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Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.

Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.
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  • Area Future
    • Bayview & John Visioning
    • Thornhill Square
    • 2022 Bayview&John Vision
    • Development Stats&Photos
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    • Windy Hill Park
    • Maple Valley Access
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    • Home
    • Area Future
      • Bayview & John Visioning
      • Thornhill Square
      • 2022 Bayview&John Vision
      • Development Stats&Photos
      • A-W Neighborhood
    • Other Projects
      • Windy Hill Park
      • Maple Valley Access
      • Flood Remediation
    • JOIN US
      • Get Involved
      • MEMBERSHIP
    • What's New?
    • About AWRA
      • The AWRA Story
      • AWRA Executive Team
      • AWRA AGMs
      • AWRA in the News
      • AWRA's Constitution
    • Archive
    • Links

Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.

Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc.

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Area Future
    • Bayview & John Visioning
    • Thornhill Square
    • 2022 Bayview&John Vision
    • Development Stats&Photos
    • A-W Neighborhood
  • Other Projects
    • Windy Hill Park
    • Maple Valley Access
    • Flood Remediation
  • JOIN US
    • Get Involved
    • MEMBERSHIP
  • What's New?
  • About AWRA
    • The AWRA Story
    • AWRA Executive Team
    • AWRA AGMs
    • AWRA in the News
    • AWRA's Constitution
  • Archive
  • Links

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NOTE TO VISITORS

Some of the information in this page is outdated.

Still, it reflects AWRA's long time advocacy for a comprehensive urban plan for our area and some of our guiding principles.


Updates:

  • On October 2023, Thornhill Square redevelopment was settle (see details here). Unfortunately, it does not longer hold a central role in the visioning of Bayview & John
  • On September 2024, City of Markham is starting a Bayview & John visioning exercise (click here for details). The future of the Thornhill Community Centre and Shouldice public properties will be the main focus of the exercise


We are pro-development!

AWRA's John & Bayview Vision

The Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association is in favour of a redevelopment of the Bayview and John area, but the design and development  must be the result of comprehensive planning that will make Thornhill an even better place to live!  This would be achieved through: 


  • Excellent Urban Design & Land-Use Planning
    • Improve liveability and well-being for both its current and future residents.
    • Urban design that transforms the area into a 'complete community' where residents do not need to leave their neighbourhoods in order to meet their basic needs.
    • The area should include space for a variety of community, recreational, retail, and commercial uses (egs., grocery stores, cafes, shops, etc.)
    • Good architecture and high-quality public spaces support a sense of place and create a more welcoming and animated public realm (e.g. for pedestrians)
    • Reasonable scale transitions between buildings and single family homes to respect the existing neighbourhood context.
    • Establishes good precedents for future intensification. In particular, building heights no taller than the existing Landmark buildings!


  • Improve Transit & Reduce Car Dependency
    • Reduce car dependency: Residents should perceive transit to be at least as good as (if not better than) car use for daily commuting and out-of-area trips.
    • York Region should commit to improving public transit through: more frequent service on bus routes #2, #3, and #91; new transit priority measures; and better transit access to Langstaff GO Station, Hwy 7 BRT and future subway stations.
    • Area road system needs to be assessed and revised to ensure traffic will flow under the future demand.


  • High Quality Services
    • The number of new residents should be proportionate to the scale of existing municipal services (e.g., recreational spaces, libraries, childcare), unless the municipality or developer actively commits to fund the requisite improvements (via community benefit agreements).


  • The Provision of Adequate Green Space
    • New residents in the development need access to high quality public spaces - such as parks, playgrounds and dog parks within walking distance of where they’ll live.  


New Developments at Bayview and John also must be:


  • Consistent with the Official Plan which presents a vision of Thornhill Centre (area covered by Thornhill Square and Thornhill Community Centre) serving as a focal point for the community.


  • Developed in active collaboration between urbanists, developers, City of Markham officials and planners, transit planners, traffic and environmental experts, and community representatives.


On recent tours with Markham Municipal Councillors and MPPs,

AWRA and other resident groups 

shared a possible vision 

for the Thornhill Square (Hazelview) property 

via a handout which pictured this model:

Our Conceptual Vision for Thornhill:

Thornhill Square & Community Centre

Similar to Clarendon in Arlington, VA: Market Common involved a complex arrangement and integration of different types of housing and retail uses around an energized public square. Image taken from McCaffery website on July 27/22.

Our Conceptual Vision!

The horseshoe-shaped retail and housing complex in Arlington, Virginia (pictured above) is an exciting model, as it will encourage area residents to shop locally and consider leaving the car at home! 

AWRA Letter to Mayor requests Plan for Thornhill Town Centre

Download PDF

Copyright © 2024 Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Inc. - All Rights Reserved.

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AWRA Updates

 As of May 1, 2025 content has been updated on:


  • Thornhill Square Redevelopment status


  • Bayview & John Visioning Exercise
    Creating a new vision for the Bayview and John area is crucial for the future livability of Markham-Thornhill. Check out working session summaries and next steps
  • Windy Hill Spring Clean Up & Meet was a Success!!
    Over 10 people helped to keep the park beautiful  including residents, area students and Councilor Keith Irish


  • 2025 AWRA Annual General Meeting on April 3rd was a success!! Check out AWRA Executive and Ward 1 Councilor Keith Irish slide decks


Learn More