The federal government is investing $9.47M in improvements at Rouge National Urban Park in Scarborough, including new trails, ecological restoration, and infrastructure upgrades.
Federal Government Invests $9.47 Million in Rouge National Urban Park Improvements
Federal government officials announced a $9.47 million investment for improvements at Rouge National Urban Park, located at the Scarborough and Pickering border.
Details of the Project
The project will include several key elements:
| Improvement | Description |
|---|---|
| New Trail | Building a 2.3-kilometre accessible trail connecting Rouge Beach and Mast Trail |
| Ecological Restoration | Conducting restoration in Rouge Marsh |
| Washroom Facility | Constructing a new and permanent washroom building |
| Parking Improvements | Improving parking at the upper beach area |
| New Park Entrance | Creating an accessible ramp to the beach, marsh, and southern trailhead |
| Parking Lot Decommissioning | Decommissioning and renaturalizing the parking lot by the lower beach |
Officials noted that elevated boardwalks and bridges will protect wetlands and provide safer access to the beach and marsh areas.
Visitor Education Centre and Access Closure
Another project in the park is the creation of a new visitor education centre. A bulletin on the Parks Canada website stated that access from Lawrence Avenue East will be blocked until sometime in 2027.
The bulletin explained, “Heavy construction activity, unstable ground conditions and the lack of safe access for emergency and service vehicles require a full closure of the entire area until work is complete.”
Officials acknowledged that this closure may frustrate visitors and local trail users. They emphasized the importance of this area for recreation, active transportation, and waterfront access.
Rouge National Urban Park covers approximately 79 square kilometres and is home to over 2,000 plant and animal species.
