From Mayor Dave’s Desk: May 2025 e-Newsletter

This edition is jam-packed with information about Uxbridge’s participation in the ParticipACTION Community Challenge for a chance to win $100,000, recreation events taking place this June, and departmental updates from across Township facilities! 

Not yet signed up? Subscribe here! 

 

https://gqr.sh/CcbT   

In this month’s video, Mayor Dave discusses ParticipACTION, updates around the Fields of Uxbridge and answers residents’ questions. Podcast link Mayor Dave references in the video can be found here. 

 

Mayor, Dave Barton: 

I’d love to hear from you! If you have questions about local issues, upcoming events, or anything else on your mind, send them my way. Just email mayor@uxbridge.ca with the subject line "Mayor's Q&A." If your question is for a specific councillor, I'm happy to have them join the next video segment as well! I’ll be answering selected questions in a video next month. Looking forward to your submissions. Let’s keep the conversation going! 

 

The busy regional road construction season is in full swing. Durham 1 toward Leaskdale continues to be ahead of schedule. Substantial completion is expected by July. The contractor is doing a fantastic job of working with local home owners and farms. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the Foster Memorial, berry farms and on-site farmers’ markets. 

Although ten regional road projects are planned this year, the potentially most disruptive one will be the bridge replacement on Durham 8 near Siloam. This critical project will result in a full closure. Preparations have begun. Exact timing depends on other project completions and weather. Keep an eye on signage and the Region’s social media channels when planning alternate routes. 

Although the United Church Kindred Works project is not a Regional project, the Region did commit to $2.75 Million to encourage affordability. The removal of existing buildings on Main St. is a positive sign that the project is moving forward. 

Transit ridership in the first five months of 2025 has hit record levels. Efforts continue with DRT management, to seek ways to ensure on-demand and scheduled bus routes will align with residents’ demands. The focus is on ensuring riders of all physical abilities are properly served. 

To wrap up, Uxbridge residents are not immune from the pressures of economic uncertainty. As the saying goes, ‘it’s ok to not be ok’. A confidential call to 311, will connect callers with Regional Social Services who can provide mental health support in many forms. Agriculture families can additionally access the Agriculture Wellness Ontario program. 

 

Join us in helping to keep Goodwood beautiful! Community volunteers are needed on Saturday May 31st, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for a park cleanup initiative. 

Cleanup efforts will take place at two locations: 

1. Goodwood Community Centre Park 

2. Harold Bell Park (following the initial cleanup) 

All volunteers are asked to meet at the Goodwood Community Centre at 9:00 a.m. to sign in and collect necessary supplies, including gloves and garbage bags. This is a great opportunity to get involved, enjoy the outdoors, and contribute to your community’s well-being. 

 

May was a busy month for service groups and their dedicated volunteers. The Udora-Leaskdale Lions Club launched their 39th Annual Canoe River Run on Saturday, May 3rd with a 14.5 km ride along the Pefferlaw River from the Zephyr Road access to the Pefferlaw Dam. One hundred and twenty paddlers raised $4,000 which was donated to Cancer Canada to fight childhood cancer. Thank you to the organizers and participants! 

Leaskdale Park will soon be receiving two new trees courtesy of the Lions. They planted one last fall around the playground. Once again, a sincere thank you to the Udora-Leaskdale Lions Club for all the great work that its members do in the community. 

The Zephyr Scott Lions have officially adopted Zephyr Road and on Saturday, May 10th over a dozen volunteers showed up to help clean roadside shoulders and ditches. They collected several bags of garbage and recyclables. Thank you to the Club for its efforts to make Zephyr cleaner and greener! 

This past Saturday, May 24th, the Zephyr Scott Lions hosted a Spring Market at Zephyr Hall. An amazing group of vendors offered homemade/handmade goods for sale. The Club also served a delicious BBQ with several food choices. The future appears to be bright in Ward 2, as a service club volunteers continue to model what it takes to promote a strong sense of community spirit and involvement. 

 

I love chairing Tourism, Parks and Facilities and wanted to share some of my favourite things to do right here in Uxbridge this summer! With many Canadians exploring closer to home, now is the perfect time to rediscover Uxbridge, or invite a friend to join you for an adventure! Whether you’re after live music, farm-fresh goods, or fun with the kids, there’s something for everyone. 

