Markham's Gateway Master Plan

The City of Markham is undertaking a Gateway Master Plan Study. From this Study, we will identify the gateways that are important to our residents. We will look at concepts for how to make these gateways attractive entry points into Markham, or to Markham’s special places. The Study will also serve to direct future gateway development projects ensuring the:

• establishment of a cohesive design theme or palette for all its gateways;
• development of a distinctive and welcoming presence when arriving in Markham; and
• continued attraction of economic development to our City.

Some gateway points in Markham are located at:

• Urban and Rural entrances to the City
• The Rouge National Park
• Existing hamlets or historical communities, like Unionville or Thornhill
• Character neighbourhoods like Cathedral Town or Cornell North Centre

Markham also has subdivision entrance features that identify the name of the subdivision or developer, installed by the original builder. Some of these features are falling into disrepair. As they are often built on City owned right-of-ways, the City is in the process of assessing their condition.

While the City is developing the Gateway Master Plan, it is also looking at our subdivision entrance features, asking what their role is in enhancing the public realm of Markham, and how the City might manage these assets.

Gateway features announce arrival into our City, subdivision entrance features are located at the entrance-ways to a specific subdivisions. City gateways create a sense of identity for our community, sometimes highlighting special areas and help to develop an overall sense of place. Subdivision entrance features are smaller in size and importance, can be used as way-finding markers, and reflect a developer’s vision.

To help us in the development of our Gateway Master Plan, we are asking you, our residents:

• What do you think of these subdivision entrance features?
• Should the City continue to have subdivision entrance features?
• If we do, what should they look like?
• How should the City of Markham manage them and maintain them?

We encourage you to browse our site, learn more about this project, and participate in our activities. Please fill out the survey; place a pin on the map of Gateway Places; give us some Ideas of what gateways could look like; Ask a question – we want to hear from you!