• Rouge Park Comes to Markham
• David Crombie Receives 2003 Rouge Park Award

MarkhamAt its most recent meeting, the Town of Markham council voted unanimously to endorse the Official Plan Amendment required to make Rouge Park a reality in Markham. After a process of careful study and extensive public and stakeholder consultation, councillors were able to approve with confidence the recommended amendment to Markham’s most important planning framework.

Ron Christie, Chair of the Rouge Park Alliance, the management body of Rouge Park which was established in 1995, was pleased to see the outcome of the meeting. “We have worked closely with the Town of Markham to ensure that the Rouge North Management Plan was incorporated into the Official Plan in a progressive and environmentally-sound way,” reported Mr. Christie. “We are especially pleased that Markham is moving to secure the Little Rouge Creek corridor, which is one of the best examples of a healthy stream in the eastern GTA. Now we can be sure that it provides Rouge Park with a natural connection from the Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario.” A large part of Rouge Park in York Region will fall within the municipal boundaries of Markham, making the municipality’s support paramount to the Park’s long-term success.

The Town of Markham has shown great leadership in incorporating the park plan as an amendment to the official plan, an initiative which is unprecedented in Ontario. “We have learned a lot from this process. Our development of the OPA is a big achievement, not only for Markham, but for municipalities throughout Ontario who want to make great strides in protecting the natural environment,” said Ward 5 Councillor, Jack Heath, who represents Markham on the Rouge Park Alliance. “There is a strong implementation plan in place and we can be confident that we will see this ecologically significant park become a reality in our region over the next few years.”

To achieve this, similar support will be required from the other municipalities in the York Region section of Rouge Park, the Towns of Richmond Hill and Whitchurch-Stouffville. Markham’s Deputy Mayor, Regional Councillor Frank Scarpitti, represents the Region of York on the Rouge Park Alliance. He was instrumental in developing the comprehensive implementation document which provides a template for the other two municipalities to use in amending their official plans. “Our intent in this implementation strategy was to set a precedent in Markham that could be followed in Richmond Hill and Whitchurch-Stouffville. The Rouge Park Alliance gave us the challenge of setting the standard in Markham. We have met that challenge and now we are ready to work with our other municipal partners in York Region to move forward. When that process is complete, we will all see the ecological benefits and restored habitats of Rouge Park over the long term.”

With the help of this official plan amendment, Rouge Park will be one of the largest natural environment parks in an urban area in North America, over 50km , comprising marshes, forests and river environments.

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The Rouge Park Alliance, the partnership body which coordinates the management of Rouge Park, gave recognition to members of the community at an awards ceremony in Markham this evening. The Honourable David Crombie, former Toronto mayor and federal cabinet minister received the 2003 Rouge Park Award as recognition of his important role in the establishment of Rouge Park.

As early as the creation of the “Interim Report” of the Royal Commission on the Future of the Toronto Waterfront, Mr. Crombie, in his role as Commissioner, recommended the protection of the Rouge River watershed. Following approval and release of the 1994 Rouge Park Management Plan, the Province asked Mr. Crombie to develop a management structure and funding formula for the entity which would implement the Plan. His report was approved, and in 1995 the Rouge Park Alliance began its work.

As Chair of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, David Crombie was the trustee of the funds from the federal government which were designated for Rouge Park purposes. His advice and guidance during these formative years were invaluable in assisting the Rouge Park Alliance in its operations and utilization of the endowment funds.

“On a wide scale, David Crombie’s vision for a Greater Toronto Area bioregion, which includes the Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, the Oak Ridges Moraine and all of the watersheds in the GTA, has provided a basis for ecosystem planning throughout the region,“ observed Ron Christie, Chair of the Rouge Park Alliance when presenting the award. “This vision continues to provide a means for ecologists, planners, and others to consider ‘the big picture’ when developing plans. Our latest park management plan is no exception, it was created with similar goals in mind, thanks to the legacy left to us from David’s work over the years.”

“Those of us who have worked in the Rouge valley know that it’s a privilege, and it’s been my great privilege to be part of the movement to protect the Rouge as a park,” said David Crombie. “It is one of the most beautiful valleys in this part of North America. For many people in the Greater Toronto Area, it’s still undiscovered. Rouge Park is one of the best kept secrets in the Toronto area; it’s a jewel in the eastern GTA and I am proud that I’ve been part of protecting it for the future.”

The 6 annual Rouge Park Awards ceremony included congratulations th to 1999 Rouge Park Award winner, Lois James, for recently receiving the Order of Canada as recognition of her environmental activism over the past 30 years, largely concentrated in the Rouge. Awards of appreciation were given by Rouge Park to environmental restoration project leaders and private land owners from Markham, Richmond Hill, Toronto and Whitchurch- Stouffville. Awards were also given to local schools, teachers, and educational organizations for their efforts in teaching people of all ages about the natural environment in Rouge Park and beyond.

“Rouge Park has always relied on partnerships to help us achieve our ecological restoration, protection and enhancement goals,” said Mr. Christie. “The community members who continue to help us implement the park vision are one of our most valuable resources.”

Established in 1995, after years of citizen support for the protection of the Rouge River valley in Toronto, Rouge Park is one of North America’s largest natural environment parks in an urban setting.

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