20 YEAR LEGACY IMPACT REPORT

Mill Pond Splash | 20 Year Legacy Impact Report

In its 20-year history, Mill Pond Splash has provided opportunities for Richmond Hill residents to connect with their local environment, learn about nature, and understand the importance of protecting the Don River.

Due to funding considerations, we are not able to move forward with this year’s event. We are proud of Mill Pond Splash’s legacy of showcasing environmental conservation and celebrating our rich natural heritage.

We would especially like to thank all of our amazing partners that helped make this event possible. For an overview of the successes and long-term impacts of this event, please reference our Mill Pond Splash impact report below.

EVENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Raise the pro�le of the Don River in Richmond Hill

Although the Town of Richmond Hill is located in the headwaters of the Don, the river tends to be more closely associated with the City of Toronto. Mill Pond Splash sought to elevate the Don’s pro�le in Richmond Hill and introduce the waterway to local communities.

Engage participants with their surrounding natural environment

Participant engagement was achieved through a wide variety of hands-on educational activities and performances featuring local artists, native wildlife and musicians.

Galvanize the local environmental community

Over the past 20 years, the event has helped cultivate relationships with local community members and envi-ronmental organizations in Richmond Hill, including:

• Richmond Hill Lions Club

• Richmond Hill Naturalists

• Richmond Hill Group of Artists

• 8 Globemaster Air Cadet Squadron

• Evergreen

• TD Friends of the Environment

• York Region Health

• York Region and Richmond Hill Environmental Services

• Local high schools

“We would all like to say thank you for allowing us to participate in this wonderful event. Everyone not only enjoyed themselves but we all learned something about our environment as well. Thanks again and hopefully we can collaborate with you again next year.”

– Volunteer

Mill Pond Splash | 20 Year Legacy Impact Report

MILL POND SPLASH HIGHLIGHTS

Over the past two decades, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) worked with dozens of new vendors, exhibitors, and performers who have taken part in Mill Pond Splash. TRCA is grateful for these community connections and the opportunity to strengthen relationships within the environmental sector of Richmond Hill.

Since 2016, the Kids’ Run for Nature has been part of Mill Pond Splash. Hosted by WWF-Canada, this non-competitive fun run helps raise funds for WWF’s conservation e�orts to save endangered species in Canada. Each year about 100 children participated in the run at Mill Pond Splash.

Hands-on and interactive activities have always been central to Mill Pond Splash. Past activities have included having participants make seed balls to grow wild�owers, painting pollinator nests and playing “Taps and Drains” to learn fun water facts. Participants were also given eco passports and earned stamps by demonstrating knowledge at exhibitor booths.

Each year, participants were given the opportunity to observe and learn about local species, including snap-ping turtles, monarch butter�ies, snakes, raptors and even young bobcats and wolves.

POPULARITY OF MILL POND SPLASH OVER THE YEARS

2008 2010 2014 2018

By the 10th anniversary, it’s estimated that 750 people attend Mill Pond Splash each year.

Over the next four years, attendance reaches approximately 3000 people.

Mill Pond Splash celebrates 20 years, with an estimated 26,000 people having attended the event since its �rst year in 1998.

Over 1000 people attend, with that number steadily increasing in the coming years.

Mill Pond Splash | 20 Year Legacy Impact Report

ACTIVITIES

Activities at Mill Pond Splash have included:

• Building habitat structures, such as bird boxes and solitary bee nests

• Electro�shing demonstrations

• Planting wild�owers, milkweed and shrubs

• Planting trees

• Invasive species pulls (speci�cally garlic mustard)

• Horse-drawn carriage rides

• Nature walks

• Face painting

• Games for the whole family

• Eco-themed crafts

• Live music performances from local bands and high school students

CONCLUSION

TRCA recognizes the important community connections and long-term educational impact made possible by this festival in the Richmond Hill area of the Don River watershed.

Mill Pond Splash could not have been possible without the e�orts of several organizations: the Town of Richmond Hill, the Don Watershed Regeneration Council, Richmond Hill Naturalists, WWF-Canada, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation.

“The music and dancing got [my grandchildren] excited and admiring for a while. They were also thrilled by the horse wagon ride too—it was a surprise treat for them! The geese, the animal show, the food and the pond itself were all part of a very nice experience for them. Thanks again!”

– Mill Pond Splash attendee