You can check out details of the latest decisions and discussions at Whitby Council in the monthly Council Highlights.

The May Council Highlights include:

• Request for a draft policy on the appointment and responsibilities of Whitby’s deputy mayor
• Public consultation on the draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan
• Approval of a new Municipal Accommodation Tax to help support tourism initiatives
• Revisions to the Town’s Procedure Bylaw

I’m delighted to share that a new market-style foodbank opened at Iroquois Park Sports Centre on May 2. The food bank is a partnership between the Town of Whitby and Feed the Need in Durham. The Town has provided former office space through a no-cost lease and funding was also provided through the Mayor’s Community Development Fund. The food bank will be set up like a grocery store, allowing clients to select their items, an approach centred on equity and dignity. Members of the community can support the new foodbank by donating funds or food to Feed the Need or volunteering to help at the food bank, visit feedtheneedindurham.ca for more information. 

Work is moving forward on the Town’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. On May 6, Council received the draft plan for information the last phase of community consultation, is now underway. A final version of the plan will be brought to Council for adoption in fall 2024. Once complete, the plan will guide decision-making related to parks and recreation services in Whitby through to 2031. Whitby is expected to experience population growth of 25 per cent by 2031, particularly in West Whitby and Brooklin. This growth will increase demand for parks and recreation amenities, programs, and services. To share your feedback on the draft plan visit connectwhitby.ca

I recently had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the Ashbrooke, a new six-storey apartment building on Perry Street in Downtown Whitby. This City Homes project includes 114 apartments and is geared towards older adults age 55+. The Ashbrooke is significant because it was the first application to be approved as part of the Downtown Whitby Community Improvement Plan for a development charge partial exemption for high-density residential. The project received a 50 per cent development charge grant from the Town of Whitby and was also supported through the Region of Durham’s Regional Revitalization Program. The Ashbrooke supports downtown revitalization efforts by bringing more residents to the downtown core and redeveloping vacant and underutilized properties. Welcome to Downtown Whitby!

Following Council’s approval of the Town’s new Public Art Policy in February, the first public art commission was recently completed. Tree Carver Ryan Locke was commissioned to transform a 100-year-old black walnut tree into a public art installation featuring a honeycomb with bees. This piece celebrates environmental conservation and recognizes Whitby’s designation as an official Bee City. You can find this piece located across from Whitby’s historic Centennial Building and Courthouse Theatre.

For more information on the carving and Whitby’s Public Art projects, visit the Town’s arts trail or follow @ExploreWhitby on Instagram. 

The Town recently kicked off an Official Plan Review process – the plan was last updated in 2018. The Official Plan guides where and how land should be used. For example, it sets out where housing, offices, stores, and roads will be located and what should be protected such as the natural environment and historic properties. Whitby's population is expected to grow to about 240,000 by 2051. By 2031 alone, the Province has mandated the construction of 18,000 new homes in Whitby. The review will focus on four key areas: general Official Plan updates, increasing the housing supply in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area, increasing the housing supply in strategic growth areas, and planning for more jobs and homes in the new Brooklin Expansion Area. The first community open house for the project took place May 29, there will be more public engagement opportunities over the coming weeks. Visit connectwhitby.ca/opreview for more information. 

As we move into summer, residents often have questions about the frequency of grass-cutting on Town properties such as parks, sports fields, and boulevards. The Town is responsible for cutting over 1,100 acres of grass, which is the equivalent of about 4,400 average sized residential lawns. Here’s what to know:

• Sports fields are cut once a week
• Town and Regional boulevards are cut once every 16 days.  In the spring they are cut once every 12 days for the first four cuts.
• High profile/high priority parks and facilities are cut once every eight days
• Regular use parks are cut once every 16 days. 

Learn more about grass-cutting, pesticide use, dandelions, and more at whitby.ca/en/play/grasscutting.aspx

The 2024 Brooklin Spring Fair runs from May 30 to June 2 and I couldn’t be more excited! This event is a treasured local tradition and an amazing opportunity to highlight our agricultural community. Be sure to check out this year’s amazing line-up of entertainment, shows, and competitions along with food and the midway. Whitby Council members will be participating in the fair parade on Saturday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m., come say hello! Visit brooklinspringfair.com for more information and a full schedule of events.

Local Food Week is June 3 to 9, an amazing opportunity to celebrate food grown, produced and used locally in Ontario! Farms across Ontario produce a huge variety of local food every year – over 200 different commodities. Here in Whitby there are so many restaurants, cafes, bakeries and stores that feature local food, as well as the Whitby Farmer's Market and Brooklin Farmer's Market. Show some love for Ontario food by buying and eating local! Check out Durham Farm Fresh for information on Durham farms and what they produce.

