My Plan To Make Vaughan Beautiful Again

For me, community pride has always been personal.

Before entering politics, I spent 27 years serving children, youth, seniors and families through community organizations. Throughout my public life, I have helped create and support initiatives such as MapleFest, the Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative (SAVI), volunteer recognition programs and numerous community-building initiatives that strengthen civic pride and bring people together.

A great city is more than roads and buildings.

It is the pride people feel when they walk through a beautiful park, visit a vibrant main street, attend a community festival or welcome visitors to their neighbourhood.

As Vaughan continues to grow, we must not lose sight of the things that make our city special.

I have done this before. Over the past term of Council, I did not just talk about community pride. Throughout my career, I have supported community-building initiatives, volunteer programs, festivals and public spaces that bring residents together and strengthen neighbourhood identity. Over the past 4 years, I helped support major improvements to Woodbridge Avenue and Kleinburg Village, expanded tree planting and urban-forest protection, advanced long-term planning for Vaughan’s parks and greenspaces, and supported resident-led cleanups and environmental stewardship. Now I want to build on that progress with measurable beautification projects in every ward, renewed main streets, cleaner public spaces and a city-wide effort to make Vaughan beautiful again

We need to make Vaughan beautiful again.

What Has Been Achieved Over the Last Four Years

• Completed the Woodbridge Avenue Improvements and Streetscaping Project, delivering road and bridge improvements, new streetlighting, parking lay-bys, landscaping and other public-realm enhancements along Woodbridge Avenue between Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue. Woodbridge Avenue improvements completed vaughan.ca
• Advanced the Kleinburg Village Improvements Project, including underground infrastructure, roadway and sidewalk improvements, new cycle facilities, lighting, landscaping and streetscape enhancements. The project entered its final stage in March 2026. Kleinburg Village improvements enter final phase vaughan.ca, vaughan.ca
• Secured nearly $2 million to plant more than 2,900 native trees and 2,700 seedlings across Vaughan, supporting the City’s goal of increasing tree-canopy coverage from 20 per cent to 25 per cent by 2051. Planting more trees in Vaughan vaughan.ca
• Expanded Vaughan’s urban forest through community planting projects, including 200 trees planted at North Maple Regional Park in 2024 and 105 trees planted at Doctors McLean District Park in 2025. Growing Vaughan’s urban forest in 2024 and Community tree planting in 2025 vaughan.ca, vaughan.ca
• Earned international recognition as a Tree City of the World, recognizing Vaughan’s commitment to maintaining, managing and celebrating its urban forest. Vaughan recognized as a Tree City of the World vaughan.ca
• Advanced Vaughan’s Greenspace Strategic Plan, undertaking long-term planning for parks, trails, forests, valleys, wetlands and other open spaces with input from residents and community stakeholders. Planning the future of Vaughan’s parks, trails and forests vaughan.ca
• Expanded resident-led environmental stewardship through Vaughan’s Green Guardians programs, supporting community cleanups, Adopt-a-Park participation, tree planting, pollinator gardens and neighbourhood environmental initiatives. Become a Green Guardian vaughan.ca
• Continued recognizing residents who strengthen Vaughan’s neighbourhoods and quality of life, including honouring 68 community volunteers through the 2026 Volunteer Recognition Awards. Celebrating Vaughan’s outstanding volunteers vaughan.ca

My 5-Point Beautification & Community Pride Plan

The Next Four Years

1Launch Vaughan's Neighbourhood Beautification Program

Too many residents believe the appearance of our neighbourhoods has declined as Vaughan has grown. The appearance of our neighbourhoods directly impacts quality of life.

Vaughan was once recognized as one of the most beautiful communities in Canada. As our city has grown, we must renew our commitment to civic pride, beautification and excellence.

I will launch a city-wide Vaughan Beautification Program focused on:

• Cleaner streets and public spaces;
• Enhanced landscaping and seasonal plantings;
• Public art initiatives;
• Community clean-up partnerships;
• Improved gateway features at major entrances to Vaughan;
• Neighbourhood revitalization projects;
• Graffiti removal and public space maintenance; and,
• Beautification of major corridors, commercial districts and community gathering places.

I will establish a city-wide Clean and Beautiful Vaughan Standard that includes:

• Graffiti removal on municipal property within 72 hours;
• Annual beautification projects in every ward;
• Enhanced landscaping on major roads and gateways;
• Improved maintenance standards for parks and public spaces;
• Increased tree replacement and streetscape improvements; and,
• Annual public reporting on beautification performance.

Residents should be able to see measurable improvements in their neighbourhood every year.

Goal Create cleaner, more attractive neighbourhoods in every corner of Vaughan.

2Bring Vaughan Back to Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom remains one of Canada's premier programs recognizing excellence in beautification, urban forestry, environmental stewardship and community pride. communitiesinbloom.ca, cibontario.ca

I will:

• Re-enter Vaughan into the Communities in Bloom program;
• Establish a Vaughan Community Pride Task Force;
• Mobilize residents, businesses, schools and community organizations; and
• Pursue provincial, national and international recognition for Vaughan.

Goal Restore Vaughan's reputation as one of the most beautiful communities in Canada and ultimately one of the most beautiful communities in the world.

3Revitalize Vaughan's Main Streets and Community Hubs

I will launch revitalization plans for:

• Woodbridge;
• Kleinburg;
• Maple;
• Thornhill;
• Concord; and,
• Public spaces within Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

This initiative will include:

• Streetscape improvements;
• Decorative lighting;
• Enhanced landscaping;
• Public art installations;
• Improved pedestrian spaces; and,
• New gathering places for residents and visitors.

Goal Create vibrant and beautiful community destinations that support local businesses and strengthen neighbourhood identity.

4Enhance Parks, Trails, and Public Spaces

Parks are where communities come together.

I will continue investing in:

• Park revitalization projects;
• Modern playground equipment;
• Expanded trail connections;
• New benches, seating areas and shade structures;
• Community gardens; and
• Improved maintenance standards across all municipal parks.

Every resident should have access to clean, safe and welcoming public spaces close to home.

Goal Ensure Vaughan's parks and trails remain among the best in the GTA.

5Celebrate Community Pride and Volunteerism

Strong communities are built by engaged residents.

I will expand support for:

• Community and religious festivals;
• Volunteer recognition programs;
• Community clean-up events;
• Neighbourhood beautification projects;
• Cultural celebrations; and,
• Resident-led community initiatives.

Throughout my career, I have believed that building strong communities begins with supporting the people who make them stronger every day. marioferri.ca, vaughan.ca

Goal Strengthen civic pride, volunteerism and community spirit across Vaughan.

My Commitment

Throughout my life, I have worked to build strong communities, support volunteerism and improve the quality of life enjoyed by residents.

Over the next four years, I will focus on beautifying our streets, revitalizing our neighbourhoods, enhancing our parks and restoring Vaughan's reputation as one of the most desirable and attractive communities anywhere.

Together, we will make Vaughan cleaner, greener, more vibrant and more beautiful.