King is celebrating Recreation and Parks Month with activities for all ages all month long

Each June, communities across Ontario celebrate June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM). JRPM is recognized by municipalities, community organizations and schools as a way of promoting the benefits of being active and recognizing the contribution that recreation and parks make to quality of life.

Join King Township for 30 action-packed days of recreational activities for all ages at community centres and parks.

JRPM programming includes everything from outdoor educational activities to playgroups for tots, fitness and sports challenges, and arts and culture events. Regular admission fees apply unless the program is noted as free.

With each week aligned to the themes of Energize, Game changers, Legacy and Unity, there’s lots to do!

View the calendar of activities at king.ca/JRPM.

Recognize National Indigenous History Month at a Truth and Reconciliation Mural and Indigenous Medicine Garden unveiling on June 14

Recognize the diverse histories, heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada during a special celebration marking the official opening of the Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Mural and Indigenous Medicine Garden at the King Heritage and Cultural Centre.

The free event—which honours Indigenous culture, healing and community through medicine, art and shared experience—takes place on Saturday, Jun. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Celebrate Indigenous culture with Drummer Rollin Baldhead, along with inspiring words from medicine women Tanya Gluvakov and Asha Frost, as well as mural artist Shawn Howe. Tour the space and experience the Butterfly “Memengwaa” Trail Marker by artist Donald Chretien, proudly installed at the heart of the new Indigenous Medicine Garden.

Contribute to the Indigenous Medicine Garden by planting soil and designing your own garden stones, which will become part of the living installation.

Free admission, food and refreshments. Drop-in or RSVP via email to kingmuseum@king.ca.

This event coincides with National Indigenous History Month and is part of a series of events celebrating King Township's 175 anniversary, made possible with funding from the Government of Canada’s Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program.

Learn more at kingheritageandculture.ca.

Celebrate National Pollinator Week with King’s free events and wildflower seed giveaway

Celebrate the butterflies and the bees this National Pollinator Week with free King Township educational events!

Create a bee-autiful pollinator garden at home with a free pack of native wildflower seeds available at the reception desks at the Trisan Centre and the Zancor Centre from June 16 to 22 (Monday to Sunday) during operating hours. Seed packs are only available while supplies last!

Have a tree-mendous time at the Guided Pollinator Walk & Talk on Thursday, Jun. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the scenic Cold Creek Conservation Area. Explore seven kilometres of marked trails while learning about local plants, pollinators and wildlife.

For detailed program information including registration, visit king.ca/EnvironmentalEvents.

Celebrate Canada's birthday at Memorial Park on July 1

Happy birthd’eh Canada! Join us in celebrating this particularly special Canada Day as King Township commemorates its 175^th. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Jul. 1 from 5 p.m. to dusk at Memorial Park in King City for a family-friendly Canada Day event. 

Make sure you have your double double that morning as our vibrant event is where the spirit of our nation comes alive. You’ll “fill yer boots” with a variety of activities, including live musical performances from local bands, delicious food from diverse vendors, and the “pièce de résistance”: a drone show! This free, family-friendly event also features face painting, inflatables and a kid zone for the littles.  

Come together with friends and neighbours to honour our country’s heritage and create unforgettable memories as we celebrate the true north.  

For regular updates on the event, visit king.ca/CanadaDay. 

Save your spot in a summer camp!

Life is s’more fun at a King Township summer camp! Whether your child is a baker or builder, an artist, actor, animal lover or fan of superheroes, secret agents, science and sports, there’s a summer camp experience waiting for them!

Choose from over 40 unique camps for ages 4 to 13. With camps in Nobleton, King City and Schomberg, summer entertainment is right around the corner no matter which community you live in.

Camps start on June 30 until August 29 and run for nine one-week sessions throughout July and August. Camp programming runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended care included for all campers. Flexible drop-off is available starting at 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. with flexible pick-up available between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

With only a few spots left in (some) camps, don’t miss out on your camper’s chance at fun in the sun!

For detailed camp descriptions and program registration links, visit king.ca/camps.

Make a splash with summer swim lessons at the Zancor Centre

Get ready for fun in (or by) the water: save your spot in a summer swim lesson session, with daily, bi-weekly and weekly options available at the Zancor Centre, King's world-class recreation and aquatics facility.

For more information, visit king.ca/aquatics.

Putting King’s heritage on the map with the new StoryMap

We’ve put King’s heritage on the map with our new Geographic Information System "Heritage StoryMap"! This interactive web-based tool is your gateway to exploring all listed and designated heritage properties across the Township. 

Listed properties are recognized for their potential cultural heritage value and flagged for further evaluation if demolition is proposed.

Designated properties have a legal status under the Ontario Heritage Act, providing stronger protection and ensuring their heritage attributes are preserved.

Navigate through history with these properties on a dynamic map. Where available, uncover fascinating historical descriptions that bring King Township’s rich heritage to life.

Experience the Heritage StoryMap now at king.ca/heritage.

Pictured: King Township’s 2022 Heritage Award winner, 4120 15th Sideroad.

What to know about tree removals and replacements in King this season

Removing a tree on your property or waiting for a replacement tree on a Township boulevard? Here’s what you need to know:

Boulevard tree replacements: New trees will be planted to replace those that were previously removed. This process will be completed by early to mid-summer.

Winter and ice storm damage: Pruning and replacing trees that died over the winter or were damaged by the ice storm is an ongoing process this season. King Township is prioritizing high-need areas first.

Tree removal permits: If you’re removing a tree from your property that isn’t part of a woodlot or woodland, you don’t need a permit. However, it’s recommended to keep healthy trees that aren’t a safety risk. For trees in woodlots or woodlands, you’ll need a permit from the Region of York. Contact Access York at 1-877-464-9675 for more info. Remember, you can’t remove or prune trees on Township-owned property.

