RHTTC55 e-Magazine

Exciting times are ahead for residents near Weldrick and Spadina in Richmond Hill! The Bayview Hill Community Centre and Park is undergoing a major transformation that will turn this already well-loved community space into a multi-use recreational destination for families, sports lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

🎾 Sports Upgrades for All Ages and Skill Levels

➤ 6 Brand-New Tennis Courts (With Night Lighting)

Tennis players can look forward to six new modern courts — designed for day and evening play. Whether you're taking lessons or enjoying a casual game, there’s now plenty of space.

➤ 4 Lit Pickleball Courts

Pickleball is booming, especially among active seniors and families. These new courts will be lit for evening games, helping Richmond Hill catch up with this fast-growing sport.

➤ Lit Soccer Field

No more rushing before sunset! The upgraded soccer field will be equipped with lighting, making it perfect for evening practices and community leagues.

💦 Family Fun Features That Everyone Will Love

➤ Water Splash Pad for Kids

The new splash pad will keep children cool and giggling all summer long. Interactive sprays, fountains, and jets will provide a safe, fun water play area that parents will also appreciate.

➤ Modern Washroom Building

A long-needed improvement — a brand-new, clean and accessible washroom facility is being added. No more long walks or makeshift rest stops!

⛸️ Winter Features for Year-Round Use

➤ Outdoor Skating Area

Come winter, the park will shine with a dedicated skating space — ideal for beginners, families, and anyone looking to enjoy a Canadian classic just steps from home.

🌳 Park Enhancements for Comfort and Connection

The upgrades don’t stop at courts and splash pads — the city is also focusing on creating a welcoming, beautiful outdoor space. Enhancements include:

Paved, accessible pathways
Shaded seating and gathering spots
Expanded landscaping with new greenery
Clear signage and easier navigation

These thoughtful changes make the park more comfortable and inclusive — whether you're walking the dog, reading on a bench, or socializing with neighbours.

📅 Construction Timeline & What to Expect

Construction has already begun and will continue in phases through 2025. While there will be temporary closures and detours, the city is committed to keeping disruptions to a minimum and updating residents regularly.

💬 Final Thoughts: A Community Investment

The Bayview Hill redevelopment isn’t just about new features — it’s about building a healthier, more connected community. Whether you’re playing sports, chasing kids through the water jets, or enjoying a quiet morning walk, this new park will bring people together and support active, joyful living.

📢 Stay Tuned!

We’ll post updates here as construction progresses. Get ready to enjoy a renewed Bayview Hill Community Centre and Park — where community meets comfort, activity, and fun.

➡️ Have questions or want to share your excitement? Leave a comment below!

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Welcome to Da Shu (大暑) — literally “Major Heat.” If Xiaoshu (Minor Heat) gave us a warm-up, Da Shu is the main act. The sun is blazing, the days are long, the air is thick with humidity, and even the birds seem to take cover under the eaves.

In ancient China — and even in modern times — Da Shu isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s a seasonal reality check: how do we survive the most intense part of summer, while still finding ways to enjoy life?

Let’s step into this fiery moment, and rediscover the old traditions and timeless wisdom that help us cool down and carry on.

☀️ What Is Da Shu?

Da Shu usually falls between July 22 and 24. It marks the period when temperatures peak, especially in the Yangtze River Basin and southern China, with highs often reaching over 38°C (100°F). It’s also the start of 三伏天 (Sanfu Tian) — the “Dog Days of Summer,” the most sweltering, muggy, and exhausting time of the year.

The Yang energy is at its strongest now, and if you’re not careful, it can throw your balance off — which is why rest, hydration, and cooling foods become part of daily life.

🥵 How People Feel in Da Shu

Let’s be honest: it’s hot. Really hot.

Sweat forms before you’ve even left the house.
The pavement feels like it might melt your sandals.
Appetite drops, tempers shorten, and the only thing anyone seems to agree on is the need for shade, cold drinks, and naps.

But in the old days, people didn’t complain — they adapted, listened to nature, and followed seasonal rhythms.

🧊 Old Wisdom for Staying Cool

1. Cold Food, But Not Too Cold

People craved freshness — but didn’t overdo it with ice. Instead, they turned to seasonal cooling foods that nourish without harming digestion.

Winter melon soup (冬瓜汤) — light and cooling, often cooked with barley or lean pork
Mung bean and lily bulb sweet soup (绿豆百合汤) — clears summer heat and soothes irritability
Water chestnut and sugarcane drinks — natural thirst quenchers
Pickled plums (乌梅汤) — slightly sour and sweet, great for restoring electrolytes

In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s all about clearing heat (清热) and promoting fluid (生津) — not just cold for cold’s sake.

2. Keeping It Breezy at Home

Before air conditioners, people got creative:

Bamboo blinds shaded windows and let air through
Soaking feet in cool herbal water became a simple joy
Sleeping on bamboo mats and using mosquito nets under open windows was the norm
Afternoon naps were non-negotiable — because rest was part of staying well

Even today, many elders stick to these habits — and they still work!

3. Sanfu Herbal Patches and Tonic Soups

Strangely enough, some families used Da Shu to boost their immune system with warming therapies. Why? Because “Winter disease treated in summer” (冬病夏治) is a classic idea in Chinese medicine.

This includes:

贴三伏贴 — herbal plasters applied to acupuncture points to treat chronic ailments
Tonic soups with ginseng or Chinese dates — taken in moderation, to build energy

It’s all about tuning the body for resilience, not just temporary comfort.

🐟 A Day for Food and Community

In places like Fuzhou and parts of Guangdong, there’s a charming custom:

“大暑吃仙草，凉快又祛暑。”
“Eat grass jelly on Da Shu — it cools you down and drives out the heat.”

Families gathered for cold noodles, herbal jelly, steamed fish, and pickled vegetables — light but nourishing. The food brought people together, even if only to complain about the heat and laugh over cold tea.

💧 A Time to Slow Down

Da Shu reminds us that there’s no rushing against the heat. You move slower, breathe deeper, and let your body — and your mind — find stillness in the middle of the sun-soaked day.

In fact, some of the best childhood memories come from this time:

Lying on a bamboo mat with a book and a fan
Picking popsicles from a rusty freezer at the corner shop
Listening to the sound of cicadas in the trees and distant thunder in the sky

💬 Final Thought: Sharing the Heat, Sharing the Season

Even if we’re scattered across cities, suburbs, or even continents, we’re connected through this rhythm of nature. When I think of Da Shu, I don’t just feel the heat — I remember the people who shared those hot days with me: family, neighbors, street vendors, and sleepy dogs on shady porches.

So let’s raise a glass of mung bean soup (or iced coffee — I won’t judge) and embrace the heat together. After all, Da Shu doesn’t last forever — but the memories will.

Would you like a Chinese version of this post for bilingual readers?