April 2023

Vol. 1, Edition 2

The Monthly Update

Welcome to The Monthly Update.

The monthly e-newsletter is a great way to stay informed about council decisions, programs, services, and other types of information relevant to the Town of Gravenhurst.

Click the button below and sign up to receive future editions in your e-mail inbox.

Message from the Mayor

Welcome to our April edition of The Monthly Update.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed.

We have a variety of news to pass along.

For example, we are now accepting Gravenhurst High School Bursary applications. The lucky recipient will receive $2,000 towards their post-secondary education. The deadline to apply is May 31.

The newsletter also has details about our ‘No Mow May’ campaign, which kicks off May 1. We are asking residents to hold off mowing their lawns for the month. The intent is to allow grass and wildflowers a chance to grow, supplying pollinators a good source of nutrition.

In addition, the newsletter includes information about our annual sidewalk and street sweeping program. It’s a big job every year and we are happy to report the work is now under way.

Recently, we updated our Open-Air Burning Bylaw, and we have details about what that means in the newsletter. Please take a moment to review.

As well, the newsletter includes a link to our Council Highlights package, a good way to stay up to date on what happened at our latest meeting.

You’ll also find news about the upcoming 39^th annual Mayor’s Rockin’ Tea on May 24 at the Gravenhurst Opera House. This is always a fun event and I hope to see you there!

Other items in the newsletter include information about council’s recent roads tour, our firefighter recruitment drive, and the results of our ‘Name the Moose’ contest.

Lastly, we are now hiring summer students. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people. See the newsletter for details.

Take care and I look forward to sharing more next month.

Heidi Lorenz

Mayor.

Gravenhurst High School Bursary: Apply Now

The town is now accepting applications for its annual Gravenhurst High School Bursary.

Gravenhurst observing 'No Mow May'

The Town of Gravenhurst is asking residents to hold off mowing their lawns in May.

The request is part of the 'No Mow May' initiative, which takes place in various communities across Ontario and elsewhere.

The intent of the month-long campaign is to allow grass and wildflowers a chance to flourish, providing bees and other pollinators a good source of nutrition.

Spring sidewalk and street sweeping program starts in Gravenhurst

The Town of Gravenhurst is starting its annual spring sidewalk and street sweeping program.

Changes to our open-air burning bylaw

We recently updated our open-air burning bylaw. Two important changes to note:

1. Fireworks are not permitted when a burn ban is in place.
2. Sky lanterns are not permitted at any time.

Drum roll, please!

Skokie's friend the moose is named: Mooskokie!

Thank you to everyone for participating in this fun contest. What a great way to celebrate the 136th anniversary of the Town of Gravenhurst.

Our winner has been contacted and will receive $100 in Gravenhurst Dollars.

On April 24, council members participated in a roads tour of the municipality. The tour involved stops at a variety of sites, including Muskoka Beach Park. The tour served an educational purpose, allowing council members to review completed infrastructure projects, as well as projects in various stages of planning.

Gravenhurst Council Highlights - April 18, 2023

Learn what happened at the latest meeting.

Planning Council - April 25, 2023

Planning Council met April 25 at the municipal office.

Click the above image to watch the meeting and learn what happened.

Grant funding will aim to boost workforce development across Muskoka

The District of Muskoka is taking proactive steps to address challenges and barriers in the changing workforce.

The collaborative development of a regional workforce plan is underway to focus on attracting, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce in the region.

On Saturday, April 15, Mayor Heidi Lorenz and members of council welcomed Burger Boys to Downtown Gravenhurst. Burger Boys has great food and good prices.

Mayor's Rockin' Tea

The annual Mayor's Tea returns with a rockin' twist.

Join Mayor Heidi Lorenz at the Gravenhurst Opera House on May 24 for tea and refreshments.

Entertainment by rocKING with Elvis: A tribute to the King.

Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Show at 1 p.m.

Reserve your space by contacting Nicole at 705-687-3412, ext. 2122 or e-mail [email protected].

Get growing in the garden!

Join your neighbours and plan an edible garden on the grounds at the Gravenhurst Centennial Centre.

Spring tree and shrub sale

We are now accepting orders for our annual spring tree and shrub sale.

Visit our website for price and order details.

Orders are due by May 4.

Shops on the Boardwalk - lease opportunity

Introducing The Shops on the Boardwalk.

This is a new lease opportunity for the 2023 season.

Test out a new market and expose your product or service to a diverse crowd at the Muskoka Wharf.

Want to set up shop at the train station?

The Town of Gravenhurst has another great commercial lease opportunity - we are looking for a permanent tenant for a commercial space in Unit 1 of Gravenhurst's Train Station.

Join the Gravenhurst Fire Department

Are you looking for a way to serve your community?

Are you a person who likes to learn and never stop learning?

Would you like to be part of an awesome team?

The Gravenhurst Fire Department is seeking applicants for paid-on-call firefighters. Please visit www.gravenhurst.ca/joinGFD for more information.

Is there a fire in you?

Things to do

Looking for something to do in Gravenhurst?

Make our website your first stop for information.

Visit our website for great ideas.

Recreation

We have a variety of recreation options available in Gravenhurst.

In some instances, these opportunities are offered through the town and in other cases they are provided by various organizations.

Visit our website to learn more.

Opera House

Stay in touch with the Gravenhurst Opera House.

Built in 1901, the opera house is a focal point for great entertainment.

Check out the opera house website to learn more about upcoming performances.

Visit the opera house website.

Gravenhurst Public Library

The Gravenhurst Public Library is a great spot to access reading material, movies, programs, entertainment, and so much more.

Located at 180 Sharpe St. W., the library is open Monday to Saturday.

For hours and more information, visit the library website.

Planning and building

Looking for planning and building information?

We are here to help.

Visit our website to learn about the town's official plan, zoning bylaw, building permits, and much more.

Visit our website.

Gravenhurst Fire Department

The Gravenhurst Fire Department provides fire protection services for the community.

Please call 9-1-1 if the department's assistance is required in an emergency.

Read a message from the chief.

Visit our website to learn more about the department.

Council contact

Members of council are your representatives.

They are elected to a four-year council term.

Visit our website to learn more about council members and how you can reach them.

Meeting agenda information

Want to stay informed about upcoming meetings of council and committees?

Visit our website to learn more.

You can also subscribe to receive notice when new agendas are available for review.

Subscribe to agendas.

Watch our meetings online

Did you know our council meetings are available on our YouTube channel?

By watching the meetings, you can hear council and staff discussion on a variety of topics and stay better informed about municipal business.

Visit our YouTube channel.

District of Muskoka

The District of Muskoka provides important services to our community.

Governing the district is a 23-member council.

To learn more about the district and what it does visit the district website. 

Ontario Provincial Police

Policing in Gravenhurst is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police.

If you require police assistance for an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

For non-emergency matters, call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Minor non-emergency matters can also be reported through the OPP website.

211 Ontario

211 Ontario is a free service that connects people to a variety of resources, including programs and services.

To reach 211 Ontario, simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone. 211 is also available by text and e-mail.

Learn more by visiting the 211 website.