Additionally, if a building permit is required for adding to your dwelling or other buildings, you must submit a tree report for any trees being removed.

Learn before you burn

Planning an outdoor burn? Review King Township's Recreational Fire and Open-Air Burn Guidelines first, available online at king.ca/BurningInKing. Permits are required for open-air burns. Here are the basic requirements:

Recreational fires

• Do not require permit.
• .75 m (2ft) in diameter and height (no larger).
• Means of extinguishment in close proximity.

Open-air burns

• Requires permit, $51, valid for calendar year.
• 2 m (6ft) in diameter and height (no larger).
• Means of extinguishment in close proximity.
• Not in restricted zones.

Safety tips:

• Never burn on windy days. Wind can quickly spread fire!
• Never leave your outdoor fire unattended! Stay with it until it's completely out.
• Always have a water source nearby when burning outdoors, like a garden hose or bucket of water.

For more information or to request a permit, contact King Fire and Emergency Services at 905-833-4070 or email Celine, Executive Assistant at csamac@king.ca.

Have your say on the future of digital services in King

In May 2024, King Township launched the Digital Transformation Framework, aimed at leveraging technology, data and innovation to elevate Township services, engage the community and streamline business operations.

As we wrap up the first phase, we invite you to share your thoughts and feedback on our digital services, internet connectivity and ease of accessing municipal services online. 

Digital milestones achieved so far:

• ‘Kingsley’ an AI-Powered Virtual Assistant on king.ca: 24/7 assistance and an 88% customer satisfaction rating.
• Service Performance Dashboard: Visualizing municipal service performance (e.g., pot hole repairs, recreation programs, snow removal) to ensure standards are maintained.
• Self-Serve Appointment Booking such as marriage licences and Economic Development Consultations
• Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap

The next phase, concluding in 2025, will evolve based on your feedback and the successes of our initial projects.

Take the 11-question survey by June 30 (and drop an idea or vote on one) at speaking.king.ca.

Book your space before it’s gone: rooms, rinks and picnic spots filling fast in King

Room and ice bookings at the Zancor Centre are selling fast! Whether you're planning a tournament, birthday party or community event, now’s the time to reserve your spot.

King also has many picturesque picnic shelters available to book at Cold Creek Conservation Area, Memorial Park in King City, Nobleton Community Sports Park and the Pottageville Pavilion (pictured above).

Check availability and complete the facility rental application form online at king.ca/bookafacility or call 905-833-5321.

Freshen up for summer with King’s clean and green yard tips

With warmer days ahead, it’s time to freshen up your yard. Under the Clean Yards By-law, residents are reminded to mow lawns regularly, trim weeds, store outdoor items neatly and dispose of waste and recycling properly. 

Yard waste collection runs until December 1. Set your bags or marked containers out by 7 a.m. on collection day. No grass clippings—leave them on your lawn to naturally fertilize it. That’s grasscycling! 

Tree replacements are underway! If you’re planning tree work, check if you need a permit. You don’t for trees on private property unless the tree is part of a woodlot, in which case you need a permit from York Region. And remember—don’t prune or remove trees on Township property. 

Want to support pollinators and green your space? Order a wildflower kit, rain barrel or composter through our Green Yards program! Registration closes June 1, with pickup on June 5 or 6. 

Help shape King’s age-friendly future: share your thoughts in our quick survey

Older adults represent the fastest-growing population segment in Canada. In King Township, the 55+ population has been increasing significantly and is expected to continue at a rapid pace over the next decade.

To support the needs of an aging population (and aging in place), King Township is developing an Age-Friendly Action Plan in its commitment to become an Age-Friendly Community, where residents can maintain their independence as they age. This will ensure that programs and services in King Township are flexible and responsive to the needs of the aging population and that older adults ages 55 plus have access to the programs, facilities and infrastructure they require to stay active, healthy and engaged in the local community.

To help us get started on our plan, the Township is asking residents to provide their feedback on aging gracefully in King Township by taking a quick online survey.

Take the survey by July 25 at king.ca/seniors.

Clear out your old tech at King’s free e-waste recycling event on June 21

Do you have old electronics collecting dust at home? Dispose your unwanted electronics responsibly (e.g., TVs, computers, cameras) for FREE at the e-Waste recycling event, held at the King Township Municipal Centre on Saturday, Jun. 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For details, visit king.ca/ElectronicRecycling.

Received a tax arrears notice? It might be your water bill—check your balance to avoid surprises.

Have you received a “taxes in arrears” notice even though your property taxes are paid in full? Here’s why.

If your water bill is in arrears at the end of the year, the balance gets added to your property tax account. That means even if your taxes are up to date, an unpaid water bill can trigger a tax arrears notice.

Landlords: If your tenants pay the water bill, you’re still responsible for making sure it’s paid.

Check your water bill status regularly to avoid surprises.

Questions? Contact ServiceKING at 905-833-5321 or by email at serviceking@king.ca for help understanding your tax and water bills. You can also visit king.ca/waterbilling to register for eBilling and the Pre-Authorized Debit Program for automatic withdrawals.

Possible mail delivery disruption

Although negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have resumed, a potential labour disruption could happen at any time, affecting mail service to and from King Township.

Mail service delays may impact water bills, marriage licenses, public planning and heritage notices and by-law infractions.

The water bill due on June 25 (for the period of March and April) has been mailed to residents. There is no change to the due date and penalty will be applied to late payments.

Residents can continue to do business with the Township in-person from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the King Township Municipal Centre or online 24/7 at king.ca/OnlineServices.