Thornhill SNAP

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) identifies the community as a Flood Vulnerable Area Cluster Management Zone, and the neighbourhood has the highest number of flood calls in Vaughan (2008–2018).

This area is a high priority for LID retrofits due to the presence of medium-high impervious soils and a depth to water table, in certain areas, that is conducive to infiltration.

Most of the Thornhill SNAP neighbourhood is located in the Upper East Don River sub-watershed. A study commissioned by the City of Vaughan in 2010 noted the presence of Sensitive Fish Area 5, which covers most of Richmond Hill and the northern part of Block 2 in the Thornhill SNAP area.

This Fish Area features permanent, cold water streams and several fish Species-At-Risk (including Brown Trout, Mottled Sculpin, Rainbow Trout).

Portions of the Thornhill neighbourhood have the highest energy consumption rates in the City, as identified in the City of Vaughan’s Municipal Energy Plan, which also highlights the potential to improve home energy performance.

This area has one of the highest rates of indoor and outdoor water consumption in York Region, highlighting potential opportunities for reducing both indoor and outdoor water usage.

Areas within the Thornhill neighbourhood are vulnerable to urban heat stress, which can pose a threat to vulnerable populations such as seniors and children.

The presence of a large senior population combined with urban growth pressures presents opportunities for encouraging aging-in-place initiatives and fostering intergenerational interactions.

Aging park infrastructure and changes in neighbourhood demographics present an opportunity for park revitalization initiatives.

Southern portions of the neighbourhood have been identified as an area of concentrated disadvantage.

A series of planned capital projects can be leveraged through the SNAP program to achieve greater environmental, resiliency, and social impact in this community.

These planned projects include:

• Gallanough Park Stormwater Management Facility
• Garnet A. Williams Community Centre
• Clark Avenue bike lanes
• York Hill Park revitalization
• South York Greenway Pedestrian and Cycling Corridor

There is an opportunity to facilitate meaningful contact with nature throughout the neighbourhood by improving connections with existing natural heritage features, through planned park revitalization projects and through strategically planned green infrastructure initiatives.

The City has identified four collector roads within the neighbourhood to receive in-boulevard, dedicated cycle tracks.

These plans provide a great opportunity to promote active transportation and its associated health benefits, in addition to helping reduce traffic congestion, improve cycling safety, and enhance the pedestrian experience.

Community outreach revealed a feeling of detachment and a sense of disconnection between geographic areas, different cultures, and between youth and seniors.

The Action Plan will identify programming and projects that will encourage renewed community connections as a means of improving quality of life and to help build the neighbourhood’s overall resilience.

The community indicated a strong desire to celebrate the neighbourhood’s unique history, diverse culture, and vibrant arts community.

This action area focuses on building and enhancing physical, social, and ecological connections within the community.

The following four components should be considered when planning and designing projects under this action area:

1. Green Infrastructure Planning: An inventory of green infrastructure opportunities should be identified for the Thornhill neighbourhood to inform future development of public and private spaces.
2. Active Transportation Planning: Active transportation and multi-modal transportation improvements should be included where possible to encourage cycling and increase accessibility.
3. Parks and Open Space Planning: Parks and open space improvements should be included in the 12 parks and four parkettes where needed and identified by the community.
4. Educational, Cultural and Community Programming: Cultural and community programming will foster community connections and help residents develop a deep sense of belonging and pride in their neighbourhood.

Implementation Progress to Date

• Oakbank Pond Park Community Engagement Project: Native pollinator garden constructed with community volunteers in September 2021, and a follow-up revitalization of the garden in June 2023.



• Hefill Park Tree Planting Project: 124 trees and shrubs planted at Hefill Park with the help of community volunteers.
• Community Event at the J.E.H. MacDonald House: In both 2022 and 2023, the SNAP team partnered with the Thornhill Historical Society to deliver a community event at the J.E.H. MacDonald House property. These events included hands-on community plantings, guided walking tours of the historic site, and the exhibition of local artists. The Thornhill Garden and Horticultural Society also participated.



• York Hill District Park Tree Planting Project: 165 trees and shrubs were planted at York Hill Park in September 2022 with the help of IKEA Canada volunteers. This project is part of the larger Environmental Learning Zone being established in the southern area of the park.



• York Hill District Park Rain Garden Construction and Community Planting Project: Rain garden construction was completed in the spring of 2023, followed by a planting event in June 2023 with the help of school groups and community members. The rain garden project is part of the Environmental Learning Zone project.



• Cycling Safety Webinar: In September 2022, community members attended a webinar focused on safe cycling and how to use the new cycle tracks on Clark Avenue.

