2012-2018 Year in Review

A big year for Canada’s national urban park

2017 was a watershed year for Rouge National Urban Park in the Greater Toronto Area.

Not only did the park host the official national launch of Parks Canada’s monumental 2017 season, but it also engaged with a record number of Canadians, offering more than 400 free events, educational programs, workshops and learn-to sessions inside and outside the park.

In collaboration with Indigenous partners, park farmers, volunteers, various levels of government, conservation groups and community organizations, Parks Canada also achieved a number of important legislative and land assembly milestones in conjunction with Canada’s national urban park.

On top of that, Parks Canada continued to work with its partners to enhance and protect the Rouge’s incredible natural, cultural and agricultural heritage, and to provide quality experiences for its visitors.

Significant highlights included:

• April 1, 2017 – Transport Canada transferred an additional 21 km2 of lands in Pickering and Uxbridge (Durham region) to Parks Canada for Rouge National Urban Park.

• June 19, 2017 – Bill C-18 received Royal Assent. Bill C-18 amended the Rouge National Urban Park Act to ensure the park has the strongest possible ecological protections, while also providing additional certainty for park farmers.

• Oct. 21, 2017 – The Government of Ontario transferred and released its interest in 22.8 km² of lands to Parks Canada for the national urban park.

As we look ahead to another exciting year in the Rouge in 2018, Parks Canada now manages or has an interest in nearly 80 per cent of the 79.1 km² of lands identified for the national urban park – from Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine.

A MESSAGE FROM PARKS CANADA

Last year was the busiest one yet for Canada’s national urban park.

In addition to celebrating the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, Rouge National Urban Park also welcomed numerous visitors and hosted many in-park and community events, including signature national events such as BioBlitz, Canada Day, Illuminations and more.

In collaboration with our partners, we also completed several restoration projects in the park, and continued to work with our community and Indigenous partners on initiatives to meaningfully connect with Canadians and visitors.

Rouge National Urban Park also took a big leap forward in October when the Government of Ontario transferred and released its interest in lands to Parks Canada to help complete the park. Officially established in 2015, the Rouge is now well past the halfway mark to becoming the largest urban park in North America!

No matter if you’re a long-time visitor, or have yet to venture out into the national urban park, the Rouge has something for everyone. All of us at Parks Canada are excited for the year ahead, and we look forward to seeing you in the park, on the trails, or in the community in 2018.

 – Pamela L. Veinotte, Field Unit Superintendent, Rouge National Urban Park

Conservation Success Stories

In 2017, Parks Canada continued to work with its partners on important ecological restoration and farmland enhancement projects throughout the national urban park. A total of 10 new projects were initiated in the Little Rouge watershed and, for the first time since Parks Canada started managing land here, the West Duffins watershed.

The focus of these new restoration projects included stream bank and upland forest restoration, water quality improvements through wetland construction, as well as wetland habitat improvement for birds, amphibians and other small mammals – all of which contribute to restoring habitat suitable for important cool and cold water fish species that historically existed in the park.

As part of this work in 2017, more than 20 hectares of wetlands and riparian and forest habitat were restored in the Rouge. Additionally, in collaboration with our partners, more than 33,000 native trees, perennials, shrubs and aquatic plants were planted in the park. This brings the total number of restoration projects initiated and completed in Rouge National Urban Park to 41 since 2015.

Other conservation highlights include:

• The release of 49 baby Blanding’s turtles, bringing the total number of Blanding’s turtles reintroduced in the Rouge by Parks Canada and the Toronto Zoo to more than 150 since 2014.

• The stabilisation and initial recapitalization of cultural heritage assets located in the park, such as the Locust Hill schoolhouse, the David Burke House, the Wellington Wideman House and the John B. Miller House.
  
  

Visitor Experience Highlights

Last year was a blockbuster year for Parks Canada’s Visitor Experience team in Rouge National Urban Park.

In addition to seeing an almost fourfold increase in visits to our welcome areas, we also welcomed more than 15,000 guests and participants at our 25 in-park events throughout 2017.

Welcome areas staff also helped people to plan their visits to other Parks Canada places across the country, distributing more than 15,000 free 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Passes throughout the season.

Other visitor highpoints from 2017 include:

• The return of several of our marquee park events, including WinterRouge, Taste of the Trail, Art Day and the Fall Walks Festival. Many of these events grew significantly in popularity, attracting a record number of visitors, as well as community and Indigenous partners to collaborate on program delivery.

• Welcoming more than 50 new Canadians at our very first in-park citizenship ceremony in the Bob Hunter Memorial area of the park, in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

• In addition to our existing welcome areas in the Toronto and Markham areas of the park, introducing roving pop-up welcome areas in various parts of the park to better serve our visitors.

