Media Releases

City of Burlington’s updated draft Burlington Engagement Charter ready for review

The City of Burlington’s updated draft Community Engagement Charter is now ready for review before being finalized.

The City has used public feedback on the original Charter to create this draft.

To date we have engaged with a variety of groups and individuals such as residents, City staff, Members of Council, community groups local businesses, Council appointed Committees, faith-based groups and past members of the Charter Action Team. Staff also sought input at the Food for Feedback event and the Appleby Street Festival in fall 2023.

Some of the proposed changes or updates based on what we heard include:

• Having more detail and explanations.
• Providing an emphasis on accountability, including standards for reporting back on how public feedback was or was not used in the decision-making.
• Prioritizing inclusion, making sure all voices are included, with an emphasis on efforts to consider interpreters/translation, reaching out to underrepresented groups.
• Allowing current and future technology...

City sharing tree care tips ahead of May long weekend

Burlington, Ont.— May 16, 2024— With the long weekend ahead, many residents will be spending time in their yards cleaning up from winter and preparing their lawns and gardens for the summer. The City is sharing tips with residents who are planning on doing tree maintenance in their yard or in front of their home this planting season.

Tree maintenance and care

• It is against the Public Tree By-law (068-2013) to do any landscaping around the trunk of any City tree that includes large rocks, masonry and tree-surrounds. Stones and bricks placed in and around the base of trees can impact their ability to absorb oxygen and water. This can be damaging to the health of the tree.
• “Volcano mulching”, where there is a thick layer of soil in contact with the tree trunk, is prohibited. This can cause bark decay and a root problem called root girdling. The proper way to mulch is in more of a doughnut shape so the tree trunk has room to breathe. The depth of the mulch should be about 5 cm, or slightly...

Visiting Lowville Park? Reserved weekend parking starts again on May 18

Burlington, Ont.—May 14, 2024—Visitors to Lowville Park should reserve their free parking spot for park visits from May 18 until Oct. 7, 2024. Reservations can be made online using Park Pass and are needed on weekends and holidays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There is no charge for reservations.

Visitors may book one spot per day as there are a limited number of parking spots available. Reservations are available in three-hour time slots and allow others the chance to enjoy the park.

How it works:

• One vehicle per reservation.
• Those walking or biking into the park don’t need a reservation.
• Visits are three hours long and include in and out privileges.
• Visitors will get an access code to enter the park at the automated entrance gates. Stop on the line so the camera can take a clear scan of the license plate or use the bar code or numeric code on the keypad. This will open the gate. The gates will be left in the up/open position during weekdays when advanced reservations are not needed.
• Vehicles...

Happy Victoria Day: What’s open and closed at the City

Burlington, Ont. — May 13, 2024 — City of Burlington administrative services will be closed for Victoria Day on Monday, May 20. For a list of which City services and facilities are available on the Victoria Day holiday, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca.

Fireworks reminder

Fireworks are permitted to be set off on Victoria Day only (May 20). Please continue to use our valued outdoor spaces responsibly. The City's bylaw regulates where and when residents can set off family (low hazard) fireworks. For more information about who to contact if you have a concern, visit burlington.ca/fireworks.

City Service

Holiday Closure Information

Animal Services

The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Monday, May 20.

To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 1-888-264-3135.

Burlington Transit

Burlington Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, May 20. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride...

Paid parking starts at Beachway on May 18

Burlington, Ont. — May 13, 2024 — As warm weather and long weekends begins, the City is expecting more visitors to its popular Beachway Park. Starting May 18, visitors to the Beachway will need to pay for parking. This also includes the overflow lot at Lakeshore Road and Willow Avenue.

Fees will be charged from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays until the last weekend in September: Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. Parking fees can be paid using the HONK mobile app. Visitors do not have to download the app but can scan the QR code on parking lot signage to pay for parking.

Weekend and holiday parking is available for an hourly rate of $2.50 or a daily flat rate of $20. There is a transaction fee of $0.35 for each payment. Dashboard tickets are not needed as every payment is linked to a license plate number.

Halton residents have 10 days of free parking per year at Beachway Park. Residents should wait to fill out the parking exemption form once they’ve arrived at the beach and parked in a legal...