• Uxbridge Farmers’ Market: Every Sunday from May to October (9am-2pm) at the Second Wedge Brewing Co. — browse local vendors, enjoy live music, and soak in the community vibes. 

• Slabtown Cider Co.: A cider-lover’s dream, with great food and stunning views from their hilltop patio. 

• Uxbridge Public Library: Offering programs for all ages, including Junior Scientists, Reading Buddies, and more! Check the library site for schedules. 

• Downtown Uxbridge: Take a stroll through our charming, ever-evolving downtown. Unique shops, cozy cafes, and the ongoing Downtown Revitalization project are making it even more vibrant. 

• Springtide Music Festival: June 12-14 — Uxbridge comes alive with music from across Canada in one unforgettable weekend of performances downtown. 

There’s no need to travel far for a great summer. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore Uxbridge’s stunning trails, green spaces, and local history! 

 

It’s almost that time of year! Canada Day is fast approaching, and the Canada Day Committee is getting ready to celebrate at Elgin Park. On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, join us for an evening filled with activities, live entertainment from Hits 105.5, food vendors, and community spirit. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m., and the festivities will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at dusk. Stay tuned for more details. 

In addition to Canada Day preparations, the Township is excited to participate in the ParticipACTION Community Challenge. The Active Transportation Committee will be attending the kick-off event on June 1 at the Multi Sport Court, at Bonner Fields (1 Capstick Lane), so make sure to stop by and say “hi'“. Residents are encouraged to come out and support this initiative, which promotes physical activity and community involvement throughout the month of June. 

Please note that the next phase of construction on Cemetery Road is set to begin on June 16, with preliminary mobilization starting on June 9. The work is anticipated to be completed by early September. We will continue to share updates and road closure notifications as the project moves forward. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation during this time. 

 

Ward 5 Councillor, Todd Snooks: 

Three pocket forests are coming to Ward 5 this year. This initiative is continuing after Uxbridge’s first Miyawaki-Style mini forest planted last year. The pocket forests will be installed at the King St Parkette and will bring more greenery and environmental benefits to residents of the surrounding areas. 

There will be two volunteering opportunities to bring this project to life, starting with land preparation in June, and followed by tree planting in October. To learn more about the project and how to get involved, please see the section New Miyawaki-Style Forests further in the newsletter. 

Lastly, please be advised of some activity happening around the Train Station site. The VIA Historical Association has commenced work at the Train Station Site (19 Railway Street) to extract and salvage train cars located on the property. 

Neighbouring residents may notice increased activity, machinery, and some noise in the area during this period. 

 

Uxbridge is taking part in the ParticipACTION Community Challenge, a national campaign to find Canada’s Most Active Community, and we’re aiming for the top prize! 

The winning community will receive $100,000 to support local sport and physical activity programs, and we need your help to get there! 

How can you help? 

As an individual: 

• Track participation throughout the month. Every person who gets active brings Uxbridge one step closer to winning the grand prize! 

Local Organizations: 

• Register your June programs and events on the ParticipACTION website 

• Track the attendance of participants in your program(s), initiative(s), and/or event(s) from June 1 to 30 to boost Uxbridge’s score. 

Let’s move together and show Canada the strength of the Uxbridge community. 

Learn more here. 

 

June is... Recreation and Parks Month 

The Township of Uxbridge is thrilled to celebrate Recreation and Parks Month this June in partnership with Durham Tourism and the Durham Region Health Department. Together with municipalities across Durham Region, we’re inviting you to enjoy free, family-friendly events and activities all month long! 

Use the Recreation and Parks Month Passport as your guide to discover exciting ways to get active, explore nature, and connect with your community. From outdoor adventures to wellness programs, there's something for everyone to enjoy right here in Uxbridge and across Durham. 

As you participate in events, don’t forget to check off your Passport for a chance to win a brand-new bicycle! Whether you're hiking the trails, joining a fitness class, or attending a community event, every activity brings you closer to the grand prize. 

Check out the full list of Uxbridge events here. 

 

Don’t forget to participate in the Huck Finn Photo Contest! This fun and family-friendly contest is open to youth aged 15 or younger. Adults are welcome to take and submit the photo on behalf of a youth participant. 

To be entered into any of the monthly draws, photo submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the month. The prize for May is an 8-person dome tent, courtesy of Canadian Tire Uxbridge! Stay tuned to find out what prizes are coming up in the months ahead. 

Send your photos to events@uxbridge.ca. 

For full contest rules and details, visit www.uxbridge.ca/huckfinn. 

 

The Township of Uxbridge Trails Committee in collaboration with the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park, is launching a brand-new series of guided trail walks this summer! 

There are 3 guided walks planned, each with their own theme. Dates, times, and descriptions of each walk are provided below: 

• • Learn ways to identify trees by their bark, branching, buds and colouring. 

• Trail of the Ice Giants: Uncovering the Secrets of the Moraine — Saturday, June 21st, from 10:00-11:30 am at the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park 

• • Learn to spot evidence of glaciation and why the Moraine is a protected landform. 

• Trees and Invasive Species — Saturday, October 4th, from 10:00-11:30 am at the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve 
  • Discover the trees and invasive species throughout the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve. 

For more information or to register for any of the walks, please email events@uxbridge.ca. 

 

Is your furry friend ready for the spotlight? For $10, you can submit adorable photos of your pet for the Uxbridge Scugog Animal Shelter’s 2026 Super Pet Fundraising Calendar. 

All submitted photos will be featured in the calendar, but thirteen pets will be selected as “Super Pet of the Month” winners. 

Calendars will also be for sale for $15 each. If you would like to purchase a calendar, you can pre-order one now at any of the locations listed below. 

Entry and calendar pre-order forms are available for pickup at the following locations: 

 

Proceeds from the Super Pet Calendar sales will help cover the costs of caring for animals at the Uxbridge Scugog Animal Shelter. 

For more information about the project contact Animal Services at (905) 985-9547.

 

The Township of Uxbridge is proud to partner with the Rotary Club of Uxbridge to announce two new tree planting initiatives. 

These initiatives will be following the success of the original mini forest planted at the Fields of Uxbridge in 2024, the first of its kind in Durham Region to implement the Miyawaki method of planting. 

The first project will see three pocket forests installed at the King Street Parkette (232 King Street West) and the second project will create a new mini forest planted adjacent to the original at the Fields of Uxbridge (335 Durham Regional Road 1). 

Community members interested in volunteering can register using the links below: 

To learn more about the making of this project check out: https://gqr.sh/2dEt  

For more information about this project, please email trails@uxbridge.ca. 

 

Reminder residents, drive with caution on roads as potholes may have developed over the winter. Our public works team monitors the conditions and repair potholes as soon as possible. To report a pothole, email roads@uxbridge.ca 

Crews are currently sweeping in the hamlets and rural areas. If the crews have already been by and missed part of your street, don’t worry, they’ll be coming back for a second pass. 

If you notice a spot that was missed, please send an email to roads@uxbridge.ca so we can make sure it gets done. 

 

The Clerk’s Department is busier than ever! Here are some highlights of our ongoing work: 

• National AccessAbility Week, May 25–31, 2025: The Township proudly recognized National AccessAbility Week with a variety of events, including a flag raising and an information booth. But the learning doesn’t end when the week does, there’s always more to learn and understand. Click here: https://easterseals.ca/en/redshirtday/ for more information. 

• Taxi By-law Amendment: At the end of April, Council approved a proposed amendment to the Taxi By-law aimed at enhancing taxi services and allowing for cross-boundary pick-ups. Learn more here. 

• Accessibility Audit at Uxbridge Public Library: The Township engaged the Abilities Centre to conduct an accessibility audit of the Uxbridge Public Library. The final report has been received, and we are currently implementing recommended improvements. Stay tuned for updates! 

• Internet Voting Approved: Council recently approved a report permitting the use of internet voting in the upcoming 2026 municipal and school board election. More information is available here. 

New Animal Shelter Project: Progress continues on the new animal shelter, with staff working hard on the next phase. More updates will be shared as they become available. 

 

Summer Swimming Lessons Registration 

• Registration now open, visit www.uxbridge.ca/uxpool to register today! 