• Opening five new signature Parks Canada oTENTik accommodations at the Glen Rouge Campground, which are now available for booking through the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority website: camping.trca.on.ca
  
  

First Nations Advisory Circle

Rouge National Urban Park’s First Nations Advisory Circle is comprised of representatives from 10 First Nations with an expressed interest and historic and cultural connection to the park.

To date, Parks Canada has worked collaboratively with Advisory Circle members on a number of important park initiatives, including archaeological assessments, restoration projects and visitor experience initiatives such as Taste of the Trail, Learn-to Camp and others.

Parks Canada looks forward to continuing to work on Rouge initiatives and programs with our Indigenous partners through the Circle and our meaningful and positive relationship, which we deeply value and respect.

Parks Canada in the Community

In 2017, Parks Canada staff made more than 75,000 contacts at over 100 festivals, libraries, community events and public spaces throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Here’s a sample of community outreach highlights from 2017:

• Canada 150 Rouge Express: Parkbus, TD, MEC and Parks Canada provided a free shuttle service for 2500 people from downtown Toronto to the Rouge, with 90 per cent of riders being first-time visitors!

• Learn-to Camp: More than 26,500 GTA residents took part in our Learn-to Camp programming, largely through partnerships with public libraries, YMCA chapters, community centres and municipal parks.

• The Rouge App: Developed in partnership with University of Toronto Scarborough, the park’s first ever app was launched in the fall of 2017. The app uses GPS technology to transform a visitor’s phone into a virtual tour guide. Users can explore a detailed info guide, report sightings and track their hikes. The app is free to download on iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) devices.

• Photographer-in-Residence: Parks Canada hired the Rouge’s second ever OCAD University photographer-in-residence, Cassandra Smyth, whose images are featured throughout this newsletter. She also staged two well-received photo exhibitions of her work in the park, entitled The Rouge: An Urban Wilderness.

• Mood Walks: This partnership with the Scarborough and Rouge Hospital promotes activity in nature to improve physical and mental health through guided walks for youth experiencing mental health challenges.

A MESSAGE FROM PARKS CANADA

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2017 from Parks Canada and Rouge National Urban Park.

Over the course of this past year, Parks Canada has been working diligently in the Rouge completing various restoration projects, providing quality visitor experiences for guests, partnering with our communities on exciting new initiatives, and making progress on land assembly for Canada’s first national urban park.

Our success in 2016 would not have been possible without collaboration with our First Nations Advisory Circle, park farmers, volunteers and conservation groups, as well as other levels of government, countless individuals and numerous community organizations. We sincerely look forward to continuing to work with all of our valued partners and stakeholders in the year ahead.

As we look back and reflect on our achievements, we’re also busy planning and preparing for 2017, which is the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. During this year’s Canada 150 celebrations, Rouge National Urban Park and the GTA will host many outstanding special events and programs to commemorate Canada’s sesquicentennial year.

To find out more about Rouge National Urban Park, including upcoming Canada 150 events in the park and around the GTA, please check out our social media channels or our website parkscanada.ca/rouge

We look forward to welcoming you to the park and celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday with you in 2017!

-Pamela L. Veinotte Field Unit Superintendent, Rouge National Urban Park

2016 MILESTONES: ROUGE NATIONAL URBAN PARK

• On Feb. 9, 2016, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, announced Parks Canada was contributing $150,000 to the Toronto Zoo to help re-establish a healthy, local population of Blanding’s turtles in Rouge National Urban Park.
  
  
• On June 9, 2016, the Government of Canada tabled Bill C-18, which includes amendments to the Rouge National Urban Park Act that will protect the Rouge’s important ecosystems and heritage, as well as ensure that the ecological integrity of the park is the first priority in the park’s management. The amendments also provide greater certainty for park farmers.
  
  
• On June 18, 2016, the Ontario Government reaffirmed its commitment to transfer its owned or controlled lands to Parks Canada for Rouge National Urban Park.
  
  
• On June 21, 2016, Parks Canada and the Toronto Zoo partnered, for the third year in a row, on the release of 36 more baby Blanding’s turtles – a nationally and provincially-threatened species. To date, 67 baby Blanding’s turtles have been released in Rouge National Urban Park. More releases are to come.
  
  
• On Oct. 22, 2016, in collaboration with the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority, City of Markham, York Region and Province of Ontario, Parks Canada celebrated the official opening of Bob Hunter Memorial Park, named after the well-known Canadian environmentalist and Greenpeace co-founder.
  
  
• Second Reading of Bill C-18 concluded on Nov. 25, 2016. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Environmental and Sustainable Development, which reviewed the Bill and reported it back to the House of Commons on Dec. 14, 2016, without amendment.
  
  
• In 2016, the online presence of Rouge National Urban Park significantly increased, achieving close to 1 million impressions with our various online audiences!
  
  
• In 2016, Parks Canada offered more than 300 free educational programs and public events inside the park, and attended more than 50 community events and festivals, including the CNE and Markham Fair.
  
