• Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
• Dedicating "Arkells' Alley"
• Congratulations to the 2025 Hamilton Arts Awards Recipients 
• Barton Street West Northside Sidewalk Completion 
• Chedoke Creek Watershed Environmental Assessment Surveys
• Seasonal Outdoor Pool Opening
• LRT Virtual Open House 
• See it? Report it! Graffiti Campaign 
• Hamilton Public Library Impact Survey
• Hamilton Immigrant Survey
• Try SoBi's Adaptive Bikes 
• Summer HSR Schedule Changes
• ARTSFEST in Westdale Village
• Open Streets 2025
• Ward 1 Farmers Markets
• Events

Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day 

On Saturday, June 21, we recognise and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Turtle Island, as we come together to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. This celebration is part of National Indigenous History Month, a time for all Canadians to reflect on and learn about the rich heritage and strengths of Indigenous peoples. 

Hamiltonians are invited to a celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the new James Street Plaza, located at 3 Guise St E. Pack a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy performances from Community Drummers, Joe Martin Smoke Dancers, Nikki Shawana Hoop Dancers, and singer/songwriter Lacey Hill. A selection of Indigenous vendors will also be on-site. 

Residents are also invited to the Soaring Spirit Pow Wow Festival at Battlefield Park, 77 King Street West, Stoney Creek, on June 20-22, 2025. This multi-day event features education, ceremonies, live entertainment, and the Native Arts, Crafts, Trade, and Food Show. There will be sunrise ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, drumming, dancing, music, and art. Full details on their Facebook event page

Dedicating "Arkells Alley"

You don't need a leather jacket or to make a wish at 11:11 to celebrate our very own Arkells, the hometown champions who have been rocking out and serving as some of Hamilton's biggest advocates for 20 years - and then some! From their catchy stadium bops to their community-focused "Rally in the Alley" - a yearly concert that supports local organisations in our community - the Arkells have been relentless in their support of Hamilton. These talented musicians lead by example and show what it means to be the people's champ!

The Arkells got their start right here in Ward 1 and take their name from the street on which they lived while attending McMaster. To celebrate the band and their contributions to our city, the section of Arkell Street between Newton Street and Paisley Avenue South was officially designated "Arkells Alley" today. In their thanks, they reminded all of us to be kind to our neighbours, slow down, make room for cyclists, and have a party or two with friends (while being mindful of the city's noise bylaw!)

Congratulations to the Arkells, a band that never fails to say to Hamilton: my heart's always yours.

Barton Street West Northside Sidewalk Completion 

A major “missing link” in our community has been completed. The sidewalk connection on the northern section of Barton St W between Crooks St and Queen St N was recently installed. This connection links a large residential population to controlled crossings, thereby providing safer experiences for all users, pedestrians and drivers.

Barton St W is a vital connection to the West Harbour GO Station, the waterfront, Dundurn Castle, Locke St, and nearby James St N.  

Help shape the future of Chedoke Creek: Hamilton invites residents to share their feedback

Shape the future of Chedoke Creek and its surrounding watershed through two Municipal Class Environmental Assessments (MCEAs) now underway. Residents' voices are essential to ensure that community values, local knowledge and public priorities are reflected in the final plans.

1. Lower Chedoke Creek Enhancement MCEA – Focuses on improving water quality and naturalising the creek between Highway 403 and Cootes Paradise.
   
   
2. Chedoke Creek Watershed Stormwater Retrofits MCEA – Focuses on enhancing stormwater management and water quality in neighbourhoods in the Upper and Mid Chedoke Creek watershed. Potential

These studies are part of the City’s continued response to the combined sewage spill discovered in 2018. They are being carried out under a Ministerial Order from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

Congratulations to the 2025 Hamilton Arts Awards Recipients 

The 2025 Hamilton Arts Awards took place on June 12. Hamiltonians gathered at the Westinghouse HQ on Stanford Avenue for an evening of celebration and recognition for some of Hamilton’s brightest stars in the arts. Congratulations to the 13 recipients of the Creator and Arts Champion Awards. 

And a big congratulations to Strathcona’s own John Terpstra for winning the Lifetime Achievement Award. Poet, author, and woodworker, John has been a community leader and advocate for all things Hamilton for decades. Congratulations again to John! 

Seasonal Outdoor Pool Opening

The City of Hamilton’s outdoor pools will be opening for the season on Friday, June 27, 2025. Public programming will begin next Friday and continue until September 1, 2025. 

Ward 1 offers two outdoor pools for your use: the Coronation Outdoor Pool, located at 81 Macklin St N in Westdale, and the Victoria Park Outdoor Pool, situated at 100 Strathcona Ave N in Strathcona. Schedules and programming times for those pools and others across the city are available on the City's outdoor pool page.

LRT Virtual Open House 

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Metrolinx Hamilton LRT Community Engagement Team will host a virtual open house. 

