To: Mayor David West; Ward 1 Councillor Carol Davidson; Richmond Hill City Council; the City’s Planning and Building Services Department; and the Oakridge Meadows builders—Aspen Ridge Homes, CountryWide Homes, Regal Crest Homes, and Royal Pine Homes

We, the residents and supporters of Oakridge Meadows, call on the City of Richmond Hill and all responsible development partners to proceed urgently with West Gormley Community Park, Project 100199, on William Logan Drive.

Families have lived in this growing community for more than three years, yet the promised community park has still not been built. Residents report that the future park site remains an overgrown field. Children do not have the safe, completed neighbourhood recreation space that families reasonably expected when they moved into this master-planned community.

This is not an unidentified or unfunded idea. It is a longstanding municipal project appearing in Richmond Hill’s official plans and capital forecasts.

As neighbours often joke:

The houses are built. The neighbours have moved in. The dogs are here. The kids are definitely here. The only thing still “loading” is the park.

And after waiting for years, we believe it is time for the park to move forward.

This is not a request for a new idea — the park is already planned.

The City of Richmond Hill has already identified West Gormley Community Park as a planned park project at William Logan Drive.

What the City’s documents show:

The City’s West Gormley Secondary Plan establishes that parks in this area should support both active and passive recreation. It says neighbourhood parks should be centrally located, connected to walking and cycling routes, and generally measure between one and 2.5 hectares.

The City’s 2022 Parks Plan also identifies West Gormley as an area where a new community park is required. The plan explains that Richmond Hill must acquire approximately 19.1 hectares of new community-park land in several growth areas, including West Gormley.

The City’s financial documents identify this specific project as:

Project: West Gormley Community Park
Project number: 100199
Location: William Logan Drive
Responsible department: Planning and Building Services
Responsible division: Policy Planning
Purpose: Design and construction
The 2025 Richmond Hill Budget forecast approximately $6.5 million for the project, including $500,000 in 2026 and $6 million in 2028.

A separate 2025 capital-budget document concerning projects contingent on grant funding listed approximately $7.033 million for design and construction, with a forecast period of 2026–2028.

However, the City’s 2026 Adopted Budget now shows a total forecast of $7.52 million, consisting of approximately:

$720,000 in 2027
$6.8 million in 2029
This apparent change means the major construction funding has moved from 2028 to 2029. Residents deserve a direct explanation of what changed, whether work previously anticipated for 2026 has been delayed, and when the park will actually open.

The City’s current public Parks Projects page provides timelines and contact information for many other park projects, but it does not provide a comparable public project update for West Gormley Community Park.

Meanwhile, a 2026 City announcement concerning its draft Tennis and Pickleball Strategy refers to the future West Gormley community park as a priority location for eight tennis courts by 2031. This reinforces that the park remains part of the City’s plans—but Oakridge Meadows families should not have to wait indefinitely without a design, construction schedule, or completion date.

Why this park is urgently needed

Our children need a safe place to play

At present, many families have to drive to parks outside the immediate neighbourhood to access basic recreational facilities.

For young children, this is particularly challenging. Without a nearby park, children often end up playing on residential streets, driveways or other areas that were never designed to be recreational spaces.

This is not just about convenience.

It is about:

* Child safety
* Access to outdoor recreation
* Healthy physical activity
* Community connection
* Quality of life for growing families
* Providing appropriate public space for children and residents

A community should not have to wait until every house is occupied and every child is already growing up before the necessary recreational infrastructure catches up.

We are asking the City for action and accountability
We call upon the City of Richmond Hill and all responsible development partners to:

1. Publish the current status of Project 100199, including what planning, land transfer, design, environmental review, servicing, permitting, or other preliminary work has been completed.
2. Explain the apparent schedule change between the 2025 and 2026 capital forecasts, including why major funding appears to have moved from 2028 to 2029.
3. Release a detailed project schedule with target dates for community consultation, concept design, detailed design, approvals, tendering, construction commencement, and public opening.
4. Confirm the funding commitment, including whether the full $7.52 million remains available and whether any portion depends on grants, development charges, developer contributions, land conveyance, or other conditions.
5. Accelerate design and construction wherever possible, recognizing that residents have already lived in the community for several years without the planned park.
6. Add West Gormley Community Park to the City’s public Parks Projects page, with a named project contact and regular progress updates.
7. Consult Oakridge Meadows residents before finalizing the design, including families with children, youth, seniors, and residents with disabilities.
8. Maintain the site until construction begins, including weed control, litter removal, drainage checks, fencing where necessary, and measures addressing fire, pest, visibility, and public-safety concerns.
9. Clarify the responsibilities of the City and the four builders, including whether any outstanding land transfer, servicing, subdivision, financial, or construction obligation is delaying the project.
10. Provide safe interim recreation options for neighbourhood children if the permanent park cannot be opened promptly.

Our community deserves transparency and action

We understand that planning and construction of public infrastructure takes time and that projects must go through appropriate processes.

But our community also deserves transparency, accountability and a realistic timeline.

Our community is ready

We are not asking for luxury.

We are asking for the basic infrastructure that a growing, family-oriented community needs.

A park is more than playground equipment or green space. It is where children make friends, families meet neighbours, people walk their dogs, seniors get outside, and a neighbourhood becomes a true community.

West Gormley is already here.

Our families are already here.

Our children are already here.

Now we need the park to be here too.

Please sign this petition and help us ask the City of Richmond Hill to bring West Gormley Community Park to life — as soon as reasonably possible.

Let’s make sure our children don’t have to wait for the next generation to enjoy the park that was planned for their community.