A group known as Friends of the Rouge National Urban Park is lobbying the federal government to protect 9,300 acres of expropriated land by incorporating it into the existing Rouge National Urban Park, which would make it North America's largest urban park. The land, located in Pickering, Markham, and Uxbridge, was originally seized over 50 years ago for a second GTA airport—a plan that was permanently cancelled last year.
From Airport to Urban Park: A Happy Accident
Renowned urban designer Ken Greenberg, a spokesperson for the Friends of the Rouge, describes the freeing up of this expansive tract as "a happy accident." This accident would allow the park to "combine three things – nature, agriculture and community – into a great national urban park in a city region of seven million that’s probably going to get to 13 million" in coming years, Greenberg said.
The land includes "extraordinary natural features" such as the headwaters of Duffins Creek, woodlots, streams, watercourses, and hedgerows. It also contains "class one agricultural land, which is irreplaceable and in short supply," as well as historic communities like Brome, a village with roots dating back to the William Lyon Mackenzie rebellion of 1837, according to Greenberg.
Industrial Park Proposal Sparks Opposition
However, the City of Pickering has proposed carving out 1,900 acres of that land for an industrial park. Greenberg noted that Pickering Council formally voted in favour of this request despite the fact "residents were almost unanimously against it. So (the decision) seemed to fly in the face of their constituents."
Pickering already has an 800-acre Innovation Corridor that remains largely undeveloped. According to a report by Cushman and Wakefield, "demand for industrial space in the GTA has softened significantly, reaching an 11-year low." Despite these numbers, the Friends of the Rouge are taking the threat seriously and actively lobbying the Prime Minister and members of Parliament.
National Interest and Public Action
"Ultimately it’s the federal government making the decision," Greenberg said, "and we’re portraying this as a project of national interest." The group has initiated a letter-writing campaign through their website (www.thenewrouge.ca/take-action), where supporters can send pre-written letters to Prime Minister Carney and relevant ministers, including The Hon. Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
Greenberg argues that the choice is clear: "Throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe, there is so much land that has already been approved and serviced for development that would serve us for generations. And if you think of all the great national parks around the world, no one would ever say that they should have been turned over to development."
Mark Douglas Wessel, a sustainability advocate, contributed to this report.
