehabilitate Glen Shields Park will continue with playground and walkway improvements. Our trail system, at Glen Shields Avenue and Dufferin Street, will see improve-ments including the replacement of the Marita Payne Pedestrian Bridge. King High and Beverly Glen parks will both have new pathway lighting installed this summer.

In response to increasing interest in biking, the Vaughan cycle path system will expand with a new path developed along Clark Avenue from Yonge to Dufferin. This will allow cyclists to move easily and connect with the trail system along the Don River just west of Dufferin.