For just over a year now, we’ve been working away on a proposal to create a new provincial park in the Township of Uxbridge.
We’re thrilled to announce that as of July 1, 2024, Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park will be established under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA)!
The park is located on lands — now known as Uxbridge — that have been occupied and used by many nations including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples in an area covered by the 1787 Johnson-Butler Purchase, also known as the Gunshot Treaty and the 1923 Williams Treaties.
What makes this park different?
When you imagine the typical provincial park, you imagine a single, connected natural area. It might follow a river, it might be a big central block of forest, but it’s all one big piece.
Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is a little different.
Instead of a single connected block, the park is made up of individual parcels of lands within 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.
Imagine hiking or biking from Lake Ontario up to Uxbridge and other local communities, maybe even further, all through natural areas!
The creation of Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is built on a legacy of conservation, natural, and cultural heritage protection. We aim to provide recreational opportunities, connect communities, and benefit people from local communities and across Ontario.
We’re hoping that opportunities for recreation and access to nature will inspire visitors and residents alike to explore the local landscape and learn more about the beautiful area of Uxbridge.
Feedback and findings
We have been so pleased with the overwhelming response we received to the idea of creating a new provincial park in the Uxbridge area, with more than 4,300 responses submitted to the survey and proposal.
We’ve received so much wonderful positive support for the idea of creating this new provincial park from the public, stakeholders, and Indigenous communities.
Not only are these lands located within rapidly growing urban areas, but they are also significant because they are within the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Through preliminary assessments of the properties, we found some very exciting values, including several unique types of natural spaces that need protection. There are important wetland areas, sand barrens, and older-growth forest, as well as significant features including species at risk, and a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.
This area is also very important for contributing to watershed protection and connecting wildlife habitat.
There is much more information gathering and assessment work to do!
Many thanks to our incredible partners!
We have been working closely with our partners — Township of Uxbridge, The Regional Municipality of Durham, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, The Schad Foundation, and Green Durham Association — to identify the full recreational and protection potential of an urban provincial park in this area and opportunities for growth in the future.
Over time, we plan to work towards expanding the park boundary to protect more lands and create greater connection; land connections to facilitate animal and plant movement and trail connections to provide linages to existing trail networks, including the Oak Ridges Trail, Trans-Canada Trail, and other trails and recreational areas.
We are working with the Township of Uxbridge, The Regional Municipality of Durham, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and other private landowners on identifying what lands could be added to the park.
Any future proposals for boundary amendments to Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park will include public and Indigenous community consultation.
What’s next: park management planning
At this time, we are offering limited interim operations at the park while we begin work on developing a park management plan. The final approved management plan guides protection, land uses and recreational opportunities.
Once a park management plan is finalized, we will take a gradual and phased approach to park operations and any new park development.
The idea of creating a new provincial park takes a whole lot of careful thought and planning.
As part of that process, we will continue to conduct site assessments and evaluations to gather as much information as possible about the ecological values, pressures on those values, significant features, ecological conditions, and current uses.
We will continue to engage and work with Indigenous communities along the way.
Is this a space we can visit?
As of July 1, 2024, limited park operations will be available while we conduct the park management planning process.
If you’re thinking of visiting the park, read this blog so you can be prepared.
Stay up to date!
Check our project page for updates.