Representatives from Metrolinx, the provincial agency responsible for the LRT project, will provide the latest updates on their progress and will answer questions from community members. Community members are asked to submit their questions in advance on Slido. Representatives from the HSR will also be on hand to discuss the new transit plan and its integration with the LRT. 

Registration is required. To sign up, please visit the Metrolinx events page. If you encounter any issues with registration, feel free to contact the Metrolinx Hamilton CE team at [email protected] or call 905-521-1003. For those who are unable to participate in the event, Metrolinx will post the recording and presentation on its website afterwards.  

See it? Report it! Graffiti Campaign 

The City of Hamilton has launched a new awareness campaign aimed at combating illegal graffiti as part of its ongoing commitment to community safety and well-being. The campaign supports the City’s broader downtown revitalisation goals and aligns with the Clean & Green Strategy. 

One of the most effective ways to prevent graffiti is to remove it promptly. That’s why the City of Hamilton has launched the “See it? Report it!” campaign. Graffiti is the most common form of property vandalism in Hamilton, representing 35% of all vandalism reports. Cleaning up graffiti is costly to residents, diverting funds that could otherwise be used for parks, roads, and community improvements on unnecessary clean-up efforts. 

If you see existing graffiti, report it to the City by: 

• Emailing the City at - [email protected] 
• Calling the City at - 905-546-CITY (2489) 

If you see someone vandalising property with graffiti, do not approach them. Report the crime in progress by calling 9-1-1. If you want to make an anonymous tip about someone engaged in creating graffiti, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

Hamilton Public Library Impact Survey

The Hamilton Public Library (HPL), in partnership with the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, is launching a social impact survey.  

Have your say by completing a short online survey on the HPL’s website before Wednesday, July 2, 2025. 

Whether you are an HPL member or an occasional user, your opinions are valuable. Your anonymous feedback will help improve HPL services and build a better understanding of how we can support Hamilton and the surrounding communities.

Hamilton Immigrant Survey 

The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) has launched a survey to gain a deeper understanding of the stories of Hamilton’s diverse immigrant communities. This important initiative invites immigrants, refugees, claimants, international students, and temporary foreign workers living in Hamilton to share their experiences. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and contributions of immigrants in our city, and to inform the development of policies and services. 

The survey is anonymous, voluntary, and takes just 10 to 15 minutes to complete. It’s available in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, French, Persian and Spanish. 

The survey can be completed online through a secure portal or, if residents prefer, by submitting a paper copy provided by HIPC’s program officer, Mohammad Araf, at [email protected] or 905-546-2424 ext. 4359. 

Try SoBi's Adaptive Bikes 

Hamilton Bike Share (SoBi) is pleased to kick off the 4th season of its Adaptive Bike Program. The Adaptive Bike Program is part of SoBi’s Everyone Rides Initiative, aiming to alleviate barriers to bike access. Bike Share offers free 1-hour rentals on a fleet of adaptive bikes in Gage Park and Bayfront Park by appointment, including upright and recumbent trikes, handcycles, passenger cargo trikes, a side-by-side tandem trike, low-step-through 2-wheelers, and e-assist options. Each of these is designed to meet a wide range of mobility needs. During appointments, SoBi’s Adaptive Bike Coordinator will be present to get you set up for your scenic ride along paved pathways. 

The Adaptive Bike Program is available Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Bayfront Park parking lot and from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Adaptive Bike Hub in Gage Park near the Rosedale Tennis Club. 

Learn more about Adaptive Bikes at Bike Share or schedule an appointment to try one out for yourself. 

Summer HSR Schedule Changes

The HSR's summer service runs from June 22 to August 30, 2025. Schedules will be adjusted to meet summer demand, and seasonal routes will start to help Hamiltonians get to the attractions and amenities they love. This includes the 9 - Rock Gardens, the 56 - Centennial to Wild Waterworks, and the free 99 - Waterfront shuttle.

For a complete list of service changes, please see the HSR's website.

Westdale Village BIA ARTSFEST

Join us for ArtsFEST June 20-22. A celebration of art, music, and vintage in the heart of Westdale, (King St W & Marian Ave)

Friday 5:00-9:00 PM | Saturday 1:00 PM-9:00 PM | Sunday 2:00-9:00 PM

Thank you for supporting local Canadian artists and small businesses.

Open Streets 2025

Get ready for the 2025 edition of Open Streets Hamilton. Join your friends and neighbours on Sunday, June 22, 2025, along the iconic King Street route, from John Street to Gage Avenue, where you can walk, cycle, roll and play along King Street East. This year, the hours of Open Streets have been extended to 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, giving you even more time to enjoy the route and all the activities and entertainment.

Open Streets Hamilton promotes physical activity, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. By opening our streets to people of all ages and abilities, Open Streets creates opportunities for healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and a more vibrant city for everyone to enjoy.