  

CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORIES

In 2016, 16 new aquatic habitat restoration projects were completed in the Rouge, primarily concentrating on Katabokokonk Creek, a tributary of the Little Rouge River. Projects included restoration of important wetlands and swamps, enhancement of fish habitat and aquatic connectivity, planting of native species, and removal of invasive species.

The goal of these projects is to improve water quality and aquatic habitat, including the reduction of soil erosion and ultimately the restoration of habitat suitable for important cool and cold water fish species that historically existed in the park. The work also helped to enhance the function of farmland in the park, including improving farm drainage and reducing the loss of valuable agricultural soils.

In 2016, 14.03 hectares of wetland and riparian habitat, 15.9 hectares of forest habitat and 1,160 metres of stream bank were restored and rehabilitated. We also installed two new culverts to improve fish movement and aquatic habitat, and planted almost 19,000 native trees and shrubs in the park with the help of our Indigenous partners and hundreds of elementary and high school students from across the GTA. In partnership with tenant farmers, we installed four new tile treatment wetlands to enhance the quality of water flowing off farmland, removed hundreds of invasive trees and planted native tree windbreaks.

Early results show that biodiversity is increasing at these restored habitat sites, with more than 34 bird species and seven amphibian species moving in to newly restored wetland habitats from surrounding areas, and native plants thriving and growing rapidly throughout this past season.

This brings the total number of restoration projects completed in the park to 31 in just two years. Working in collaboration with the TRCA, farmers, municipalities, Indigenous partners, schools and volunteers, we have already restored more than 32 hectares of wetland and riparian habitat, 20 hectares of forest, and have planted more than 38,000 native plants in Rouge National Urban Park.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

This past year was an exceptional second operational season for Parks Canada’s Visitor Experience team in Rouge National Urban Park. In addition to having two welcome areas open throughout this year’s summer season to serve our guests, Parks Canada collaborated with community and Indigenous partners to host more than 300 free in-park events throughout 2016. These events enabled thousands of Canadians, GTA residents and visitors to explore, connect with and celebrate the diversity of the Rouge’s unique natural, cultural and agricultural landscapes.

Highlights from this past season were a very rainy (yet well attended!) Winter Bird Count in January, our popular summer Learn to Camp events at Glen Rouge Campground, and our festive holiday-themed walks in December. Other notable events in 2016 included Hoot and Howl, Taste of the Trail, Frog Watch, Learn to Fish, Jane’s Walk, Moth Night and Butterfly Day, and the very first Art Day in the Rouge, just to name a few.

Parks Canada also partnered with Ontario Power Generation, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Toronto Zoo and others to host this past year’s Fall Walk Festival in the Rouge. The event, which features fun and fascinating outings with our award-winning walk leaders, also included special guest educators from the Royal Ontario Museum, Bird Studies Canada and the City of Markham. Parks Canada was also delighted to once again work with the non-profit Parkbus service to provide a free shuttle from downtown Toronto for the Fall Walk Festival for hundreds of first-time visitors to Rouge National Urban Park.

PARKS DAY 2016: LIVE FROM THE ROUGE!

In the very early morning hours of July 15, 2016, Parks Canada welcomed CBC Radio Toronto’s Metro Morning show to Rouge National Urban Park. Metro Morning broadcast the day’s entire 3-hour radio show live from the park, sharing lots of great stories about conservation, Indigenous connections to the park, farming, volunteering, camping, mental health, photography and so much more.

The radio coverage also resulted in a TV spot about Canada’s first national urban park that aired on CBC Toronto’s 6 p.m. newscast that evening, as well as several web stories related to the park, including “A hidden gem in this new Torontonian’s backyard,” “Up your camp cuisine with this Chinese hot pot recipe,” “Ditch your map: UTSC students developing app for Rouge National Urban Park,” and “Digging up First Nations history in Rouge Park.”

PARKS CANADA IN THE COMMUNITY

This year was a busy one for Parks Canada’s participation in community events.

In 2016, the Agency collaborated with more than 30 partners from across the GTA on more than 50 events inside and outside the Rouge.

These community collaborations resulted in the delivery of exciting initiatives for Rouge National Urban Park visitors and area residents.

A few events from early 2016 include participating in the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s 60th anniversary celebrations, as well as having a presence at the City of Pickering’s Environmental Discovery Day, the Durham District School Board’s Sustainability Conference, and the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee’s Earth Month Celebrations.

As the season transitioned to warmer weather, Parks Canada opened its main office, located in the historic Cornell-Campbell House in Scarborough, for Doors Open Toronto and Bluffs Gates Open Home & Garden Tour. Then, as spring turned to summer, Parks Canada provided programming for the Markham Public Library’s Summer Reading Club, showed up with Parka in tow at the Kids’ CBC Days festival in downtown Toronto, and spent two weeks at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition).

As summer gave way to fall, Parks Canada was on hand at the East Scarborough Storefront’s annual WaterWise event, and also participated in bus tours for City of Pickering residents. The Agency also had outreach displays at one of Canada’s oldest country fairs, the Markham Fair, as well as at the binational Great Lakes Public Forum in Toronto, which occurs once every three years.

Toward the end of the year, Parks Canada held the “Reclaiming the City” photography exhibition in downtown Toronto in collaboration with OCAD University, featuring the work of Heike Reuse, Rouge National Urban Park’s very first photographer-in-residence (her work is featured throughout this newsletter). Additionally, staff from Rouge National Urban Park also attended the Eco Fair at the Artscape Wychwood Barns, delivered a presentation to theRexdale Community Hub’s STEM Club, and braved the icy cold temperatures, along with Parka, to walk in the 2016 Toronto Santa Claus Parade.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! 2017 is set to be an even bigger year for Rouge National Urban Park in the community and we’re very excited that the year is now underway

Parks Canada connecting with GTA communities

From healthy walks and learning to camp in the park, to making connections in neighbourhoods surrounding the Rouge, Parks Canada has been very busy in recent months collaborating with its various community partners to develop and deliver some exciting initiatives for Rouge National Urban Park visitors and GTA residents.

Among these new initiatives, Parks Canada has partnered with the Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) to present Mood Walks in the Scarborough area. The program, which launched in May and runs until this fall, consists of 10 guided walks led by Parks Canada staff and volunteers. The walks are targeted to youth aged 13 to 24 that are interested in improving their physical and mental health, as well as their social skills by getting outdoors, learning new things, and meeting fun and interesting people.

Mood Walks explore the walking trails around the RVHS grounds as well as in Rouge National Urban Park, where participants learn more about wildlife, forests, wetlands and farms. Going out for a walk to enjoy nature not only benefits program participants, but has been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety levels for everyone.

“The Mood Walks initiative is going very well and early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Sheryl Santos, Partnering and Engagement Officer. “In terms of getting participants outdoors and into the community, the program has definitely delivered on that front. We’ve even seen some program participants take it upon themselves to get out and independently visit the Rouge on their own time.”

Another exciting community initiative is Parks Canada’s collaboration with the East Scarborough Storefront, which serves residents from the Kingston-Galloway and Orton Park neighbourhoods in East Toronto.

Parks Canada staff have been providing tours of the Rouge for various Storefront groups, such as their Ecoclub, gardening group and the “Understanding your Environment Program” in partnership with the University of Toronto Scarborough. We are also proud to be a new organization participating in the Storefront’s annual WaterWise Event this fall, which is a festival to learn about and celebrate water.

In addition to these new initiatives, Parks Canada continues to work with long-time community partners,like the Markham Museum and Markham Library, on their summer camps and programs for youth. This summer, Parks Canada outreach staff participated in the museum’s Senior Superhero Science Camp in which participants learned more about science through their favourite comic book characters. The Parks Canada team also partnered with the library to deliver an environmental educational workshop for their Summer Reading Club at various library branches throughout York Region.

“Whether it’s bringing guests in for a tour of the park or getting out in the community to talk about and showcase the park,” adds Santos, “our goalis to help visitors connect with the incredible experiences the Rouge has to offer.”

A MESSAGE FROM PARKS CANADA

Greetings from Parks Canada and Rouge National Urban Park.

This year has already been filled with many exciting developments in the ongoing establishment of Canada’s first national urban park in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We also continue to collaborate with our First Nations and community partners and stakeholders to provide opportunities for visitors to connect with the park through events, educational programming, stewardship, volunteerism and citizen engagement.

Parks Canada has made many new connections in the community, which have resulted in new and innovative programming for visitors to the national urban park. I’m also happy to report that as we expand our offerings in the Rouge, we are now staging our popular programs and events in more areas of the park, including our Reesor North and Zoo Road Welcome Areas, Bob Hunter Memorial Park, the Glen Rouge Campground, Rouge Beach and more.

As we look back on a very busy and exciting spring and summer, we are also looking ahead to this upcoming fall and the spectacular autumn colours that will be on full display in the Rouge. We’re extremely fortunate to have a national urban park in our backyards that is accessible all year round.

For the latest and most-up-to-date information on what’s happening in Canada’s first national urban park, I encourage you to visit out our website – parkscanada.ca/rouge – and check our social media channels.

There’s no better season than right now to get outdoors and enjoy the park. See you on the trails!

-Pamela L. Veinotte Field Unit Superintendent, Rouge National Urban Park

LATEST NEWS: Rouge National Urban Park

Here are some highlights from the first half of 2016:

• On Feb. 9, 2016, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, announced Parks Canada was making a contribution of $150,000 to the Toronto Zoo to help re-establish a healthy, local population of Blanding’s turtles in Rouge National Urban Park.

• On June 9, 2016, the Government of Canada tabled amendments to the Rouge National Urban Park Act that will protect the Rouge’s important ecosystems and heritage as well as ensure that the ecological integrity of the park is the first priority in the park’s management. The amendments also provide greater certainty for park farmers. Farmers can continue carrying out agricultural activities within the park and provide an important source of locally-grown food to the Greater Toronto Area.

• On June 18, 2016, the Ontario Government reaffirmed its commitment to transfer approx. 6.5 km2 (1,600 acres) of land to Parks Canada as well as relinquish reversionary rights to approx. 15 km2 (3,700 acres) of additional lands managed by the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority.

• On June 21, 2016, Parks Canada and the Toronto Zoo partnered, for the third year in a row, to release 36 more baby Blanding’s turtles – a nationally and provincially-threatened species – in the Rouge. To date, 67 baby Blanding’s turtles have been released in Rouge National Urban Park. More releases are to come. Caption: The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
  
  

Parks Canada’s welcome areas – Your doorway to the Rouge!

This is the first full summer season for the national urban park’s first two welcome areas, which are located at the corner of Reesor and Elgin Mills Roads in Markham, and on Zoo Road (also known as Park Road) near the Toronto Zoo. And as Parks Canada staff start to become “familiar faces” in the community, the welcome areas are drawing in a wide variety of park visitors.

Whether visitors are stopping by for directions, up-to-date info or even first aid assistance, Parks Canada staff are available at these locations to help out. Welcome area staff can also assist with planning your day in the park or providing more information about other Parks Canada places across the country.

The two Rouge welcome areas also feature picnic areas, washrooms, interpretive displays, books and take-away activities, such as scavenger hunts and Xplorer! booklets for kids, just to name a few. Also new this year, the Zoo Road Welcome Area location now sells official Parks Canada merchandise!

As for upcoming events, there’s always something special going on at the Zoo Road Welcome Area on holiday long weekends, including free airbrush Parks Canada temporary tattoos. Be sure to stop by over Thanksgiving weekend (Oct. 8-10) when the popular Fall Walk Series will be happening in the Rouge and the incredible fall colours will be on full display.

After Labour Day weekend both welcome areas will switch from a seven-day to a five-day schedule and will be open from Wednesday to Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until they close for the season after Thanksgiving.

Toronto school wins Canada’s Coolest School Trip contest

In April 2016, a split Grade 7/8 class from Toronto's Duke of Connaught Junior and Senior Public School beat out some tough competition from across the country to win the Canada's Coolest School Trip contest with a video entry that highlighted the natural and cultural significance of Rouge National Urban Park.

Check out their video! 

For their video, the class won a five-day trip to Jasper National Park this past June. For many of the students it was their first time visiting the Canadian Rockies.

The trip included white water rafting on the Athabasca River, a visit to the Columbia Icefield aboard the giant Ice Explorer and a stop at the historic Palisades Centre, to name a few of their educational and fun activities. A big congratulations to all of the students and staff at Duke of Connaught School for a job well done!

Updates from the Rouge National Urban Park team

With Parks Canada proudly working towards becoming the stewards of Rouge National Urban Park, we have embraced the important role of involving and listening to Canadians, while encouraging them to help shape Canada’s first national urban park. This is an exciting new concept that will celebrate and protect, for current and future generations, a diverse landscape in Canada’s largest metropolitan area. We are pleased to share some updates on this exciting initiative!

A Successful Public Engagement Program

Last summer, Parks Canada led a public engagement program, filled with many outreach events and information sessions, where our staff members were on hand to discuss the Rouge National Urban Park concept.

By the end of the engagement program in October 2012, Parks Canada had received thousands of comments from Canadians, near and far, expressing a diversity of perspectives. Since then, we have been reviewing and analyzing the comments received. A summary report is now available and shared on our public website at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/rouge. For years to come, those of you who provided input can proudly state you helped shape Canada’s first national urban park. Thank-­You!

Next Steps in the Establishment Process

The input received on the Rouge National Urban Park concept, during the summer/fall 2012 engagement program, will help shape the development of the strategic management plan. This plan will provide the overarching guidance for the management of Canada’s first national urban park. Premised on accountability, inclusiveness and collaboration, the strategic management plan will outline for Rouge National Urban Park the integrated delivery of Parks Canada’s mandate for protection, education, and visitor experience. Once in draft form, the strategic management plan will be shared for public comment later in 2013.

In parallel to this planning process, we continue working closely with the public landholders towards a Land Assembly Agreement for the lands included in the proposed study area. In addition, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority continues as the managing authority for the existing Rouge Park, working closely with Parks Canada and local municipalities as the establishment process continues. The TRCA keeps Parks Canada abreast of all discussions and decisions regarding the current park, while regularly seeking our input to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the future Rouge National Urban Park.

Our New Home

We are pleased to have found a place we can call ‘home’ for our team members. As its temporary office, Parks Canada is leasing the historic Cornell Campbell House from the City of Toronto. Our team has been busy getting the office set up these past months and it is proving to be a great location, given the proximity to the park. The Rouge National Urban Park office is located at 3620 Kingston Road in Scarborough.

Here are our full contact details:

P.O. Box 11024 105 Guildwood Parkway
Scarborough, Ontario M1E 1N0
Tel: 416.264.2020
Fax: 416.264.2167

Did you know….?

The Rouge River and Little Rouge Creek made up the eastern branch of the ‘Carrying Place Trail’ for First Nations and European explorers.

Your chance to help shape Canada’s first National Urban Park has just been extended!

The Rouge National Urban Park concept and online public engagement platform have been available on the Parks Canada website since late June. We are so pleased with the incredible amount of input we’ve received from the public that we have extended this important public involvement period. Your opportunity to provide input to our online survey (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/Rouge) has been extended to Monday, October 8, 2012! This is your chance to help shape the future of Rouge National Urban Park. We look forward to hearing from you!

A Busy Summer for Public Engagement

On June 25, 2012 the public engagement process kicked off with a busy summer schedule of events and information sessions. Parks Canada staff were on hand to discuss the Rouge National Urban Park concept and to encourage people to provide their comments through the online survey (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/Rouge). Over 20 events were held both in and around the park, including: the Cedarena fundraiser, Junior Jays game, Farmers Market at the Brickworks, The Guild Alive with Arts and Culture Festival, Senior’s Breakfast, Tour de Rouge Cycling Event, Port Union Waterfront Festival… and the list goes on.

Three public information sessions were hosted at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, the Markham Museum and the City of Pickering Council Chambers. The three sessions were well attended with an average attendance of 100 interested citizens. Superintendent Pam Veinotte was very pleased with the turnout and expressed the value of these sessions stating: “The chance to interact with interested citizens is very important and allowed Parks Canada staff to listen and understand a variety of perspectives related to the establishment and management of Rouge National Urban Park.”

The City of Toronto is hosting a public meeting where you can learn more about the Beare Road Landfill and provide input on the future of this site. This is an exciting opportunity and Parks Canada will be there to share information about the proposed neighbouring Rouge National Urban Park. The meeting will be held Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m at the Blessed Mother Theresa Catholic Secondary School, 40 Sewells Road

First Nations

Parks Canada continues to engage with First Nations to ensure their communities are informed and their views and concerns are reflected in the establishment and management of Rouge National Urban Park. As part of ongoing engagement, an information session was held in July to discuss the Rouge National Urban Park concept, the land transfer process for park creation and the establishment of a First Nations Advisory Circle. The input of First Nations will be key to successfully presenting the rich Aboriginal history of the Rouge Valley, exploring how the past is linked to current First Nations issues and celebrating the culture of First Nations in ways that engage and educate visitors to the park.

Welcome Rouge National Urban Park Superintendent

The appointment of Rouge National Urban Park’s first superintendent was made earlier this summer. Formerly Superintendent of Canada’s first national park in Banff, Pam Veinotte assumed her new duties on July 16, 2012. Pam brings a wealth of experience to this ground­-breaking position. Throughout her lengthy career with Parks Canada, she has shown a spirit of collaboration and inclusion, building numerous partnerships between the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Welcome Pam!

Best Wishes

The Rouge National Urban Park Team would like to pass along our deepest thanks and our most heartfelt congratulations to Catherine Grenier. As many of our newsletter subscribers know, as Director of the Rouge National Urban Park Initiative, Catherine worked tirelessly in moving this exciting project forward, while forging strong relationships and wonderful new partnering opportunities with countless stakeholders, local organizations and community members. Catherine is now taking some well-deserved time off with her family and her brand new baby boy Justin, born in early August. Congratulations Catherine on the new addition to your family and to your incredible work this past year! We all miss you tremendously! Did you know….? Rouge Park is home to the Carolinian forest; a rare ecosystem that represents less than one­-quarter of one percent of the total land mass of the country.

Working together towards a land transfer for the creation of Rouge National Urban Park

On June 25, 2012 The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada is pleased with the level of collaboration by the public landholders expressing their commitment to work together toward a recommendation on park boundaries, and subsequent land transfer processes, for the creation of Rouge National Urban Park.

With the recently announced financial commitment of $143.7M over ten years the commitment of the public landholders is an important next step towards the establishment of Rouge National Urban Park. Parks Canada will continue to work collectively with all partners including: City of Toronto; City of Pickering; Town of Markham; Regional Municipalities of York and Durham, Toronto Region Conservation Authority; and, the Province of Ontario towards a land transfer agreement for the Fall of 2012.

Another important step taken to ensure the positive momentum built over the last decades continues is the appointment of Ms Pam Veinotte, currently the Superintendent for Banff National Park as Rouge National Urban Park’s first Superintendent. As leader of one of Parks Canada’s most iconic and most visited national parks, the appointment of Ms. Veinotte is another concrete federal commitment.

Help shape Canada’s first National Urban Park

The Rouge National Urban Park concept and online public engagement platform are now available on the Parks Canada website. Input from the public is of great value to Parks Canada and this on-line platform will facilitate participation of interested individuals in shaping Canada’s first national urban park. The Rouge National Urban Park concept, developed this past year with provincial, municipal, Aboriginal, youth and community partners, includes conservation of natural and cultural resources, opportunities for learning, a wide range of visitor experience possibilities, and the integration and promotion of sustainable agriculture. Interested citizens can now access the platform via Parks Canada’s website to learn more about the Rouge National Urban Park initiative and concept, to provide input, or visit the calendar of events and public meetings that will be held over the course of the summer months throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Did you know….?

Rouge Park is home to City of Toronto’s only working farms?

Federal Government announces funding for Rouge National Urban Park

The Government of Canada announced in Budget 2012 its commitment to preserving Canada’s natural beauty and taking action on the creation of Canada’s first national urban park in the Rouge Valley in Ontario.

On May 25, 2012, during a meeting with Aboriginal and community partners, and a broad range of stakeholders, the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), announced Budget 2012 funding towards the establishment of Rouge National Urban Park.

Accordingly, $143.7 million was provided over 10 years for park development and interim operations, and $7.6 million per year thereafter was provided for its continuing operations.

Further details regarding this exciting announcement are offered on our website. Please visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/rouge.

Proposed Study Area

Parks Canada is pleased to share the proposed Study Area for Rouge National Urban Park, which fulfills the original vision for a contiguous network of lands reaching from Lake Ontario in the south all the way north to the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The proposed Study Area for Rouge National Urban Park contains areas that include those in the proposal set out in the Rouge Park Alliance governance report. The area also respects the goals and principles that have been established through this past year of discussions with stakeholders. A detailed map of the proposed Study Area is now available on our website.

Transition Advisory Committee

Building on the legacy of community involvement and multi-jurisdictional cooperation, Parks Canada will create a Transition Advisory Committee, which will provide advice and input on the establishment process and interim management of the park. The Transition Advisory Committee will ensure the diversity of interests is reflected. Appointments will be made this summer by the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Minister of the Environment and the Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

Get Involved

With federal funding now in place, Parks Canada can now officially move forward with the establishment process and will launch the public involvement phase beginning in late June. All Canadians, especially those located in the GTA, should get involved, provide their input and be a part of making history with this Canadian first. Information and a schedule of activities regarding the public involvement phase will soon be posted on our website.

Did you know….?

There is more than 10,000 years of human history in the Rouge Valley?

The Government of Canada will take action on the creation of Rouge National Urban Park

As stated in Budget 2012, the Government is committed to preserving Canada’s natural beauty and will take action on the creation of Canada’s first national urban park in the Rouge Valley in Ontario.

The Government of Canada is excited about this groundbreaking initiative. We envision the building of a “people’s park”; where connections are forged between the people of this great nation and the elements that make us truly Canadian. Rouge National Urban Park will be a place where people can gather, connect, be engaged, be stewards.

The opportunity to establish Rouge Park under the stewardship of Parks Canada, as the first national urban park, builds on the legacy of the Agency as international leaders in heritage conservation, visitor experience and partnering opportunities. It is also well aligned with our current priority to meaningfully reach Canada’s youth and its increasingly diverse urban population.

Details regarding how Budget 2012 relates to the Rouge National Urban Park initiative will be offered on our website as they become available. Please visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/rouge.

A Proposed Park Concept

Parks Canada has been actively developing the Rouge National Urban Park concept– an important component in the establishment process that has been developed this past year based on input from many provincial, municipal, Aboriginal, youth and community partners. The proposed Rouge National Urban Park concept includes such things as conservation of natural and cultural resources, opportunities for learning, a wide range of visitor experience possibilities, and the integration and promotion of sustainable agriculture.

We look forward to finalizing and presenting this proposed concept to all of Canada, as we begin public consultations this summer.

Next Steps

This is a chance in a lifetime to be a part of something brand new; to explore an idea that has never been done before in Canada. With no comparable places, we have a unique opportunity to work together towards building something new – Canada’s first national urban park.

Input from the public is of great value in the park establishment process. Beginning this summer, Parks Canada will ensure there is an opportunity for you to provide input during public consultations.

Following the completion of public consultation, Parks Canada will then be in the position to put forward a recommendation to Government on the legislative process.