Residential retrofit initiatives to achieve diverse environmental and climate resilience goals, specifically customized to respond to resident priorities and the building stock in the neighbourhood.

• Residential Retrofit Program Community Focus Groups: In November 2022, community members attended two focus groups conducted to test key components of the Residential Retrofit Program, prior to full-scale program development. The objective of the focus groups was to ensure the most accurate account of resident priorities, needs, and interests.
• Residential Retrofit Program Webinar: In December 2021, community members attended a webinar as part of the Residential Retrofit Program, educating homeowners on general energy retrofits and lifestyle changes, including solar PV, heating systems, building envelope improvements, pool maintenance options, air sealing, and conversion to electric vehicles.
• Air-Source Heat Pumps Workshop: On January 9, 2022, community members attended a workshop focused on air-source heat pumps, delivered by TRCA’s Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP).

Encouragement and support of community connections, natural heritage improvements, and sustainable and resilient Commercial/Institutional (CI) and Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs).

Implementation Progress to Date

• Private Property Green Infrastructure Projects: Throughout the year, private property owners were engaged to advance green infrastructure in their neighbourhood. Two multi-unit residential buildings received raised garden beds for residents’ use, as well as materials for balcony gardens and fruit trees; the BAYT Synagogue and Reena received plants to implement pollinator gardens.

Gallanough Park is a community park that is a candidate for redevelopment in the City’s 2018 Parks Redevelopment Strategy.

The existing park currently includes playground equipment, an outdoor gazebo, swings, and walking trails and is connected to a number of important community institutions. These connections provide an ideal opportunity to make Gallanough Park into a vibrant and exciting community gathering space.

The Park was identified as a signature project based on feedback received from the community combined with the City’s capital plans to construct a stormwater management facility in the park to alleviate urban flooding.

Revitalization recommendations feature an abundance of activities and experiences for residents by adapting and enhancing park functions.

The goal is to create well connected and cohesive spaces while providing comfortable and safe experiences and enhanced habitat for wildlife.

View the Action Plan Report for more details.

York Hill District Park is adjacent to the Garnet A. Williams Community Centre (GAWCC) and includes three playground areas, two baseball diamonds, a small gazebo, swings, tennis and basketball courts, an outdoor skating ring and a series of multi-purpose trails.

The Park was identified as a signature project based on feedback received from the community combined with the City’s capital plans for renovations at GAWCC and the availability of capital funding through Parks Infrastructure Planning and Development department to develop a revitalization plan.

The community’s vision focused on the following main ideas:

• Access and connectivity including expanded and improved multi-use pathways
• Activity options for all ages and increased educational learning
• Creation of a park focal feature
• Introduction of urban agriculture and local food opportunities
• Increased number of trees and shade opportunities and resting areas

View the Action Plan Report for more details.

The Thornhill SNAP Complete Streets project identifies areas of opportunity on three collector roads in the Thornhill SNAP neighbourhood.

These roads were identified based on input from the community and their alignment with the City of Vaughan’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

Sidewalks exist on both sides of the selected roads, but pedestrian connections between sidewalks, midblock crossings, community amenities, and open spaces need to be strengthened.

In addition, community feedback indicated numerous suggestions for these streets, including:

• Improved walkability and traffic flow
• Reduction in pedestrian/cyclist crossing distances and times at intersections
• Midblock crossings
• Reduction in traffic congestion
• Implementation of cycling facilities
• Beautification and planting of additional street trees

The Complete Streets concept was used to help guide engagement discussions and ensure that feedback encompassed all potential street users – including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists – while considering the broader SNAP guiding principles recommended by the community.

The objective of the Complete Streets project is to create safe, inviting, and vibrant streets and streetscapes that will attract both residents and visitors of all ages and abilities alike, while addressing the sustainability objectives identified for the community, including urban forest and habitat improvement and sustainable stormwater management.

View the Action Plan Report for more details.

A pilot Home Retrofit Program has been designed, tailored to the Thornhill neighbourhood based on interest expressed during the SNAP public engagement activities.

The design concept incorporates principles from the Residential Retrofits Integrated Action Area.

The program will offer support services and educational activities to help homeowners decide on key actions to be implemented at their homes and to make the retrofit process as straightforward as possible.

Per the guiding principles, the program will support actions across multiple sustainability and resilience themes (including energy, water, stormwater management, eco-landscaping, and flood prevention), as well as social themes such as aging in place.

In addition, the proposed activities will help homeowners access existing incentive programs and continue the City’s efforts to plan for a Local Improvement Charges financing program for energy retrofits.

View the Action Plan Report for more details.