June 1, 2020

Beginning today, the City of Mississauga is reopening select park amenities and parking lots as part of its Phase 2 COVID-19 recovery plan. The reopened amenities include leash-free zones (Union Park and Community Common remain closed), BMX/skate parks, tennis courts, community tennis clubs, picnic shelters, park benches and seasonal washrooms.

“As we work to slowly reopen our park amenities, we understand that some of our parks, such as those along our waterfronts, will see an increase in visits and use,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We encourage residents to continue to stay local, stay apart and to use their common sense. If you arrive at a park and it is busy, please turn around and go home. We will continue education and enforcement at our outdoor facilities to keep you safe with added bike patrols and a Parks Ambassador Program. As per the Provincial Order, people must continue to maintain a safe physical distance of 2 metres and avoid park amenities such as playgrounds that remain closed. We appreciate your patience and commitment to helping us keep Mississauga safe and healthy.”

The list of reopened park amenities and parking lots is available online.

The City will put in place additional safety measures to ensure that the public follows physical distancing guidelines and avoid areas that remained closed. Signs will be posted with health and safety guidelines, and park ambassadors – who will be clearly identified – will be available to educate and inform the public. Enforcement staff will also continue to patrol areas.

“We are glad to be able to reopen some of our amenities for the public to use and enjoy,” said Jodi Robillos, Director of Parks, Forestry and Environment. “While we encourage residents to go outside, we are also reminding residents to follow the health and safety guidelines and closures that are still in place.”

The following park amenities remain closed:

• Sport fields
• Multi-sport, basketball and bocce courts
• Union Park and Community Common leash-free zones (size cannot meet physical distancing requirements)
• Boat launch at Marina Park (due to high water levels)
• Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment (under Provincial Order)
• Spray pads and wading pools (under Provincial order)

To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit mississauga.ca/coronavirus.

City of Mississauga COVID-19 Response Continues: Re-opening Plans, Public Engagement,  Events Cancelled

Re-opening plans and procedures outlined, Public Engagement – projects identified, Permits & Events Cancelled to September 7, MiWay Safety During Pandemic

COVID-19 | May 27, 2020

Today, Mississauga City Council approved a plan for a measured and phased re-opening of outdoor recreation amenities, cancelling events at City facilities to September 7, 2020 and plans and principles for community engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We continue to work to protect our City while taking a slow and measured approach to re-opening our parks facilities,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Today, Council made the decision to first reopen individual activities in parks that carry a lower risk such as skateboard and leash-free dog parks. We will explore a broader re-opening based on case numbers and how well people follow the guidelines. We also made the tough decision today to cancel major festivals and large events at City facilities and parks for the rest of the summer in an effort to prevent further spread. We remain committed to engaging the community on City building projects and will proceed with virtual engagement sessions on essential, priority projects. We once again thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding as we navigate re-opening and recovery.”

Phased Re-Opening of Outdoor Recreation Facilities

Council approved a phased approach and safety procedures for the re-opening of City outdoor recreation amenities. Communications, physical distancing and signage are included in the plans and will be developed. Phases will be implemented in consultation with the Region of Peel Medical Officer of Health. Physical distancing is now a requirement in the park amenity re-openings as per the updated Provincial Orders.

The following outdoor recreation amenities have re-opened with safety and operational plans in place to minimize risks associated with COVID-19 (City of Mississauga Phase 1):

• Municipal Golf Courses
• Public Marinas and boat launch at Lakefront Promenade
• Community Gardens, in partnership with Ecosource 

Park and Community Parking lots

Select park and community parking lots will open on Friday May 29, 2020.  Parking lots associated with Phase 2 amenities will open as those facilities are made available to the public.

Phase 2 – Starting June 1, 2020

• Park benches and picnic shelters
• Leash-free zones
• BMX/Skate parks
• Public tennis courts
• Community tennis clubs
• Seasonal washrooms and portable washrooms

Physical distancing measures must be maintained as per the Provincial Order.

Phase 3 – To be completed within 10 days of approval and with guidance from the Peel Region Medical Officer of Health

• Multi-sport, basketball and bocce courts
• Community sport fields

Physical distancing measures must be maintained

Phase 4/TBD – These facilities continue to remain closed until further notice. 

• Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment (currently closed under Provincial Order)
• Public boat launch at Marina Park will open when highwater levels subside

Enforcement will continue to focus on education and ensuring residents are informed about ongoing closures and any re-openings.

Park Ambassador Program

As outdoor recreation facilities begin a phased re-opening, the City will be redeploying full-time staff to work in pairs at our major parks across the City.  They will be clearly identified as City staff and will engage with residents to educate them on physical distancing requirements and closures within our parks.

Festivals, Events and Gatherings within City Facilities Cancelled to September 7

Council approved the cancellation of permits for major festivals, large events and other gatherings in City facilities until September 7, 2020. Impacted permit holders will be notified by City staff.

As provincial orders are revised, City staff will work with guidance from Peel Public Health on establishing parameters for the safe re-opening of facilities and permitting of small group activities.

Community Engagement for City-Led Projects During COVID–19 Pandemic

Council approved a report on Community Engagement for identified City-Led Projects and engagement principles during the COVID–19 Pandemic.

Staff looked at projects:

• with statutory engagement requirements
• deemed as “essential” projects under Ontario Regulation 82/20 – Closure of Non-Essential Businesses
• having a level of risk with further delay associated with project timing, cost, resources, development dependencies and quality of engagement 

All engagements proceeding during the pandemic are to apply the following principles:

• No in-person engagement until further notice
• Project Leads to work with the local ward Councillor on appropriate timing and engagement methods
• Virtual engagement sessions to be conducted through City-supported technology tools and paired with universally accessible methods (e.g., individual telephone calls, direct mail notification, e-mails, online surveys)
• Engagement during popular vacation weeks and dates of significance should be avoided in keeping with regular practices

Development applications are not in scope of these engagements.

MiWay Safety During COVID-19 Pandemic

MiWay remains committed to providing city-wide transit service and supporting the physical distancing efforts recommended by Peel Public Health and the provincial and federal governments.

At this time the Ontario Ministry of Health recommends the use a face covering (non-medical mask such as a cloth mask) to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 when physical distancing and keeping two-metres’ distance from others may be challenging or not possible such as on public transit. Learn about face coverings, including how to properly fit, wear, remove and clean your non-medical face mask while using MiWay.

To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit: Mississauga.ca/coronavirus or call 311.

I would like to share with you an upcoming online webinar that EDO is hosting entitled, “Working Together Six feet Apart:  Planning a Safe Return to the Office” on Monday, June 1^st at 10:00am.  This free webinar will help companies plan for re-opening through the Province’s first phase of recovery.

This webinar is the result of feedback we received through our engagement with our business community, BIAs and business associations.

Please share this link to your business community and clients who may be interested in registering for this webinar.

Our webinars have been very popular and we are continuing to evolve these based on the areas of interest expressed by our business community. To see other webinars that EDO is offering to our business community click here.

As always, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.