Markham Receives Prestigious Heritage Award from Lieutenant Governor

MARKHAM, ON ~ Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Markham Council members recognized community leaders, residents and staff at the February 24 Council meeting for their contributions to Markham’s heritage conservation. On February 20, the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti with the Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership at a Queen’s Park awards ceremony.

The award recognizes communities for exemplary leadership in heritage conservation and promotion. Markham was one of four communities to receive this new award, earning top place in the “population over 125,000” category.

With over 200 years of recorded history, Markham is one of the oldest communities in Ontario. Markham’s earliest roots stem from German settlers led by Willam ‘Moll’ Bercy in 1794. In 2008, Markham welcomed a delegation of dignitaries from Nördlingen, Germany, its partner city, to celebrate this heritage.

Despite intense development and rapid growth, Markham has worked to preserve much of its cultural and natural heritage for future generations, including offering financial assistance programs to help owners with heritage conservation efforts. With more than 250 designated heritage properties, three heritage districts, intense community involvement and numerous other accomplishments, Markham is recognized as a leader in heritage conservation. Markham also operates a 25-acre Markham Museum and Village and the Markham Archives to help the community understand local history.

“This is a great accomplishment for Markham and a testament to the commitment and hard work of our community, Council and Town staff to preserve and enhance our heritage. I’m very proud that Markham is being honoured with this prestigious award. It exemplifies our motto ‘Leading While Remembering’,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

Markham is also strongly committed to protecting its natural resources. The environment is one of the community’s six strategic priorities that will help guide the development of its community sustainability plan. This includes Markham’s Trees for Tomorrow campaign – a commitment to plant 75,000 trees over four years.

“Thank you to our many community groups, residents, Markham Council and staff. This award reflects their efforts, and the contributions of previous generations in creating the dynamic community we are today,” said Mayor Scarpitti. “Markham is a progressive, international community that celebrates its diversity and vibrancy as much as the rich heritage that serves as its foundation.”