National Public Works Week

York Region is inviting Grade 5 students to participate in our annual Paint-a-Plow Contest. This competition complements weather lessons, its effect on the environment, how municipal staff handle these conditions, and most importantly child safety around plows and near road boulevards.

Contest Details:  

• A clean plow will be delivered by truck and dropped off at your school on Monday, April 28, 2025. It will be placed on a safety stand on school property, sectioned off with pylons and caution tape. Children should not jump or play around the plow 
• Brushes and non-toxic, washable paint, in a variety of colours, will be provided  
• A tarp will be provided in case of adverse weather  
• Students can show their creativity, but the design should be a public works theme, if possible related to this year’s National Public Works Week theme “People, Purpose, Presence”  
• The plow will be picked up on Friday, May 9, 2025
• All plows will be displayed at the Family Fun Day event on Saturday, May 24, 2025. This is an open house at York Region’s Public Works Operations Centre at 90 Bales Drive East in the Town of East Gwillimbury  
• All Family Fun Day attendees can view the plows and vote for their favourite design. Teachers, students, school families and staff are encouraged to attend and cast their vote  
• The plow with the most votes will win the Pylon Pete trophy which will stay at their school for the year. The winning class will receive a $200.00 Michaels gift card and a pizza lunch. Winning designs will be posted on Facebook, X and Instagram @YorkRegionGovt

Thank you for your interest in the Paint-a-Plow contest. The contest is now full. 

The contest is filled on a first come, first served basis. There are eight available plows with one plow per Grade 5 class/one plow per school. Participating schools will be contacted directly.

For further information, please contact York Region at @email

Emergency Prepardness

• Emergency Preparedness Week - Emergency Kit Top 5 Items
  Learn about the top 5 items you should pack in your Emergency Kit.

Forestry

• Caring for York Regions Trees & Forests
  Caring for urban trees and the York Regional Forest creates and maintains natural environments and sustainable communities.
• Celebrating 100 Years! The York Regional Forest
  2024 marks the 100-year anniversary of the York Regional Forest. Join us in celebrating this growing legacy and discover what the Forest has to offer. 

Garbage and Recycling

• Composting in York Region
  Learn how backyard composting and using the green bin contributes to a greener, healthier environment in York Region.
• Recycling in York Region
  The people of York Region explain recycling, the Blue Box Program and how our recyclables are processed.
• The Lendery, A Library of Things
  Check out our very first Lendery, launched in partnership with Markham Public Library. A Lendery is a library of things where you can sign out things, like small appliances and tools.

Water and Wastewater

• Water Towers in York Region
  Have you ever seen a water tower and wondered how they work? This short video explains how they supply clean water to our homes, schools and communities throughout York Region.
• Water Works: Move It
  How does water get to our homes and offices 24 hours a day? And where does that used water go?
• Water Works: Treat It
  How do we take water from our lakes and wells and make it healthy, clean and safe to drink?

Road Maintenance

• Line Painting
  Lane markers keep traffic moving smoothly and help you see the road at night. But it takes a lot of teamwork and planning to keep York Region roads looking fresh!
• Road Maintenance Activities - Fall
  While travelling on regional roads this autumn, you will see operators cleaning and making repairs to preserve the York Region transportation network.
• Road Maintenance Activities - Spring
  Each spring, our team of Transportation Maintenance Workers is busy cleaning and repairing regional roads and boulevards.
• Road Maintenance Activities - Summer
  Learn about out summer maintenance activities, like ditch and shoulder repairing shoulders, inspecting road signs. 
• Snow Plowing
  Learn about what goes into keeping York Region roads snow-free and safe for all travellers.
• York Region is Winter Ready
  York Region maintains more than 4,300 lane-kilometres of main roadways across all nine municipalities. We're ready for winter. Are you?

Traffic Safety

• Be Visible Be Seen
  When skies are dark or there are poor weather conditions, travellers have reduced visibility and are at greater risk. Pedestrians and cyclists can follow these important tips to arrive safely.
• Traffic Safety Tips for Children – Crosswalk
  Avoid the danger zone. Only cross at traffic signals.
• Traffic Safety Tips for Children – Eye Contact
  If you see a car, make eye contact before you cross. 
• Traffic Safety Tips for Children – Running
  Walk, don't run! Learn how to cross the road safely.
• Traffic Signals: From the Ground Up
  Whether you drive, bike, walk or take transit, you’ll likely travel through an intersection with traffic signals. But have you ever stopped to think about how traffic signals work?

Transit

• Riding YRT to School
  Need to learn how to take the bus to school in York Region? 

York Region

• Sustainability at 17150 Yonge Street
  Take a a look inside York Region's 17150 Yonge Street facility, to learn about its environmental design and sustainability features.
• The Route to Innovation
  Watch our route to innovation over the next 5 years.