Rouge National Urban Park Celebrates 10 years

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It was terrific to start the week by celebrating one of citizen advocacy’s finest accomplishments!  The Rouge National Urban Park marked its 10th anniversary this morning. About 50 people gathered to reminisce and reflect on the 50 years it took to build political support for protecting a pristine urban river valley.

Two of our founding Board members, Hon. Pauline Browes and Hon. David Crombie have been involved since the beginning of their political careers. They were not alone. There were many great, determined voices, such as Glenn DeBaeremaeker, who dedicated years to fighting highways, landfills, and sprawl. It is an epic tale demonstrating that when people get and stay involved, they can make profound, generational changes.

And now a new generation of leaders in Parks Canada is carrying the torch.

The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, celebrated this important milestone at an event honouring Indigenous partners, volunteers, farmers, advocates, and local stakeholders who have helped shape the vision of the park. They highlighted key achievements, including major land assembly and legislation, the completion of the park’s first management plan, the development of a multi-species action plan, the completion of 137 restoration projects with partners and collaborators, the addition of 23 km of new trails and a $21 million investment in the future visitor, learning and community centre. Read the press release.

Today the Rouge National Urban Park is Canada’s first, and one of the continent’s, largest urban parks. It has a unique mandate to protect natural and agricultural heritage. And it has become a model for the international conservation movement.

If you’ve never been to the Rouge National Urban Park–add it to your summer/fall list. The GTA is so fortunate to have its trails, forests, wetlands and farms. Sign up for a free guided walk, or enjoy one of many other great activities. Plan your visit.

So what’s next? The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is working with many others to expand the Park by including the Pickering Federal lands. We’ve developed a Shared Vision for the expansion.Transport Canada and Parks Canada will hold public consultations in the Fall. We encourage you to follow the issue and participate in the consultations.

The Rouge National Urban Park stands as a powerful reminder that civic engagement, sustained over time, can yield extraordinary and lasting results—proof that it is not only important to get involved, but profoundly worthwhile.

Photo left to right: Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, Jewel Cunningham, Parks Canada, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Hon. Gary Anandasangaree, Hon. Pauline Browes, Waterfront Regeneration Trust and Friends of the Rouge National Urban Park, Mikailou Sy, Rouge National Urban Park Superintendent, Ajax MP Jennifer McKelvie, Hon. Helena Jaczek, MP Juanita Nathan, Toronto Councillor and Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie.