Our team attended the launch of construction for the Rouge National Urban Park (RNUP) Visitor, Learning, and Community Centre in Toronto yesterday. The ground breaking coincided with the Government of Canada announcement of its intent to transfer the administration of lands with high conservation value from Transport Canada’s Pickering Lands to be included in Rouge National Urban Park. This important addition of land would boost park conservation.

The centre will serve as the park’s primary orientation, learning, and events facility where visitors can learn about the Rouge’s Indigenous, natural, cultural, and agricultural heritage. As the first visitor centre for this park, Parks Canada Agency wanted to create a building that spoke to the spirit and uniqueness of this region, providing a gateway for the millions of Canadians who visit this area each year.

“Today is a milestone moment in the history of Rouge National Urban Park. We are taking action for everyone who, over 50 years of activism, advocated to properly conserve some of the Pickering Lands slated for an airport. We will engage with Indigenous partners and the public on this important land transfer to Rouge National Urban Park. Visitors can also be excited about a brand-new $21 million visitor centre that will be their gateway into the park. All of this will provide increased opportunities for visitors to Rouge National Urban Park to engage with the outdoors and discover more about the diverse forests, wetlands, meadows, and ecosystems found here.” – Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Learn more about this project here.