The Town of East Gwillimbury (EG) maintains over 40 beautiful parks and open spaces for you to enjoy! Navigate through EG's parks using our Parks map.

Share your thoughts on EG's Draft
Tree Protection By-law

The Town has developed a draft Tree Protection By-law for private properties to protect mature trees in EG. The goal of the by-law is to protect the Town’s existing tree canopy while also preserving Natural heritage areas throughout the community. The new draft by-law will address the removal of trees that have a trunk size of 20cm or greater.  

What is the purpose of the by-law?

The Town recognizes that trees provide various important environmental, social, health and economic benefits. The draft by-law intends to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the tree canopy cover and maintaining flexibility for landowners to responsibly manage their trees through a variety of mechanisms including exemptions, exemption permits and standard permits.

Will the draft Tree Protection By-law apply to my home/property?
Property Size and Tree DescriptionProperty LocationEG Draft Tree Protection By-lawYork Region Forest Conservation By-law
Less than 0.5 acres Within regular Town area  Exempt  Exempt

Equal or greater than 0.5 acres 

  • Contains tress with trunks measuring 20 cm or greater, outside of a woodlot/woodland
 Within regular Town area Permit required  Exempt

Equal or greater than 0.5 acres 

  • Contains 150 trees with trunks measuring over 5 cm 
  • Contains trees with trunks 20 cm or greater, outside of a woodlot/woodland
 Within and/or outside of York Region woodlot/woodland Permit required Permit required  

Map of draft Tree By-law boundaries 

Are there exemptions to the draft Tree Protection By-law?

The Draft By-law supports residents’ maintaining their property with maintenance-related exemptions from the Draft By-law including:

  • Dead, Dying or Diseased Trees
  • Hazard Trees
  • Invasive species trees as identified in Schedule A of this By-law. Town staff will assist property owners with identifying endangered species.
  • Any tree with a diameter of less than 20cm DBH (Diameter at Breast Height).
  • Is required as a result of Emergency Work, as defined in this By-law.
  • Is required under an Order under any Property Standards By-law of the Town.
  • Requires the Pruning, Maintenance or removal of branches or limbs, where the branches or limbs interfere with existing utility conductors, buildings or structures, provided such activities shall be carried out in accordance with Good Arboricultural Practice.
Existing tree rules that property owners should be aware of 

Provincial Legislation

  • Endangered Species Act - Protection of endangered species (Butternut)
  • Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) Policy – Protection of lands within the ORM
  • Greenbelt Act, 2005 and the Greenbelt Plan, 2017

York Region By-law

  • Forest Conservation By-law No. 2013-68

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

  • Disturbance within Regulation Limit requires a permit
  • Submission of documents required for a permit:
    • Natural Heritage Studies, Environmental Assessment, Trail Impact Studies, Edge Management Plans, Arborist Reports and compensation planting plans
  • Ecological Offsetting – Includes planting and monetary compensation 

Open Houses

Members of the community were invited to attend public open houses to review the draft by-law, ask questions, and provide feedback to the project team. Open houses were held on:

  • Holland Landing Community Centre, January 24, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Mount Albert Community Centre, February 8, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Civic Centre,  February 28, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m.

These open houses were communicated using the Town's various channels and mediums including social media, weekly eNewsletter, road signs, and more.

For more information on this project, please read the Tree Preservation Update and Draft Tree Protection By-law Council Report and draft tree protection by-law appendix.

A summary of the Draft Tree Protection By-law, exemptions, and next steps are also included in the presentation slides. 

View the Public Meeting presentation slides 

Residents may also share their feedback by emailing the project team. 

New Disc Golf Course         

A disc golf beginner course (link to course map) is available at Sharon Hills Park, 191 Colonel Wayling Boulevard.

Disc golf is a fast-growing recreational activity and sport, that combines frisbee and golf all in one activity. Disc golf offers year-round recreational opportunities and is a great way everyone to get outside and be active.

The object of disc golf is to have fun and complete the course in the fewest throws. To play, start by throwing a disc from the tee towards the basket. The player whose disc lands furthest away from the basket throws again first, from where the disc landed.  Like  golf, players will follow a course, record the score for each hole played. The player who completes the course using the fewest throws is the winner.

Before you play, please remember:

  • Safety and courtesy are important.
  • Be careful of other park users.
  • Throw only when the fairway and landing area are clear.

Find the right park for you

You can find what amenities are available in each park by browsing through our three Wards below.

Holland Landing Community Skate Park
Ward 1

Communities within Ward 1 include Harvest Hills, Holland Landing and River Drive Park

View Ward 1 Parks
Walter Tunny Park
Ward 2

Communities within Ward 2 include Queensville and Sharon

View Ward 2 Parks
Ross Family Complex Park
Ward 3

Communities within Ward 3 include Mount Albert and Brown Hill

View Ward 3 Parks

Splash pads

Splash Pad at Murrell ParkTown Splash pads are now closed for the season.

Splash pads open annually on June 1st. Hours of Operation are from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. View a list of our splash pads below:

Respect the environment

EG's parks and trails are a great place to enjoy the outdoors. It is important to have as little impact on the natural environment as possible. Please avoid walking or biking through natural areas. When disposing of any items, please use the waste and recycling bins provided.

See a problem or spot graffiti?

EG's parks provide a healthy and safe environment for residents to enjoy. Let's work together to keep EG's parks, trails, and facilities clean and beautiful!

Visit our Community Parks Watch page for more information.