Proposed expansion aims to protect Oak Ridges Moraine lands while supporting tourism and recreation growth
The Ontario government is moving forward with plans to expand Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park by 23 acres as part of a broader effort to preserve environmentally significant lands and improve access to outdoor recreation in fast-growing communities across the Greater Toronto Area.
The proposed addition, announced Thursday by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, would add approximately 23 acres of land — roughly the size of 12 Canadian football fields — to the park’s northern boundary. Provincial officials say the expansion would help protect ecologically important grassland habitat within the Oak Ridges Moraine while strengthening tourism and economic opportunities in the Uxbridge region.
“We want Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park to be a place where families and future generations can connect with nature close to home,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Expanding parks and protected areas helps preserve more green space, supports active and healthy communities, and boosts local tourism and jobs.”
The additional lands were recently transferred to the province by Metrolinx and are expected to improve connectivity between the park and the Town of Uxbridge. The province said potential future uses include expanded trail networks and the development of a parking area to support sustainable outdoor recreation activities such as hiking.
Expansion builds on Ontario’s urban parks investment
Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park officially opened to the public on July 1, 2024, becoming Ontario’s first urban provincial park. The proposed land expansion marks another phase in the province’s three-year, $19-million investment in the park, covering planning, consultations, operations, and future development initiatives.
The ministry said public consultation and additional planning work will be undertaken before the lands are formally incorporated into the park boundary. Site-specific policies will also be developed to guide long-term management of the expanded area.
Provincial officials say the project aligns with Ontario’s broader strategy to expand urban provincial parks in communities experiencing rapid population growth and increased demand for accessible greenspace.
Tourism and economic impact highlighted by local leaders
Government and municipal leaders say the expansion is expected to strengthen the region’s tourism economy while reinforcing Uxbridge’s reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation.
“Each milestone in the expansion of Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park reflects not only a commitment to conservation, but a continuation of the Township’s legacy as the ‘Trail Capital of Canada’,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering-Uxbridge. “These investments strengthen tourism, create jobs, and fuel sustainable economic growth, ensuring the park remains both an environmental treasure and a vibrant engine for the community’s prosperity.”
The park currently offers year-round self-guided recreation, including hiking and cycling across 16 kilometres of free-use trails. In December 2025, the site was reclassified as an urban class provincial park to improve access to nature-based recreation closer to urban centres.
Located approximately 50 kilometres northeast of downtown Toronto and 40 kilometres northwest of Oshawa, the park has become one of the most accessible provincial parks for residents throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton said the continued development of the park is already contributing to increased visitation and local business activity.
“Uxbridge is becoming the playground of the GTA, and this is another huge step forward in building the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park. We are incredibly grateful to the Province of Ontario and our partners for turning lands once hidden behind ‘No Trespassing’ signs into spaces where families can hike, bike, explore and connect with nature. Every new trail and park expansion brings more visitors into Uxbridge to discover our trails, support our downtown businesses, restaurants and shops, and experience everything that makes our community special.”
Collaboration central to park expansion efforts
The proposed expansion is the result of collaboration between the province and several organizations involved in the Uxbridge Partners’ Network, including the Township of Uxbridge, Durham Region, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, The Schad Foundation, and Green Durham Association.
The initiative also received support and input from Ontario’s Urban Parks Conservation Working Group, a multi-sector advisory body representing municipal governments, conservation organizations, tourism groups, and industry stakeholders.
“This proposed expansion reflects the strong collaboration and shared vision that emerged through Ontario’s Urban Parks Conservation Working Group,” said Mike Hendren, Executive Director, Ontario Conservation Accelerator and Chair of the Urban Parks Conservation Working Group. “With 80 per cent of Ontarians saying that parks and greenspaces are important to them, Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is demonstrating how urban parks can protect important natural heritage while creating more opportunities for people to connect with nature close to home. It is encouraging to see governments, conservation organizations, municipalities, the philanthropic community and community partners working together to expand accessible green spaces that will support biodiversity, recreation, and community wellbeing for generations to come.”
To mark the latest phase of development, Ontario Parks also unveiled the official Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park crest. The crest features themes tied to accessible trails, coniferous forests, and the Uxbridge skyline, continuing a long-standing tradition among park visitors who collect official crests from parks across the province.