Uxbridge to be home to Ontario’s newest provincial park
Posted April 22, 2023 2:15 pm.
Last Updated April 22, 2023 2:57 pm.
The Ford government says Uxbridge will be home to Ontario’s newest provincial park.
The park will be located in the Oak Ridges Moraine, calling it a “major step forward for conservation and biodiversity protection in Ontario.”
First announced in the 2023 budget, the proposed urban park may include up to 532 hectares of provincially owned lands which it claims will be 50 per cent larger than New York’s Central Park.
“Opening a new provincial park in Uxbridge would give families and people in the community new ways to enjoy the great outdoors all year around,” said Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, who is also MPP for Pickering—Uxbridge.
“These lands are situated on an ecologically important and gorgeous section of the Oak Ridges Moraine. They are near major urban centres in the GTA and perfect for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing,” said Uxbridge mayor Dave Barton.
The government says it will be conducting site assessments and evaluations over the next few months to determine the exact location of the park which may include the Durham Regional Forest, and a possible 120 hectares from the Township of Uxbridge. It is also promising consultation with Indigenous communities, the public, local stakeholders, partners and environmental organizations, before reaching a final decision.
