Jim Robb, General Manager of the Friends of the Rouge Watershed, has been walking the Rouge for more than 50 years and has seen changes to the region that leave him wondering if the federal plan for Rouge Park will deliver.

He says the federal government can have wonderful plans but it’s all about implementing them. “It’s a difference between what you can promise and what you can deliver,” he said.

The Friends of the Rouge Watershed formed more than two decades ago with the goal of protecting, enhancing and restoring the ecosystem within Rouge Park. The group has commissioned multiple projects to preserve the Rouge and, just recently, they’ve built wetlands within the park.

Robb said progress has been made to sustain the park but more work is needed. He said things like trail management, stopping illegal dumping and the control of evasive species is essential in preserving the park.

He said the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement plan says that a healthy watershed with biodiversity has at least 30 per cent forest cover. The Rouge currently has 13 per cent, and nearby urban expansion could cause that number to drop.

“There needs to be a big push to increase the size of natural areas and to connect them within Rouge Park,” he said. “That will improve water quality, reduce flooding and erosion and improve biodiversity.”

Invasive species within the Rouge are also something Robb says he’s worried about. Some invasive species that are currently inhibiting the park are Garlic Mustard (flower), Dog-Strangling Vine (vine) and Phragmites (grass). These invasive species take over the land from native species and exclude them.

Wildlife crossings over roadways is another issues of concern. A lot of major roads currently run through the park, causing the movement of wildlife to be fragmented.

A few major roads running through the park include Lawrence Avenue (near Lake Ontario), Meadowvale Road (near the Toronto Zoo) and Steeles Avenue (in the north end of the park). Highway 407 and 401 also run through the park.

Building wildlife crossings will allow for wildlife to move more freely throughout the park. This will minimize the influence surrounding urban areas have on these species.

In the long run, Robb supports the idea of a national park if the plan prioritizes the protection of nature. He says in order for him to support a park plan key terms such as “enhance, restore and protect” need to be included in the legislation.

Friends of the Rouge Watershed has proposed multiple amendments to the legislation that aim to follow Robb’s ideal plan for a national park:

  • Prohibit adding new golf courses to the Rouge Valley
  • Set up committees of stakeholders connected to the park
  • Cleaner language throughout the bill
  • Ensure the manager documents reports regarding the condition of the park
  • Follow the values offered by other national parks
  • Add the term “enhance, protect and restore” to the legislation

Robb said he thinks the province should continue to hold out on the federal plan. “Parks are for centuries, let’s not let us regret this in the future,” he said in an interview.

“This is the biggest and last chance we have to protect this ecozone,” he added.