Monday, January 12, 2026
The government of Canada is awarding a $9.47 million contract to improve Rouge Beach and Marsh in Canada’s first national urban park.
Located in the Greater Toronto area, Rouge National Urban Park is an hour’s drive away from 20 per cent of the Canadian population and is accessible via transit, a government of Canada release said.
The investment focuses on habitat restoration, visitor facility improvement and enhanced accessibility during the park’s tenth anniversary year.
“Our government is committed to bringing nature closer to people, and Rouge National Urban Park is a perfect example of how nature can thrive right next to our cities. This federal investment in the park’s Beach Improvements Project will restore vital habitats, enhance the visitor experience and accessibility, and ensure the long-term sustainability of Canada’s first national urban park – keeping it a vibrant, healthy space for both wildlife and people alike,” federal minister of the environment climate change and nature Julie Dabrusin said.
Key elements of park revitalization include a new accessible 2.3-kilometre formalized trail Rouge Beach to Mast Trail, ecological restoration throughout Rouge Marsh and improvements to the upper beach parking area including a new permanent washroom facility.
An entrance will be improved with an accessible trailhead, beach and marsh and the lower beach parking lot will also be decommissioned and re-naturalized.
“Shaped through extensive Indigenous, public and stakeholder engagement led by Parks Canada, the Rouge Beach Improvements Project will feature elevated boardwalks and bridges to protect sensitive wetlands while providing safer access to the marsh and beach,” the release stated.
“It will restore degraded wetland and forest habitat, enhancing conditions for native species and species at risk and include measures to address shoreline erosion and flooding, all of which will support the long-term resilience and sustainability of this popular area for wildlife and visitors,” it added.
