Rouge Park
[  Suggest an Update |  Volunteer Opportunities |  Suggest Volunteer Opportunity ]
Record #: AUR0013 Last Modified: 23 Apr 2012 Last Full Update: 23 Apr 2012
Record Details
Areas ServedGreater Toronto Area
Address & Map
50 Bloomington Rd W
Aurora, ON L4G 3G8
 
View Google Map
Address NotesAurora is location of main office
Mailing Address50 Bloomington Rd W 
Aurora, ON L4G 3G8
Major IntersectionYonge Street and Bloomington Road West
Office Phone905-713-6038
Fax905-713-6028
E-Mailrougepark@rougepark.com
Websitewww.rougepark.com
DescriptionWhat is Rouge Park? 
Rouge Park is a 47 square km unique partnership park protecting a wilderness setting near Toronto, Canada's largest city. It contains some of the largest and best examples of meadow, interior forest habitat and coastal wetlands in the Greater Toronto Area. In response to public concerns about the natural environment in the area, the Province of Ontario announced its intent to create a park in the Rouge River valley in 1990. In 1994, the Rouge Park Management Plan was approved by the Province and in April 1995 Rouge Park was launched and the Rouge Park Alliance established as the decision-making body for the Park. 
 
 
Where is Rouge Park? 
The Rouge River watershed is roughly 337 square km, located in the eastern end of Toronto and York Region, Ontario. Parts of the watershed and park also occur in western Pickering.  
 
The Rouge River system is over 250 km long. From the headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine, to the marshes at Rouge Beach where the river empties into Lake Ontario, the roughly 38 square km natural environment park provides high quality wildlife habitat in the highly populated Greater Toronto Area. The part of the park south of Steeles Avenue is a triangular block; north of Steeles, the Park has a linear form, following the stream and valley corridors with satellite day use areas in York Region. 
 
How big is this park? 
Rouge Park is now roughly 38 square km, reaching from the headwaters of the Rouge River system on the Oak Ridges Moraine, to the river's mouth at the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The addition of almost 1400 hectares of land donated by the Province of Ontario for Rouge Park purposes--an area six times the size of the Toronto Islands-in 2004 helps the Park to protect more wilderness habitat. These lands contribute to Rouge Park's status as one of the largest natural environment parks in an urban setting in North America. The Toronto area's Rouge Park is almost 15 times the size of New York City's Central Park, five times that of London, England's Hyde Park, or five times as big as Toronto's Downsview Park. 
 
How is Rouge Park Managed? 
The partners of the Rouge Park Alliance manage the Rouge Park lands in accordance with the 1994 Rouge Park Management Plan for the portion of the Park south of Steeles Avenue. In March 2001, the Alliance approved the Rouge North Management Plan for the portion of the Park north of Steeles Avenue. The Region of York and the Towns of Markham, Richmond Hill and Whitchurch-Stouffville are currently implementing the plan and must revise their respective Official Plans before the Rouge North Management Plan can take effect. 
 
Who manages Rouge Park? 
Rouge Park is unique not only because of its special geological, ecological and cultural heritage features, but also because it is a partnership park, with land and funds from the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, municipal governments and other agencies. The Rouge Park Alliance is the multilateral decision-making body which manages Rouge Park. 
 
Rouge Park Vision 
Rouge Park will be a special place of outstanding natural features and diverse cultural heritage in an urban-rural setting, protected and flourishing as an ecosystem in perpetuity. Human activities will exist in harmony with the natural values of the Park. The Park will be a sanctuary for nature and the human spirit. 
 
Rouge Park Goal 
To protect, restore and enhance the natural, scenic and cultural values of the park in an ecosystem context, and to promote public responsibility, understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of this heritage.
DatesOffices closed: statutory holidays and government holidays.
HoursPark office: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm 
Rouge Park is open year round. Certain public use areas have restricted access/operating hours and admission or user fees. Please call the Park or visit web site for more info.
AccessibilityPartially Accessible - wheelchair accessible
LanguagesEnglish
FeesAdmission - Fees vary with public use location and facility
MeetingsRouge Park Alliance, management board for the Park, meets approximately 6 times per year. Meetings are open to the general public.
FundingRouge Park received start-up funding from the federal government in 1995. Revenue generated from this trust fund is used for operations. Rouge Park Alliance partners contribute resources to help fulfill park objectives.
SubjectsEnvironment ; Outdoor activities ; Parks ; Recreation ; Recreational activities ; Recreational facilities
Primary ContactMichelle Holmes, Manager, Visitor Experience, Rouge Park; Phone: 905-713-6038; Email: rougepark@rougepark.com
Alternate ContactDoreen McCarty, Administrative Coordinator, Rouge Park; Phone: 905-713 6038