MARKHAM - The Town of Markham is one of four communities receiving the 2008 Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership. The award recognizes communities for exemplary leadership in heritage conservation and promotion.

"This award acknowledges communities on the leading edge of heritage conservation in this province," said the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “The Town of Markham should be proud of its accomplishments."

The Lieutenant Governor will present the awards at a Queen's Park ceremony on February 20, in the presence of the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust, as part of the province's Heritage Week celebrations. The awards will be presented in conjunction with the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Awards recognizing volunteer achievements.

"We're delighted the Town of Markham is receiving this special award," said Mr. Alexander. "Their leadership in conserving local heritage sets a strong example for other communities across the province."

The Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership is awarded in four population sub-categories. The four recipients are: the Town of Perth (population under 10,000), the Municipality of Port Hope (population from 10,000 to 50,000), the City of Kingston (population of 50,000 to 125,000) and the Town of Markham (population over 125,000).

"I'm very proud that Markham is being honoured by this prestigious award," said Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of the Town of Markham. "It is a significant recognition of our commitment to preserving and remembering both our heritage and the contributions of previous generations in creating the dynamic community we are today."

Due to the Town of Markham's exemplary leadership, much of the community's cultural and natural heritage has been preserved, despite the development pressures it faces. Since its municipal heritage committee was created in 1975, Markham has designated over 250 properties under the Ontario Heritage Act, as well as three Heritage Conservation Districts.

Markham has an outstanding history of protecting and restoring municipally owned properties and offers a variety of incentive programs to owners of designated properties. Markham also has strategies in place to preserve and renew natural heritage, such the Trees for Tomorrow campaign, which will have planted 75,000 trees on public and private lands over the four years of this term of council.

In addition, Markham owns and operates several heritage sites, has a number of active historical societies and heritage property owners' associations, and has participated in Doors Open Ontario since 2003. Markham received the Heritage Canada Foundation's Prince of Wales Prize in 2000.

The Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Awards are administered by the Ontario Heritage Trust, an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.