Valley Park Play Your Way Survey

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Help Us Improve Your Playground!

In Winter of 2025, the City is offering an online survey to the public as an opportunity to gain insight into the features that the community would like to have included in the replacement playground design. We want to hear from you! Take just a few minutes to fill out our survey and share your thoughts on what features and equipment you’d like to see in the new playground.

Your input is important in creating a fun, safe space for everyone to enjoy. Click here to take the survey.

Thank you for your feedback!

Auto Theft Prevention Tips

Posted on by lyndzeefreeman

Auto car insurance concept on a smartphone screen with a car in the background

Auto Theft Prevention: Tips to Protect Your Vehicle

Within the first three weeks of 2025, over 50 cars were stolen in Hamilton. While certain vehicles may be more attractive to thieves, no car is immune to theft. By taking a few precautions, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of your vehicle becoming a target.

  • Lock your car: Always lock your vehicle, even if you’re just stepping away for a moment. Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
  • Hide valuables: Thieves are often attracted to items left in plain sight. Don’t leave electronics, bags, or even loose change visible inside your car.
  • Park securely: Choose well-lit, busy areas or secure parking lots, and consider parking in a garage or behind a locked gate when possible.
  • Consider anti-theft devices: Steering wheel locks, tire locks, or an automatic engine shut-off can deter thieves and make it harder to drive off with your car.
  • Install an immobilizer: A vehicle immobilizer will prevent the engine from starting without the proper key or code.
  • Block signals: Store your car key fob in a Faraday bag or box to prevent relay attacks, where thieves amplify the signal to unlock and start your car remotely.
  • Use a GPS tracking system: Install a GPS tracking device to help track and recover your vehicle if stolen.

By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, you can greatly reduce the chances of your car being stolen.

If your vehicle is stolen, report it to Hamilton Police via the non-emergency line at 905-546-4925. Have the following vehicle information ready:

  • Make, model, year, and colour of the vehicle
  • Plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and insurance company and policy number
  • List of contents stolen from the vehicle
  • List of any identifying features, such as dents, scratches, or markings.

If you notice any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, contact your area Crime Manager. Alternatively, you can call the Hamilton Police non-emergency line at 905-546-4925. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 905-522-8477.

More information:

Warm-up thefts: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonPolice/videos/1144747043866722

Protecting yourself and your property: https://hamiltonpolice.on.ca/prevention/protecting-yourself-and-your-property

Hamilton Water Winter Updates

Posted on by lyndzeefreeman

Catch Basins: A catch basin is a structure that collects rainwater and prevents debris from entering the drainage system. It helps prevent flooding and keeps the system clear of pollutants. During winter months, it’s important to keep catch basins free of snow and ice. This allows proper drainage during thaw cycles and helps prevent flooding when the weather warms up. To keep catch basins working at their best in your neighbourhood:

  1. Keep ice and snow from collecting near catch basins, and help keep leaves and yard waste from roadways, ditches, and sidewalks.
  2. Dispose of litter properly to prevent blockages in the sewer system.
  3. Report any issues by calling 905-546-2489 for removal.

To report misuse of a catch basin, such as litter or pollutants, to report spills—any unusual release of pollutants, or request maintenance—call the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489 (CITY). Connecting directly with an operator via the 24/7 Contact Center helps to ensure prompt cleanup, investigation, and prevention.  Catch Basin and Street Drain Use

Keep Hydrants Clear: Remember to shovel an area around fire hydrants, ensuring they remain visible and accessible for emergency responders. Winter Fire Safety

Frozen Pipe Awareness and Prevention: Protect your homes from frozen pipes. This video contains helpful tips: How to Keep Your Pipes from Freezing, and more information can be found on the Frozen Pipes page of our website.

Winter Safety Around Stormwater Ponds: Ice depth can vary significantly across the surface of stormwater ponds, and the continuous flow of water makes ice conditions unstable. Ponds collect runoff from roadways that contain salt, lowering the freezing temperature of the water. Air pockets can easily form in the ice, posing additional risks. Even if a stormwater pond appears fully frozen, it is important to stay off the ice. The ice may still be unstable, and there may be areas of open water beneath the surface. Many of these ponds are located in remote areas, far from help. It is imperative to stay off any ice surface, including stormwater ponds, regardless of their appearance. Stormwater Management Ponds.

Turn Off Your Water When You Go Away: Turning off the water when you go away protects your property. The City of Hamilton Leak Protection Program will not cover unattended homes that have not had the building control water valve turned off and the plumbing system drained. Homes left without heat for any period are also at risk. To request a water turn-off at the curb, call the City Contact Center at 905-546-2489 (CITY). There is a fee for this service.   Water Efficient Homes

These important messages will help ensure the safety and well-being of our community throughout the winter season.