Ward 1 Farmers Markets

Good things grow in Ontario! Ward 1's delicious and local farmers' markets have returned for the season. Stop by and pick up some local produce, chat with your neighbours, and meet the people behind your food. This year, Ward 1 has two weekly farmers' markets to choose from:

• The Locke Street Farmers Market - 260 Locke Street South (in the Locke Street Tire and Automotive Parking Lot) - every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• The Westdale Village Farmers Market - King Street West @ Marion Avenue - Every Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Events - Ward 1

Sundays UnLocked

• July 20, 2025 & September 21, 2025 & October 19, 2025 
• Location: Locke Street South, between Hunter Street and Herkimer Street
• Come enjoy the sights, sounds, and shops of Locke Street South during this summer’s Sundays UNLocked Open Street. From 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month, Locke Street South will be pedestrian-only as Locke’s merchants and community partners take over the street for a friendly and fun festival. 

The 12th Annual Something Else! Festival

• Thursday, June 19 to Sunday, June 22, 2025
• Location: St. Cuthbert's Church - 2 Bond Street North, The HPL's Central Branch - 55 York Boulevard, and at Open Streets Hamilton - 399 King Street East
• Join Zula Presents for a festival of jazz, folk, and avant-garde new music. Ticketed events are at St. Cuthbert's, free events are at the HPL's Central Branch and at Open Streets. More information is available at the Something Else! Festival website.

Cemetery Chronicles – The Cholera and Industrial Heritage Cemetery Tour 

• Sunday, June 22, 2025, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM  
• Location: Hamilton Municipal Cemetery Gates, 777 York Boulevard 
• Join the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology and Cemetery Chronicles for an exciting free tour! Industry and innovation flourished in Hamilton during the 19th century, thanks to a few key figures who introduced exciting new technologies. This tour explores Hamilton’s journey from a city ravaged by cholera to a site of impressive technological advancement dubbed “The Electric City”.  Delve into the unique history of technology in Hamilton and the lives of the people who changed the city forever. City of Hamilton’s website.

80 Years on: Learning from Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• Saturday, July 5, 2025, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Location: The Westdale Theatre, 1014 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1L4
• Join the Hamilton chapter of the Japanese New Immigrants Committee for an evening celebrating the sister city relationship between Hamilton and Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan and marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The evening includes a screening of the documentary "The Vow from Hiroshima", a conversation with Setsuko Thurlow, O.O.C., and Karen Goodfellow, a Yosakoi dance, and Taiko drumming. This is a free event. Registration required; space is limited. 

Events - Explore Your City

Children's Garden Party 2025

• Saturday, June 21, 2025, 10:00 AM  to 2:00 PM
• Location: Gage Park, 1000 Main St E, Hamilton
• Calling All Little Planters, Families and Garden Enthusiasts! Are you ready for the ultimate garden extravaganza? Join us for a day bursting with fun and excitement at our 4th annual Children's Garden Party Day! Free, but tickets are required. Hosted by the Children's Garden Project.

FrancoFest 2025

• Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22, 2025
• Location: Gage Park
• Joignez-vous au Centre Francophone pour une célébration de la communauté francophone de Hamilton! FrancoFest is a three-day celebration of the music, culture, and vibrancy of Francophones in Hamilton. See the FrancoFest website for more information. 

Village Pride

• Sunday, June 22, 2025, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Location: Ferguson Station, 244 King St W, Hamilton
• Village Pride is back for Open Streets Hamilton! A Pride celebration in the heart of downtown for Open Streets Hamilton. The International Village BIA is joining forces with House of Adam and Steve in partnership with the City of Hamilton to make this a Pride party to remember!

Salsa at the Station

• June 26, July 10, August 7 & 21
• Location: Ferguson Station, 244 King St W, Hamilton
• Summer of Salsa Beginner Latin dance lesson: 6:00-6:45 PM, Mini Latin dance social: 6:45-8:00 PM

Park Crawl

• July 11, August 8, September 13-14
• Location John Rebecca Park 4:00-6:00 PM & Gore Park (5;00-11:00 PM)
• Park Crawl will activate both Gore Park and John Rebecca Park simultaneously on select summer days, providing attendees with plenty of free and exciting family-friendly entertainment. The event will take place in both parks on June 13, July 11, August 8 and September 13 + 14.

Greener Ward 1

Let's do our part in Ward 1 to create healthy, biodiverse neighbourhoods for all living things! Check out Greener Ward 1!

Ward 1 Infrastructure Updates

For up-to-date information on all the infrastructure projects happening in Ward 1, check out our Ward 1 Infrastructure Projects webpage.

Ward 1 Development Information

Here you can find general information on developments and their status in the planning process.

Follow along for timely Ward 1 Updates via:   

• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 905-546-2416
• On social media: