You’re Invited: Rouge Park Guided Walks Feb.25, 26 & 29, 2012

Rouge Park is one of the world’s largest natural environment parks in an urban area as shown here:

Rouge Park is located in Toronto and York Region, in Ontario, Canada.

The Park stretches from the Oak Ridges Moraine in York Region all the way down to the Lake Ontario shores in Toronto, and is designated as part of the Ontario Greenbelt.

Did You Know?

• “Wild in the City! A wilderness area in Canada’s largest city? That’s right!
  • Not too far from the skyscrapers of downtown Toronto, urban dwellers can see a different landscape where historic farms, century-old trees, peaceful meadows and lush wetlands await you at your transit stop.
  • Rouge Park, protecting two National Historic Sites, is roughly 50 km north of Toronto.”

• Rouge Park is Canada’s premier urban wilderness park in Toronto, Ontario.
  • Rouge Park is Toronto’s largest park,
  • and is already 13 times as big as New York’s Central Park,
  • or 33 times the size of London, England’s Hyde Park.

• Over 47 km² (11,500 acres) in size, it is protected park land in the Rouge River, Petticoat Creek and Duffins Creek watersheds in the Toronto area of the Ontario Greenbelt.

• The headwaters, or source, of the 250 km-long Rouge River system are in the post-glacial Oak Ridges Moraine, an important geologic feature north of Toronto.

• The Rouge River and its tributaries flow south into Toronto, through the marshes at Rouge Beach, and empty into Lake Ontario.
  • You can visit the best remaining coastal wetlands in Toronto.

• A variety of sensitive ecosystems are protected in Rouge Park.
  • Rouge Park has the largest and best examples of Canada’s rare Carolinian habitat in Toronto and is the only officially recognized site in the Toronto area.

So, have an urban wilderness adventure and learn more about nature and wildlife in Rouge Park!

Make sure you bring binoculars and camera, water and snacks.

Rouge Park Alliance offers the following FREE Rouge Park Guided Walks in February 2012:

“Guided walks are FREE, but your support keeps us going! If you enjoy coming out with us on the trail, show your appreciation with a contribution.“

Please click here to get the Rouge Park Visitor Guide and your trail guide.

9:30am Woodland
5km
Meeting Point TTC and Parking info
Leader: Gord
Challenge: Easy/Moderate
Pace: Easy/Moderate
Duration: 2 hours
What to expect: “What’s happening to the trees, vegetation, animals, and how are they all making it through the cold? We hope to see evidence of coyote and deer and possibly rabbit and field mice, and to see and hear the winter birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees – and anything else that may be surviving the winter in the park.”
Please RSVP
Family Friendly: Kids on foot and in carriers welcome.
Dog Friendly?: We have other walks for your dog today.
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Winter Fitness

12:00pm Orchard
5km
Meeting Point TTC and Parking info
Leader: Erick
Challenge: Moderate
Pace: Moderate
Duration: 2 hours
What to expect: “Join Erick for an afternoon exercise! This will be a faster than usual pace, but we always stop if something catches our collective eye. If you want to tackle this trail more slowly, please look for a different walk.”
Please RSVP
Family Friendly: Adults only.
Dog Friendly?: Dogs on leash welcome.
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Reflections

2:00pm Cedar
5km
Meeting Point TTC and Parking info
Leader: Michele
Challenge: Easy-Moderate
Pace: Easy-Moderate
Duration: 2 hours
What to expect: Today marks my one-year anniversary of discovering Rouge Park and starting my Hike Leader adventure. Please join me on a walk of reflecting on those things we’ve accomplished and new goals. This walk will includes stops along the trails for some light breathing/stretching exercises to really clear and focus our minds.
Please RSVP
Family Friendly: Kids on foot or in carriers welcome.
Dog Friendly?: Dogs on leash welcome.
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Hoot and Howl

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm  Special Event!
Location: Meet at Rouge Valley Mennonite Church, 7452 Reesor Rd Markham, ON L6B 1A8
What to expect: “It’s the 3rd annual Hoot and Howl! Join us for a night of fun and adventure! A short presentation on owls and coyotes is followed by a hike into Rouge Park and together we will call out to these wild creatures in the hope that they will “hoot” and “howl” back. Dress warmly and bring a travel mug for hot chocolate.

Advanced registration is required as space is limited!
The event is FREE, however a contribution of $5.00 is welcomed that will go towards Rouge Park stewardship programming.

If you would like to participate please contact Sheryl Santos sheryl_santos@rougepark.com or call (905) 713-6007 .”
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Sunday February 26

Views and Vistas

9:30am Cedar
5km
Meeting Point TTC and Parking info
Leader: Marie
Challenge: Easy-Moderate
Pace: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
What to expect: “With much of the leaf canopy gone, we can appreciate the vast expanse of the park, awesome views of the Little Rouge River, and hidden treasures from the highest points on the trail. Bring your binoculars for some close-up views. Layer up and come out for a good cardio boost on the return part of the walk.”
Please RSVP
Family Friendly: Kids on foot and in carriers welcome.
Dog Friendly?: Please bring your dog another time.
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Traces in the Snow

12:00pm Cedar
5km
Meeting Point and Parking info
Leader: Radmila
Challenge: Easy/Moderate
Pace: Easy/Moderate
Duration: 2 hours
What to expect: “Crosslateral movement is the most common locomotion among earthly creatures. Walking stimulates the brain, both sensory awareness and mental capacity. While we take in the winter scenes around us, and see the traces of those other forest people, we will reflect on how we share the trail, and the world, with each other.”
Please RSVP
Family Friendly: Adults only.
Dog Friendly?: Please bring your dog on another walk today.
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Fabulous February!

2:00pm Woodland
5km
Meeting Point TTC and Parking info
Leader: Linda
Challenge: Easy/Moderate
Pace: Easy/Moderate
Duration: 2 hours
What to expect: “Come out for this fun and fabulous walk. Bring the family. And most of all, come prepared to say one fabulous thing in your life that you are thankful for or are looking foward to that you want share with the group. February is fabulous, life is fabulous.. let’s have some fabulous fun and think positive thoughts.”
Please RSVP
Family Friendly: Kids on foot or in carriers welcome.
Dog Friendly?: Dogs on leash welcome.
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Wednesday February 29

Leap Year Walk

9:30am Woodland
5km
Meeting Point TTC and Parking info
Leader: Bruce
Challenge: Moderate – Hilly
Pace: Easy/Moderate
Duration: 2 hours
What to expect: We only get February 29th every 4 years, so let’s make the most of this one. Who knows what we might see on our outing, in keeping with the unique day in calendar?
Please RSVP
Family Friendly: Energetic older children up for this pace and distance and wee ones in carriers are welcome.
Dog Friendly?: Dogs on leash welcome.
Cold Weather Walking: Tips for a warmer walk in colder temps!

Please click here for more info about Rouge Park Guided Walks.

 Contact Info:

Address	Rouge Park Office 50 Bloomington Road West, Aurora, Ontario Canada L4G 0L8
Phone:	(905)713-6038
Fax:	(905) 713-6028
Email:	rougepark@rougepark.com
Website	www.rougepark.com

Happy Walking in Rouge Park!

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