Free guided walks - June schedule

Sunday, June 2

Shining Water

Enjoy a relaxing stroll in fresh air with Doug and explore the natural environment along Lake Ontario’s shoreline.

• Leaders: Doug, Carolyn
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Rouge Marsh Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 195 Rouge Hill Drive, Scarborough – lower parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Field to Forest Succession

Join Shawn in exploring some of the park's many examples of ecological succession and consider how the park's forests may change in the future.

• Leaders: Shawn, Feng
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 1867 Concession Road 2, Whitchurch-Stouffville – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Saturday, June 8

Heart and Sole in Nature

Going out into nature can have a surprising effect on your health. Join Peter on this walk to learn more!

• Leaders: Peter V., Susan, Anuka
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Xplorers: Searching for Spring

Hey kids ages 6-12 and their families! Join walk leader Marilyn on a spring scavenger hunt in search of webs, feathers and more!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Linda H.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Orchard Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, June 9

How it's Made: The Geological History of the Rouge

Join Brian as he explores the formation of the Rouge River Valley, highlighting surface features which tells fascinating stories.

• Leaders: Brian, Ompreet, David
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7450 Kingston Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Agriculture Past and Present

Rich in agricultural heritage, farms still operate in the Rouge today. Join Judy for a walk about farming past and present.

• Leaders: Judy, JoAnne
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Harvest Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham – parking lot
• Additional Parking: 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 10725 Reesor Road, Markham
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Saturday, June 15

Biodiversity in the Rouge

Join walk leader JoAnne as we learn about biodiversity: the different habitats, diverse flora and fauna in the park that are important in maintaining healthy ecosystems and preventing biodiversity loss.

• Leaders: JoAnne, Anne
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Cedar Trail and the Beare Wetlands Loop
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Rouge in Bloom

Rouge flowers are a remarkable sight! Join Marie and appreciate all the flowers in bloom this time of year.

• Leaders: Marie, Moaz
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Vista Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, June 16

Are Smart Phones that "Smart" as a Navigation Aid?

We all use our smart phones as GPS for maps, even as a compass... but what would you do if your battery died? Join Michael as he shares the benefits of having a good paper copy map.

• Leaders: Michael T., Richard
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Woodland Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 19 Reesor Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Conifers of the Rouge

Get to know the conifers that call Rouge National Urban Park home.

• Leaders: Stephen, Glenn B.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 10725 Reesor Road, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Additional Parking: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Thursday, June 20

Paws & Preserve: A Leash-Up Adventure in the Rouge

Join us for a special "Paws & Preserve" evening hike through the beautiful trails of the Rouge during Social PETworking month. This pet-friendly walk is designed not only for enjoyment, but also to spread awareness about the importance of keeping our furry friends on a leash.

• Leader: Markus
• Time: 5:30 pm
• Location: Cedar Trail and the Beare Wetlands Loop
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Saturday, June 22

River Meets Lake

Join walk leader Judy and enjoy beautiful Lake Ontario’s waterfront and Rouge Marsh, home to a diversity of wildlife.

• Leaders: Judy, Anne
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Rouge Marsh Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 195 Rouge Hill Drive, Scarborough – lower parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Summer Solstice

Plants and animals, including humans, adapt to long days and short nights this time of year. Learn about the challenges of adapting to longer periods of light and celebrations of summer solstice.

• Leaders: Katharina, Erik, Taleb
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, June 23

Spiders 101

Join walk leader Richard in search of spiders and webs. Learn about the role of spiders in the park's ecology.

• Leaders: Richard, Stephen
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Central Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham – parking lot
• Additional Parking: 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 10725 Reesor Road, Markham
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Rouge Discovery Trek

Lace up your shoes and join CK for a brisk 4 km/hr fitness walk in the Rouge, exploring its seasonal wonders while boosting your well-being. Remember to bring extra water!

• Leaders: CK, Michael T.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Saturday, June 29

Invasive Plants in the Rouge: Identification and Impact

Join Gary to discover and identify invasive plants in the Rouge using apps like iNaturalist, Seek, and PictureThis. Learn about their impact on the ecosystem and methods to mitigate their spread.

• Leaders: Gary, Geri
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly 

 

Rouge Farming

Join walk leader Marilyn to learn about the past, present and future of farming in the Rouge!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Linda G.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Harvest Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham – parking lot
• Additional Parking: 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 10725 Reesor Road, Markham
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, June 30

Restoration of Wetlands

Join Carolyn in exploring the diverse wildlife habitats that have been created through restoration efforts in the Rouge.

• Leaders: Carolyn, Doug, Sarah
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Beare Wetlands Loop
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only