This is an exciting time that is only just beginning. Parks Canada embraces the important role our diverse communities, whether Aboriginal peoples, volunteers or local citizens, play in helping to fulfill our mandate. As an Agency, we can’t do our work alone. We welcome your involvement during this establishment process and hope to nurture your long-term involvement with the future management of this treasured place.

Get Involved

Owing its existence to the dedication and engagement illustrated by many local visionaries, our collective passion for this park can be fully celebrated with this federal government commitment. Updates on the Rouge National Urban Park initiative are posted regularly on our public website at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/rouge.

Did you know….?

The current Rouge Park is more than ten times the size of New York’s Central Park or Vancouver’s Stanley Park and 30 times the size of Hyde Park in London, UK.

Working together towards the establishment of Canada’s first national urban park

The Government of Canada announced in the 2011 Speech from the Throne its commitment to work towards the creation of a national urban park in the Rouge Valley. The opportunity to establish Rouge Park under the stewardship of Parks Canada builds on the success of the Agency’s past efforts and is well aligned with its current priority to meaningfully reach Canada’s youth as well as its increasingly diverse urban population.

A national urban park is a unique concept in Canada. There are currently no comparable places, and so it will require an innovative conservation and management approach to respond to the park’s unique urban context. Aligned with Parks Canada’s mandate, the concept will include conservation of natural and cultural resources, opportunities for learning, a wide range of visitor experience possibilities, and the integration and promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Parks Canada has been working with several key stakeholders and partners including municipal, provincial, Aboriginal, agriculture, recreation, academic, tourism, conservation, youth and several community partners to shape the key elements for a vision and concept for the implementation of Canada’s first national urban park. This concept will continue to be developed and guided by consultations with a broad range of partners, stakeholders and the public.

Stay Informed

We are pleased to be building all-new web content on Parks Canada’s public website, related to background information and project updates on the Rouge National Urban Park Initiative. Web content will be added regularly over the coming weeks and months, so please visit it regularly. www.parkscanada.gc.ca/

Twitter

We have created a hashtag for Twitter and will post relevant updates through our feed. #RougeNUP (#RougePUN en français).

Facebook

For Facebook users, we encourage you to ‘like’ us so that you receive these regular updates.

Engagement Process to Date

Parks Canada puts great emphasis on building relationships and providing meaningful opportunities for consultation with the Canadian public. The national urban park establishment process has included consultations undertaken with a broad range of stakeholders, partners, youth and First Nations to date. Parks Canada will pursue public consultations beginning this summer 2012 to share the proposed national urban park concept for public input.

Visioning Workshop

This workshop, held in November 2011, brought together the varied experience and perspectives of local stakeholders as well as national and provincial organizations with expertise related to conservation, farming, tourism, recreation, youth engagement and education. As part of the early direction-setting stage in the consultation process, the workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share their experience and views on a concept and vision for Rouge National Urban Park. A report has been prepared and can be viewed at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/nppn/cnpn-cnnp/rouge/rouge1/rouge2.aspx

Engaging with First Nations

Parks Canada has hosted information sessions in November 2011 and February 2012 with interested First Nations on the establishment of a national urban park in the Rouge Valley. These sessions are for information sharing on the proposed national urban park, while providing an opportunity to explore First Nations interests in the planning, establishment and presentation of the park. The reception has been positive with First Nations showing an interest in contributing to the process as Parks Canada moves forward with this initiative. Additional sessions are planned for March and April 2012.

Landholders Table

A Landholders Table was established in November 2011 to bring all public land holders and current Rouge Park managing authorities together to discuss and, subsequently, make a recommendation on park boundaries and land transfer processes. Although it is too early to say what the final boundary will be, Parks Canada is actively working in collaboration with these valued partners towards this end and has hosted several meetings to-date with this group.

Youth Forum

Parks Canada recognizes the value of involving youth to gain their perspective and opinions and the need to nurture their stewardship and personal connection to this park as well as the rest of Canada’s treasured places.

On February 2, 2012 Parks Canada and the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) co-hosted a youth workshop that included 65 participants from highschool, college and university. As a first opportunity for their involvement, Parks Canada hosted youth from neighbouring Rouge Park communities and organizations, including UTSC, Centennial College, Dunbarton High School, Malvern Family Resource Centre, East Scarborough Storefront, YMCA-GTA and 4H-Ontario. A report has been prepared and can be viewed at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/np-pn/cnpn-cnnp/rouge/rouge1/atelier-workshop.aspx

Additional Engagement

To develop this new national urban park concept, Parks Canada continues to engage with various partners and stakeholders as part of the planning and establishment process. As this national urban park concept would integrate and promote sustainable agriculture, Parks Canada continues to work with the agricultural community to be inclusive of this context.

Did you know ….?

The Rouge Valley is within approximately 100 km of 20% of the nation’s population.