Spring preparations well underway in Markham after a winter to remember!

MARKHAM, ON – April 13, 2026 - After one of the snowiest winters Markham has experienced in nearly 80 years, warmer weather has finally arrived. The City’s Operations teams have been working tirelessly to transition from an intense winter season into full-scale spring maintenance, ensuring Markham is ready for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the warmer months.

“This winter was extraordinary in so many ways, and our staff rose to the challenge,” says Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “From navigating historic snowfalls to immediately shifting into spring maintenance, our Operations employees continue to work year-round to keep Markham safe, clean, and beautiful. Their dedication and professionalism throughout all the seasons are truly unmatched.”

This year’s heavy snowfall and repeated freeze-thaw cycles created significant wear on sidewalks, roads, and streetlights. Markham continues to use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) software from Visual Defence Inc. to detect surface flaws, prioritize repairs, and maximize the efficiency of our road maintenance program. Software like this has allowed our crews to work as efficiently as possible, helping them identify and repair over 2,700 potholes annually, with over 1,100 completed so far this year. If residents see an area on the road that requires work, they’re encouraged to report it through the City’s Report A Problem service.

The spring and summer months allow us the opportunity to slow down and spend time outdoors. Markham is home to 336 beautiful community parks and 243 kilometres of recreational trails. Hours of hard work, dedication, and expertise go into developing, building, and maintaining these outdoor spaces. Staff from departments including Operations, Planning and Urban Design, Engineering, and many others all play a role in ensuring we Keep Markham Beautiful.

Reminders for residents

While out this spring and summer, we hope residents will continue to do their part to help keep our City clean for everyone to enjoy. You can find helpful community tips in our Good Neighbour Handbook. By working together, we can ensure our City spaces remain clean and enjoyable.

A few friendly reminders:

• Put household waste, recyclables, and organic waste (including pet waste) in the correct container. Learn more at markham.ca/WhatGoesWhere.
• Do not litter in City parks and open spaces, including disposing of household garbage in these areas

As they enjoy the long weekends and holidays this summer, residents are asked to please take note of when fireworks are allowed (and when permits are required). Fireworks are not allowed on City property, including parks, fields, and roads. Learn more at markham.ca/Fireworks.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:  
media@markham.ca. 

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 370,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy.

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