The federal government has awarded a $9.47 million contract to restore habitats, improve visitor facilities, and enhance accessibility at Rouge Beach and Marsh in Rouge National Urban Park, a key natural area bordering Pickering and Toronto.
The investment marks a major milestone as the park celebrates its 10th anniversary. Rouge National Urban Park is Canada’s first national urban park and spans the Toronto–Pickering boundary.
The project will focus on several improvements, including:
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Construction of a new 2.3-kilometre accessible trail connecting Rouge Beach to the Mast Trail
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Ecological restoration throughout Rouge Marsh
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Upgrades to the upper beach parking area, including a permanent washroom facility
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A redesigned entrance with an accessible ramp leading to the beach and trailhead
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Decommissioning and naturalization of the lower beach parking lot
The contract was awarded to Greenspace Construction, a GTA-based environmental construction firm with experience in large-scale infrastructure projects.
Plans include the installation of elevated boardwalks and bridges to protect sensitive wetlands while allowing safe public access. Restoration work will focus on improving habitat for native species and species at risk, addressing shoreline erosion, and enhancing flood resilience.
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said the project reflects Parks Canada’s commitment to protecting nature while strengthening connections between communities and public green spaces.
“Our government is committed to bringing nature closer to people, and Rouge National Urban Park is a perfect example of how nature can thrive next to our cities,” she said.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough–Guildwood–Rouge Park, described the park as a “jewel” in the GTA, noting the project will create new connections between Lake Ontario and inland trail systems while protecting the landscape for future generations.
Rouge National Urban Park spans more than 79 square kilometres and is one of the largest urban parks in North America. It is home to over 2,000 plant and animal species, Indigenous heritage sites, working farms, and critical wetlands at the northern edge of the Carolinian forest zone.
To ensure safety during construction, Rouge Beach and Marsh are currently closed to the public.
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