It’s National Public Works Week!
Join us for free family-friendly activities at our Open House on May 23
This week, the City of Vaughan is celebrating National Public Works Week, and we want you to join us to recognize our Public Works professionals who keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful all year long.
To kick off the week-long celebrations, the City raised the National Public Works Week flag at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.) and the Joint Operations Centre (2800 Rutherford Rd.), and illuminated Vaughan City Hall orange on Tuesday, May 19.
You’re invited to join us – rain or shine – for a day of family-friendly activities at our Open House on Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Joint Operations Centre.
During the event, you can:
meet our Public Works teams.
check out some of the City’s fleet vehicles, like snowplows, streetsweepers and a shredder truck.
pick up three FREE mulch bags per vehicle (for Vaughan residents).
purchase or exchange City-issued green bins, kitchen containers and composters (credit or debit only).
dig in to $2 ice cream cones and FREE pizza (one slice per person, while quantities last).
step right up for carnival games.
enjoy live entertainment.
participate in giveaways.
…and more!
Can’t make the Open House but want free mulch? No problem! Vaughan residents can come by the Joint Operations Centre tomorrow, May 22, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to claim your bags!
While this event is sure to be lots of fun, the City’s Public Works team takes their work seriously. Enhancing operational performance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement are central to the mission of our Public Works employees. Their achievements continue to receive national recognition for innovative thinking, development of new best practices and a commitment to Service Excellence.
As part of our National Public Works Week celebrations, we are sharing the stories and experiences of some of the women on this important team. You can visit the City’s website to learn more about the women of Public Works who are committed to keeping the city safe, clean and beautiful.
For more information on National Public Works Week in Vaughan, visit
QUOTES
“This week, we proudly recognize National Public Works Week, and, most importantly, we celebrate the dedicated professionals who keep Vaughan running every single day. They work around the clock to ensure we have reliable water distribution, clean and beautiful parks and forests, and well-maintained roads and sidewalks. During National Public Works Week, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work and dedication staff do to keep our city running smoothly for our residents, businesses and visitors. The work they do requires technical expertise, teamwork, adaptability and a strong commitment to public service. On behalf of the City of Vaughan and Members of Council, thank you to the City’s Public Works team for your unwavering dedication to our city.”
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
“The City of Vaughan’s Public Works team plays a vital behind‑the‑scenes role in keeping our city running smoothly. More than 450 dedicated Public Works staff show up year‑round, in all conditions, often early mornings, overnight shifts, weekends and holidays. That commitment matters. It is foundational to the quality of life in our city. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to Vaughan’s Public Works crew for the outstanding work they do every day on the job. Your commitment to the community does not go unnoticed. Happy National Public Works Week!”
- Zoran Postic, City Manager
“Every day, the City of Vaughan’s Public Works crews are out across our city, working to ensure Vaughan remains a safe, clean and beautiful place to live. Their work includes maintaining our parks, forests and gardens; operating critical water, wastewater and stormwater systems; enhancing our transportation network; and so much more that often happens behind the scenes, but is essential to our daily lives. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the people who keep Vaughan moving at our Open House on Saturday, May 23. Bring your family and come help us say thank you to our Public Works teams – and have fun!”
- Emilie Alderman, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
QUICK FACTS
Since 1960, the third week in May has been celebrated as National Public Works Week in Canada.
This year’s theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” highlights the visible and invisible roles public works professionals play in keeping Vaughan moving. This includes road repairs, new sidewalks, upgrades to public spaces, maintaining water pipes, managing wastewater services and so much more.
The City of Vaughan’s Public Works portfolio has three departments: Environmental Services; Transportation and Fleet Management Services; and Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations.
Public Works provides quality services that directly impact residents and businesses across the city every day. Services include seasonal maintenance of municipal roads, sidewalks and pathways; maintenance of parks, boulevards and open spaces; forestry and horticulture services; fleet management; traffic services; administration of the crossing guard program; management of garbage and recycling collection; and water, wastewater and stormwater services.
Environmental Services is responsible for 12 sanitary lift/pumping stations, two water booster/pressure elevating stations, more than 160 stormwater ponds, more than 1000 kilometres (621 miles) of storm sewers, 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of sanitary sewers, more than 1,120 kilometres (696 miles) of active watermains, more than 10,600 fire hydrants, more than 16,800 maintenance holes and 23,000 catch basins.
Transportation and Fleet Management Services is responsible for 2,200 lane kilometres (1367 miles) of roads, 97 traffic signals and approximately 29,000 streetlights, 137 hectares (338 acres) of boulevard maintenance, 1,114 kilometres (692 miles) of sidewalks and approximately 25,000 traffic signs.
Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations is responsible for more than 225 parks, nine greenways, more than 66 kilometres (41 miles) of trails external to parks, more than 283 playgrounds, 395 sports playing facilities, 1,119 kilometres (695 miles) of sidewalks, 700 hanging baskets, 550 planters, 135,488 street trees and 948 garden beds.
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