How I Helped Establish Canada’s First National Urban Park

For a short period in 1998, I lived in Markham on the outskirts of Toronto, and about 500 metres from a park that is now part of the Rouge National Park. And while I lived in Markham…. (drum roll please)…I signed a petition to protect the land that in 2015 became Canada’s First National Urban Park.

The area was being slated for a subdivision development (just like the one I lived in) and local individuals, organizations and government spearheaded efforts to protect the area that eventually became the park. OK, I only signed a petition to protect the land, but still, I did play a role…

Rouge National Park is interesting because once it is fully established, it will be the largest urban park in North America. Here a few other interesting facts about this park:

1. Rouge was established to protect the area’s natural, cultural and agricultural heritage.

2. On the edge of Toronto, the park is located within an hour’s drive of 20 percent of Canada’s population.

3. Rouge is the only National Park that is accessible by public transit.

4. The park’s biodiversity includes more than 1,700 species of plants and animals and that’s now even counting the animals found in the Toronto Zoo which is located within the park’s boundaries.

5. The park also has a very rich cultural heritage as for centuries, the Rouge formed part of an important travel and trade route for First Nations.

Twenty years ago I strolled the park’s path with my then one-year-old son, Jean-Charles and on May 4th I’ll be returning with both my sons.