Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Latest News
Join or Renew Your Membership
Support our efforts by joining or renewing your membership today. Continued membership helps sustain community initiatives and ensures that our area remains a wonderful place for everyone.
Please Renew or Join by sending $20 to awra.thornhill@gmail.com
Windy Hill Fall Park News
Clean Up & Meet on November 1 was a Success.
Thank you to all residents for attending.
NOTICE: Park will be closed for improvements soon.
Visit our Windy Hill Park webpage for details or contact secretary.awra.thornhill@gmail.com
2026 Markham Municipal Election
2026 Markham Municipal Election Results.
Watch Thornhill WARD 1 All Candidates now!! Meeting is available on Youtube
An opportunity to meet and listen the candidates who are running for Ward One Councillor, Mayor, Regional Councillor, and School Trustee. See the flyer for details.
Date: Monday October 5, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Location: Thornhill Community Centre, 7755 Bayview Avenue, Activity Rooms B1 & B2
Developments Update
For details on development news check our Urban Development Outlook Section
East Langstaff Gateway
On July 14th, 2026 Council approved to support MZO request doubling the density
2300 John St
On July 28, 2026 the OLT issued an interim decision in support of the developer
Bayview & John Visioning Recommendations Information Session was on Monday April 27
Visit Bayview & John Visioning Exercise for details and next steps
See Councilor Irish invitation here.
Unfortunately, Staff Recommendations were not provided and the meeting mainly review what was discussed a year ago.
For years AWRA has been lobbying for the creation of a comprehensive development plan for Thornhill Centre (a.k.a. Bayview-John area) which the Markham Official Plan portraits as a "Local Centre" and we believe to become the “heart” of the Markham-Thornhill community.
On June 25, 2024 Development Services Committee passed a motion to start a visioning exercise of the area. Markham conducted 3 working sessions: Jan 13, Jan 22 and Feb 13, 2025 at the the Thornhill Community Centre.
Over 140 residents attended and discussion with Markham elected officials and staff was lively.
A consolidated session report was published on May and presented to DSC on June 10th.
Public Info Session - Oct 7 Proposed new Telecommunication Pole (428 John St)
Shared Tower Inc. has submitted a proposal for a new telecommunications 25m pole structure located at 428 John Street, Markham, ON L3T 1Z1.
A Public Information Session will take place at Thornhill Community Centre, Activity Room B8 on October 7th, 2026 from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
For details:
Your input to Parks Redevelopment Strategy and Implementation Plan is due April 15
Markham has started planning the future of our parks.
The plan will guide how Markham chooses and invests in upgrading certain parks over the next 10 years.
To Learn More and to share your feedback, visit the Markham Parks Project website.
The survey has been extended to April 15, 2026
2026 AGM Meeting Slide Decks are now Available
Learn about the good work we have done over the past year, and about the continuing challenges our area faces and for which we need your support.
AWRA and Councilor Keith Irish slide decks are now available.
Sunday, April 26, 2026 Pomona Mills Park Clean-up and Bird Watching
Meet at east side of Henderson Avenue and Forest Park Crescent
10 am - 11:30 am Community Litter Clean Up
11:30 an Guided Bird Watching Walk
For more information contact Valerie Burke valerie12burke@gmail.com
95 Green Lane: New Development Application
On Dec 2, 2025, Markham received an application proposal for 18 townhouse dwellings units.
Application process will continue with a recommendation report by Urban Planning staff to DSC in the coming months.
For more details check out the Public Meeting information Report (PMIR) and Proposal Documents on MappIT.
The Shops on Steeles - Redevelopment Update
On Jan 20, 2026, Development Services Committee (DSC) received a Recommendation Report to refuse the development application.
DSC gave more time for the developer to update the proposal (expected around May).
For more details:
You can read the report here and check out the Proposal Documents on MappIT.
Thornhill Square Redevelopment Status
Visit Thornhill Square Redevelopment webpage for details and next steps
Thornhill Square is a key component in the creation of a urban vision for the Bayview & John area
As of Dec 5th, 2025, more than 2 years after the settlement agreement, no solution on the sewage capacity has been provided to the OLT tribunal. OLT considers the case closed (no further action) until the parties are ready to re-open it.
On Sep, 2024 the Property was listed for sale
On Feb 5th, 2024 AWRA sent a formal letter to Council Rejecting Thornhill Square Settlement Agreement.
This letter follows our previous Nov 6, 2023 Letter Correcting inaccurate information entered into evidence at the Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing Case No. OLT-22-003917, held Friday October 13, 2023
Aileen-Willowbrook Residents Association (AWRA) Past News
Snow Windrow Removal
Markham is considering to add Windrow Cleaning service at $4 million cost in the next budget cycle.
If you are interested to provide you feedback, Regional Councilor Alan Ho conducted a survey to assess interest.
You can check out how this service is done across the GTA here.
The City currently offers a Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program for senior over 60 years old or the individual is unable to shovel snow. Access form here.
Windy Hill Spring Park Clean Up & Meet on April 12 @ 10AM was a Success!!
Visit our Windy Hill Park webpage for details or contact secretary.awra.thornhill@gmail.com
Thank you to all Residents and Councilor Keith Irish showing up even when it was a cold and rainy day!!!
Home Energy Retrofits - Markham and Richmond Hill Virtual Open House on March 2
As part of the Markham & Richmond Hill joint Home Energy Retrofits Feasibility Study, a free virtual session will take place on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 7 to 8 PM.
The session will share information on the study as well as available funding programs and supports that can help residents reduce their energy use at home.
AWRA Last Updated: Nov 1, 2026.
Click Learn More below for more detailed information about:
- Join or Renew Your Membership
Please Renew or Join by sending $20 to awra.thornhill@gmail.com
- Windy Hill Park Update
- 2026 Markham Municipal Election Results
- Watch Ward 1 All Candidates Oct 5 Meeting
- Area Development Updates
- Bayview & John Visioning
April 27 public meeting was disappointing. Read more in the Area Future section - March 30 AWRA Annual General Meeting Presentation Slides are available
- Development updates
East Langstaff Gateway (Approved)
2300 John St (OLT approval is next)