Conservation lands donation to triple the size of Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park

A provincial park in Uxbridge less than five months old has now nearly tripled in size, thanks to a gift of more than 3,800 acres of conservation land from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

The land transfer – for the nominal price of $2 – to the brand-new Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park comes from the belief the lands will be “better protected” from the “large-scale growth and development pressures” facing the GTA inside a provincial park than in TRCA hands.

The Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park was established July 1 in a non-traditional fashion. Instead of one large block of land as is usually the case with any park, the Uxbridge park is made up of individual parcels of provincially owned lands in the Uxbridge area. And while they’re not all connected today, it’s possible they might be linked by other lands, recreational areas, and trail systems in the future, allowing users to hike or bike all the way from Lake Ontario to Uxbridge and beyond.

The new additions from the TRCA continue that theme with 39 different parcels of land declared surplus by the conservation authority October 20. Ontario Park worked with the TRCA to identify the lands that “would fit nicely” with the vision of the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park.

It is likely the transfer would take place over a couple of years.

TRCA lands to be donated to Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park

The goal, according to Ontario Parks Operations Director Jason Travers, is to create “natural trail connections” from Uxbridge to other parts of the region and with the Rouge National Urban Park, which itself was the beneficiary of a gift of nearly 300 acres recently from the TRCA.

The park, which sits on the Oak Ridges Moraine, would provide opportunities for users to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, including hiking and birdwatching, while strengthening the long-term protection and health of local wildlife.

“The Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is an incredibly exciting addition to our community,” said Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton, who thanked the Province in July for its efforts “to expand conservation protections and add assets to our local and regional trail network.”

The rest of the park is comprised mostly of provincially owned land north-east of Rouge Park, which straddles the border of Toronto, Pickering and Uxbridge, but the entire study area – more than 27,000 acres in size – also includes the Durham Regional Forest, a nearly 1,500-acre mixed wood and conifer forest area owned by the Region and a possible 300-acre plot of land owned by Uxbridge Township.

“The creation of Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is built on a legacy of conservation, natural, and cultural heritage protection,” Ontario Parks said in a news release in the summer announcing the opening of the park. “We aim to provide recreational opportunities, connect communities, and benefit people from local communities and across Ontario.”

The development of the urban park is part of a bigger plan to build provincial parks closer to where people live.

“With 83 per cent of Ontario’s growing population located in urban centres, it’s imperative that we build more provincial parks closer to home,” Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Andrea Khanjin said. “The establishment of the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park marks a significant step in our government’s commitment to expand our park system.”

Uxbridge is nicknamed the ‘Trail Capital of Canada’ and features more than 220 kilometres of managed trails that wind through forest, wetlands, meadows and historic villages. In addition to access to the area’s natural wonders, the park will also contribute to scientific research and environmental monitoring.

“These lands are situated on an ecologically important and gorgeous section of the Oak Ridges Moraine (and) are near major urban centres in the GTA and perfect for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing,” said Barton at the park’s opening. “I am so proud to be part of the team acting to protect and conserve this unique habitat and greenspace and I am excited for the recreation and tourism benefits this brings to the Township.”