August 27, 2019 Greater Toronto Area Parks Canada Agency
Nature is central to our identity as Canadians. For millions of Canadians living in the Greater Toronto Area, Rouge National Urban Park puts nature within easy reach.
Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, and the CEO of the Toronto Zoo, Dolf DeJong, announced a landmark agreement regarding the location of the future Rouge National Urban Park education and welcome centre. The government will also continue to support the Zoo's endangered species breeding facilities.
Minister McKenna and Mr. DeJong were joined for today's announcement by Members of Parliament Gary Anandasangaree (Scarborough-Rouge Park) and John McKay (Scarborough-Guildwood); John Tory, City of Toronto Mayor; Jennifer McKelvie, City of Toronto Ward 25 Councillor, and Zoo Board member; as well as Indigenous and community partners.
The future Rouge National Urban Park education and welcome centre, which will be built on the lands currently operated as the Zoo's overflow parking lot 4, will be a learning and orientation facility where students, visitors, and residents can gather and learn about the Rouge's incredible natural, cultural, agricultural, and Indigenous heritage, as well as about Parks Canada's places across the country.
In addition, visitors will be able to access a new five-kilometre trail and two visitor areas as of September 23, 2019. The new family-friendly trail, which includes scenic lookouts and rest areas, weaves through marshlands, shaded woodlots and agricultural fields.
