Free guided walks - September schedule

Sunday, September 1

Xplorers: Signs of Autumn

Join Marilyn on a scavenger hunt! Can you spot a nest that’s done its job? See insects “bedding down”? Can you differentiate between birds that overwinter in the Park or migrate south? Your family will enjoy discovering the world around you!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Linda H. 
• 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

 

Rouge in bloom

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

• Leaders: Marie, Ompreet
• 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: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Saturday, September 7

Fall migration

Fall migration is well underway! Join walk leader Glen to spot our southbound feathered friends. Bring your binoculars, download the free Merlin app, and check eBird/Rouge Park for recent sightings to enhance your bird-watching experience.

• Leaders: Glen H., Peter V.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Tanglwood 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Conifers of the Rouge

Get to know the conifers that call Rouge National Urban Park home. Delve into the fascinating world of these evergreens with us to explore their unique adaptations and vital roles within the ecosystem.

• Leaders: Stephen, Linda H.
• 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
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, September 8

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: 10 am
• 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: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults 
• Dog Friendly

 

Secrets of the forest

Come discover the hidden wonders of the Rouge as we take a close-up look at some of the unique trees, plants, and living creatures who call the Rouge home.

• Leaders: Linda G., Feng 
• 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

 

Saturday, September 14

Green Acres

Join Doug to marvel at the country scenes. Discuss the history of farming in the Rouge, its importance, and the future of local food.

• Leaders: Doug, Markus
• 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

 

Travelling seed

Join walk leader Judy on the trail to observe interesting ways plants transport their seeds from place to place! 

• Leaders: Judy, Susan
• 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
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, September 15

Fungi and mushrooms

Join Richard for a forest walk and enjoy the splendid varieties and abundance of fungi and mushrooms. 

• Leaders: Richard, Glenn B.
• Time: 10 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Hummingbirds

Did you know all 366 species of hummingbirds are native to the Western Hemisphere? Discover which species thrive in the Rouge and where they migrate to in the Fall. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Glen H., Erik
• Time: 1 pm
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Saturday, September 21

Ice, water and human hands

Discover the forces that formed the landscape we see today.  15,000 years of history in 2 hours with Stephen. 

• Leaders: Stephen, Markus
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Cedar Trail and 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

 

Need for green

Explore protected park lands with walk leader Doug and learn how Parks Canada restores, protects and preserves natural areas, and discuss what you can do to help. 

• Leaders: Doug, Katharina
• 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: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, September 22

Discovering Lake Ontario

Join Carolyn to explore how animal and humans have adapted to Lake Ontario's changing shoreline.

• Leaders: Carolyn, Marilyn
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Rouge Marsh Trail 
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 195 Rouge Hills Dr., Scarborough – lower parking lot  
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven 
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families 
• Service dogs only

 

Field to forest succession

Join Shawn in exploring some of the many examples of ecological transitions in the Park and ponder on how the park’s forests may change in the future.

• Leaders: Shawn, JoAnne
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tanglewood 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 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, September 29

Introduction to hiking

Always wanted to try hiking? Join walk leader Sarah to learn about the basics and all the great benefits that come with hiking. 

• Leaders: Sarah, Moaz
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Orchard 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: Adults 
• Service dogs only

 

Turtles: Nature’s ninjas! 

Families will enjoy exploring the Rouge to learn about the habits and habitats of one of the Park's elusive residents: the turtles.  

• Leaders: Marilyn, Glenn B. 
• Time: 1 pm
• 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: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only