I recently had the opportunity to meet with the members of Whitby Youth Council and I am so impressed by the work they're doing! Whitby Youth Council works to address the needs of youth in our community and also provides members with valuable experience and opportunities, including the chance to earn volunteer hours. Youth Council has offered a variety of events and activities this year including the Celebrating Youth Awards, Art Attack, a free movie night, and free drop-in activities during National Youth Week. Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 school year and youth ages 12-21 are invited to submit an online application. Applicants will be contacted in August for an interview prior to the September start.

This is our monthly shout-out to those who make Whitby proud. If you know a person, group, or organization that has accomplished something noteworthy or is helping to make Whitby a better place, let the mayor’s office know! Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

• Congratulations to Dave Reid and the youth and volunteers of Whitby Scouting on 50 years of participation in the Scoutrees program! Scoutrees was launched in 1974 as an official Scouts Canada program and Scouting groups in Whitby have participated ever since, planting trees each spring with support from the Town of Whitby.  Thank you for helping to make Whitby beautiful and environmentally sustainable!

• Shout out to Girls Inc. for marking its 160^th anniversary! I recently had the privilege of attending the Spirit of Girls Breakfast hosted by Girls Inc. Durham and presenting a certificate for this milestone. Founded in 1864, Girls Inc. is the longest-running girls’ leadership program, supporting millions of girls across Canada and the U.S. Here in our community, Girls Inc. Durham “delivers life-changing programs and experiences that equip girls to overcome serious barriers to grow up strong, smart, and bold.” Thank you for all you do!
• On June 2 Whitby Legion Branch 112 will be marking the 100^th anniversary of the Whitby cenotaph with a re-dedication ceremony.  For the past century, the cenotaph has provided Whitby residents with a place to remember, grieve and reflect. Thank you to Legion Branch 112 for all you do to support our veterans and ensure our community never forgets their sacrifices. 

The Ontario Culinary Alliance recently featured Whitby as a recommended culinary destination on its website and social media --  including a suggested two-day food itinerary for visitors. Highlighted destinations include the Whitby Farmer’s Market, 12welve Bistro, Brock Street Brewing Company, the Springwood, Surf Kitchen and Bar, Brunch and Co., One More Cocoa, Butchie’s, 5 Paddles Brewing and Bistro ’67. I love to see Whitby’s amazing food scene getting the attention it deserves, click here to read more: ontarioculinary.com/destinations/whitby/

Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) will be opening a new standalone store in Whitby at 1 - 1650 Victoria St East in the Thickson Ridge Power Centre. Set to open in July, the 20,000-square-foot store will offer outdoor brands like Patagonia, Salomon, fjällräven, Osprey, Hoka, and Keen, as well as in-house MEC label products. The store will also host community events and clinics to support activities from camping, hiking, and paddling, to climbing, cycling, and snow sports. The store will feature a designated bike mechanic area and expert staff offering advice and knowledge on both gear and activities. The Whitby location will be MEC’s seventh standalone store in Ontario. Follow @mec on social media for updates about the grand opening weekend in July.

June is Pride Month and there are lots of ways to celebrate! Drag Queen story time events will be taking place at libraries across Durham organized by Youth Pride Durham. The Whitby event is June 1 at 1 p.m. at the Whitby Central Library. You can also check out Youth Pride Durham on June 22 at Durham Regional Headquarters, and the 20^th annual Durham Pride Festival on June 2 in Ajax including a multi-faith service at noon, Pride Parade at 1 p.m., and vendor fair from 1 to 5 p.m. Watch for Whitby Council members and Town of Whitby staff in thr parade!

• Celebrate Senior’s Month in June with special events for the 55+ crowd! This includes a free performance by 55+ Ukulele Group on June 3 at 1:30 p.m. in Rotary Centennial Park, Tai Chi in the Park June 11 at 10 a.m. in Rotary Centennial Park, and Yoga in the Park June 25 and 27 at 9 a.m. both days in Rotary Centennial Park.

• The Brooklin Farmer’s Market opens for the season on June 8. It runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October in the municipal lot located at 3 Vipond Rd. Check out locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, handcrafted items and more. Visit whitbyfarmersmarket.ca for more information.

• Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month with Play Day in Whitby on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Iroquois Park Sports Centre. Check out free swimming, ice skating, inline skating, and youth shinny as well as airbrush tattoos, face painting, and pickleball demos. Click here for a schedule of events.

• The Town of Whitby is celebrating the lead-up to National Indigenous Peoples Day with an event on June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Celebration Square featuring music, storytelling, activities, and more. On National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, the Town will be featuring videos from Kim Wheatley, Anishinaabe Cultural Consultant and ISWO Senior Advisor of Cultural Development and Metis Jigger Auriele Diotte. Click here for information on both events.

• The Durham Multifaith Community Food Drive takes place June 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. The Durham Multifaith community invites people to drop off non-perishable food items at one of three Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collection locations: 7 Pethick St. in Bowmanville, 632 Thornton Rd. N. in Oshawa or 19 Church St. S. in Ajax. All items will be donated to Feed the Need in Durham.