You’re Invited: Celebrate Ontario’s Rouge Days June 7-16 & Kickoff Event 2012

This video presents The Rouge Park:

  • A quick tour of a small portion of the Rouge Park.
  • The Rouge Park is on the eastern border of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • It is the largest urban park in North America.

Rouge Days Kick-Off

@ Markham Museum

FREE (Pre-Registration Required)

Open to the General Public, Aged 19 and Over

Thursday, June 7, 2012

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Markham Museum
 9350 Markham Rd
Markham, Ontario, Canada L3P 3J3

Telephone: 905-294-4576
rougedays@trca.on.ca

Celebrate Rouge Days: 10 Terrific Activities

FREE

Donations Will Be Appreciated

Registration Required for Each Activity

June 8 – 16, 2012

Rouge Days is a celebration of the cultural, recreational and natural heritage in the Rouge River Watershed.

Above, Toronto and Region Conservation Map of Rouge River Watershed
Above, Toronto and Region Conservation Map of Rouge River Watershed

As an extraordinary resource in Southern Ontario, the Rouge River watershed:

  • spans 336 km2 of land and water in
    • York Region
    • Durham Region
    • City of Toronto
    • City of Pickering
    • Towns of:
      • Markham
      • Richmond Hill
      • Whitchurch Stouffville
  • includes all the lands that drain to the Rouge River and its tributaries, including the Little Rouge River, starting in the hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine and flowing south to Lake Ontario
    • land use today is approximately
      • 40% rural – agriculture
      • 35% urban
      • 24% natural cover – forest/wetland/meadow
      • 1% open water – watercourses/waterbodies
  • also includes 41 km2 Rouge Park which:
    • is Canada’s premier urban wilderness park (as depicted above by the dark green area on the Toronto and Region Conservation map of Rouge River Watershed)
    • is the largest urban park in North America
    • protects 41 km2 of the watershed
    • encompasses major stretches of rivers, creeks, forests, meadows and agricultural lands
    • is managed by the multi-stakeholder Rouge Park Alliance “with a vision to ensure that the Park remains a sanctuary for nature and the human spirit“
  • has wonderful landscapes for you to enjoy in and near Toronto, Canada’s largest city:
    • hiking
    • camping
    • a sandy beach
    • spectacular views

On 7 June 2012, come celebrate the Annual Rouge Days at Markham Museum and enjoy:

  • live music
  • great food
  • a glass of local wine
  • exploring the south gallery with its new history of Markham exhibit
  • meeting the Blacksmith busy at work
  • touring the on-site gardens and take home a native plant
  • learning how to keep our “Great Lakes Great”
  • networking with the diverse group of people working on environmental efforts within the Rouge River watershed

This event is made possible through the generous support of AECOM.

  • Tours at 5 p.m. & 6 p.m.
  • Welcoming remarks at 7 p.m.
  • To R.S.V.P for the Rouge Days Kickoff Event, please call 905-477-5530
  • The event is open to the general public, aged 19 and over.
    • Admission is free but pre-registration is required.
    • To register, please call the Markham contact centre at 905-477-5530.
    • Event Organizer: Rouge Park with Markham Museum
      Telephone: 905-294-4576
      Email Contact: rougedays@trca.on.ca
      Website Address: www.rougedays.ca

Rouge Days will be returning for it’s 4th year from June 7th- June 16th!

Here is an itinerary of the FREE family-friendly activities, hands-on demonstrations, nature hikes, tree planting and much more on Rouge Days:

FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH

Naturalist for a Day
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Willowgrove Outdoor Education Centre

  • Become a naturalist for the day!
  • Your family will travel through the various habitats on our 100 acre property to explore the plants and animals that live here.
    • Wade in the stream to identify invertebrates and creatures
    • Dip a net in the pond to classify living things
    • Use our tree guides to survey our woodlot
  • The day will be hands-on, educational and FUN!
  • Please bring your lunch to eat around the campfire – they will provide the s’mores!
  • Please pre-register your family so they can provide the appropriate resources required to make an awesome day!