Here’s a list of events happening at Uxpool this June, as part of both the "June Is..." campaign and ParticipACTION: 

Saturday, June 7, 1:00–3:00 PM 

Location: Uxpool (1 Parkside Dr.)  

No registration required. 

Saturday, June 21, 1:00–3:00 PM 

Location: Uxpool (1 Parkside Dr.) 

No registration required.   

 

This month, the library has some exciting programs: 

• Poetry Aloud — June 10th from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

• • Join Bruce Brandon and friends to celebrate the joy of reading poetry aloud. Bring your favourite poem to recite to the group, or just come and listen. 

• Artsy Afternoon — June 12th 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

• • Follow a step-by-step lesson in sculpting a bowl, and a second item of your choice. Geared for children grades 3-5. This activity has a fee of $10/child. 

• Drag Queen Storytime — June 21st starting at 3:30 p.m. 

• • A family friendly Storytime presented by Durham Children’s Aid Society. Participants must pre-register for this event. 

This is just a glimpse of what’s happening at the Uxbridge Public Library. For more details on upcoming events, visit our calendar of events: https://gqr.sh/K5kR. 

 

Here’s a list of recreation events happening this June, as part of both the "June Is..." campaign and ParticipACTION: 

Sunday, June 1, 1:00–3:00 PM 

Location: Inclusive Multi-Sport Field (Bonner Fields, 1 Capstick Lane) 

No registration required.  

Explore and Discover Family Walks 

Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17 & 24 at 9:15 AM and 10:30 AM 

Location: Countryside Preserve. 

No registration required. 

Wednesdays, June 11 & 18, 9:00–10:30 AM 

Location: Arena (291 Brock St. W.) 

No registration required. 

 

Uxbridge Historical Centre Updates 

The gazebo at the Museum was recently repaired and freshly painted. It’s now looking better than ever and ready to host your special events! 

The gazebo is available for wedding rentals and other gatherings. Interested in renting the space? Visit https://www.uxbridgehistoricalcentre.com/uhc-rentals. 

Here’s a list of recreation events happening this June, as part of both the "June Is..." campaign and ParticipACTION: 

Horseshoes at the Museum 

Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17 & 24 at 6:00 PM 

Location: Uxbridge Historical Centre (7239 Conc. 6) 

First session free; membership required for future visits. 

Saturday, June 7, 10:00–11:00 AM 

Location: Uxbridge Historical Centre (7239 Conc. 6) 

Register through ActiveNet. 

 

Tax Update 

The second property tax bill for the year has been mailed out and includes information on the final two property tax installments for the year. 

You have several convenient ways to pay your property taxes: 

• By Mail: Send a cheque to the Township office. *Please note, an impending postal strike may impact this option. 

• Online/Phone Banking: Pay through your financial institution. 

• In Person: Visit the Municipal Office to pay by cash, cheque, debit, or post-dated cheque. 

• At Your Bank: Payments can be made at most banks and trust companies. 

• By Credit Card or Interac e-Transfer: Visit https://gqr.sh/HUNk make a secure payment online. (Note: Service fees apply.) 

The Township also offers pre-authorized payment plans, learn more here.  

If you have questions about your property taxes, please contact the Tax Department at tax@uxbridge.ca. 

 

Members of the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario Division recently presented to council about the mental health challenges faced by those in the agricultural sector. They outlined a number of practical resources, including workshops and training programs, aimed at supporting mental well-being in farming communities.  

These resources are timely and relevant, given the unique pressures in agriculture. We encourage those working in the sector to take advantage of the support available. 

View the presentation here or reach out to them directly for more information at www.agriculturewellnessontario.ca.

 

The Ontario government is reintroducing the Emergency Management Modernization Act, 2025, which positions Ontario Corps as a key part of disaster response across the province. 

 Ontario Corps is a network of trained volunteers and partner organizations that can be quickly deployed during emergencies. During this spring’s ice storm, they delivered meals, performed wellness checks, cleared debris, and supported evacuation centres. 

As the Township marks the three-year anniversary of the EF2 tornado, the importance of assistance and support during times of crisis is deeply understood. Those interested are encouraged to register with Ontario Corps to not only help their local community during future crises but also to support others across Ontario when it matters most. 

Learn more here.