​Amendment to Ontario Regulation 316/07 under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 to expand the boundary of Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park

Ontario continues to make progress on its commitment to provide families with more opportunities to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, including exploring ways to improve access to greenspaces within our world-class provincial park system throughout the province.

To support this commitment, we are proposing to expand Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park through the recent acquisition of a 9.4 hectare parcel of land adjacent to the park’s northern boundary.

Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is a 1,350 acre (532 hectare) urban class park situated in the Township of Uxbridge, 25 kilometres east of Newmarket and 50 kilometres northeast of Toronto.

Located on the Oak Ridges Moraine, a significant landform in southern Ontario, Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park protects land that is important for ecological and recreational connectivity. The park provides long-term protection of biodiversity and important habitat for species at risk while providing opportunities for ecologically sustainable recreation activities, such as hiking and cycling.

The proposed park addition would contribute to the long‑term protection of natural heritage features. Its location would strengthen the connection with the Town of Uxbridge by regulating lands near existing trails and adjacent commercial areas, while also creating an opportunity to address operational challenges related to park access.

Proposed changes to PPCRA regulations

To expand this provincial park, we are proposing to amend Ontario Regulation 316/07: Designation and Classification of Provincial Parks under the PPCRA. This amendment would update Column 2: Land Set Aside in Table 1: Provincial Parks of Ontario of the regulation by adding the proposed new area to the description of the park’s boundary.

If the lands are regulated as provincial park, permitted uses would be determined through the concurrently proposed amendment to the park management plan (026-0391). Industrial and some commercial uses would be restricted in these areas.

Regulatory Impact Analysis

The ministry does not anticipate any new costs to regulated entities resulting from the regulation of these new lands under the PPCRA. The proposal offers significant benefits, including permanent protection of sensitive habitat and access to environmentally sustainable recreational activities.

Changes to the boundary of a provincial park can only be made through an amendment to O. Reg. 316/07.

Other opportunities for public consultation

Indigenous communities and contacts on the project mailing list, including adjacent landowners and stakeholders, will be notified directly of the proposed regulation amendment.