Night Prowl
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. @ Rouge Park

  • Night in Rouge Park has its own sounds and action.
    • Let’s immerse ourselves in the nocturnal world and find out what it’s like to live at night!
  • Bring 1 litre of water (try a reusable bottle) and a snack.
  • Kids 8+ welcome.
  • Sorry, no dogs on this walk.
  • Registration required – space limited to 20. Please visit www.rougepark.com/hike  to register, or call them Monday to Thursday at (905) 713-3184.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9TH

Walking with the Wee Ones
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. @ Rouge Park

  • Learn from parents of 2 youngsters the tips and tricks of walking with the wee ones.
  • Good planning, spontaneity and imagination all combine to create a happy family outing.
  • Not just for parents and caregivers: all welcome!
  • Bring 1 litre of water (try a reusable bottle) and a snack.
  • Kids on foot and in carriers welcome.
  • Dogs on leash welcome.
  • Registration required.
  • Meet at 19 Reesor Road,  south of Steeles Ave East.
    • Free parking on site.

Bulk Up Your Soil
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. @ Phyllis Rawlinson Park

  • Learn everything you need to know about backyard composting, nature’s own fertilizer and soil conditioner.
  • They will teach you how to make your own batch of compost tea – a natural energy drink for your garden that will build soil quality and fuel plant growth!
  • Registration is FREE but required as space is limited – to register contact Mildred Ho at 416-596-1495×303 or email mho@evergreen.ca

Western Gateway Habitat Creation
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. @ Western Gateway, Pickering

  • Enjoy the scenic views of the Rouge River and Lake Ontario while helping the wildlife that calls this spectacular area home.
  • Join the family friendly activities stationed along the waterfront trail including
    • bird box building
    • planting a wildflower
    • or creating pollinator habitat to take home
  • The Western Gateway is located in south Pickering, along Bella Vista Drive.
    • Follow Rosebank Road south over the train tracks, turn right onto Bella Vista Drive.
    • For more information, please contact Michelle Pearce at 905-420-4660 ext. 2043 or email mpearce@pickering.ca.

End of Spring, Start of Summer
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. @ Cedar Trail, Rouge Park

  • Let’s say good bye to Spring and welcome Summer!
    • Perfect for new hikers, a light walk exploring all the beauty that Rouge Park has to offer.
  • Bring 1 litre of water (try a reusable bottle) and a snack.
  • Older kids on foot and younger ones in carriers welcome.
  • Dogs on leash welcome.
  • Registration required.

Rouge Park Volunteer Information Walk
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. @ Beare Wetlands, Rouge Park

  • The Rouge Park volunteer trail team is looking for new members!
  •  If you are curious, or have applied to join, come out for a walk to learn more about the volunteer roles in the team, and enjoy the Beare Wetlands at the same time.
  • Just want to come for the walk? Join them!
  • Bring 1 litre of water (try a reusable bottle) and a snack.
  • Kids on foot or in carriers welcome.
  • Sorry, no dogs.

SUNDAY, JUNE 10TH

Family Nature Walk
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. @ Beare Wetlands, Rouge Park

  • Bring a note pad, a camera, binoculars and your curiosity.
  • Today’s walk will make a friendly inventory of as many things as we can identify.
    • Bring more than 1 sheet of paper, there’s lots to list!
  • Bring 1 litre of water (try a reusable bottle) and a snack.
  • Kids on foot or young ones in carriers welcome.
  • Dogs on leash welcome.

Underwater Lives of the Rouge
10 a.m. @ Rouge Valley Conservation Centre

  • Join Citizen Scientists to learn about aquatic life in the Rouge River and what these organisms tell us about the health and function of our landscape.
  • Registration is FREE but required as space is limited – please register by June 8th.
    • To register, please send contact information and the number of people attending to info@rvcc.ca.

Nature Adventure
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. @ Orchard Trail, Rouge Park

  • Summer is around the corner and Rouge Park is brimming with life.
    Let’s explore the park to find flourishing flowers, lush trees, singing birds and all other creatures living in the park.
  • Bring 1 litre of water (try a reusable bottle) and a snack.
  • Kids on foot or in carriers welcome.
  • Dogs on leash welcome.
  •  Registration required.

For more details and instructions regarding the above events, please click here.

Contact: rougedays@trca.on.ca

 Enjoy!

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