Creation of East Humber Headwaters Park in King advances

Province, township and conservation authorities will work together on moraine site

Yorkregion.com
May 6, 2021

The Ontario government has included the creation of a park in King in its most recent budget.

The East Humber Headwaters Park is expected to be built on the Oak Ridges Moraine and could provide a link between the eastern and western ends of the moraine and include the headwaters of the East Humber River.

MPP for King-Vaughan Stephen Lecce is pushing to advance the creation of the park.

“I will be bringing a consultation together with the township, community members and conservation authorities on the future development of the East Humber Headwaters Park -- a priority for our government and the King community. I am fully committed to the protection of our natural environment and seeing conservation and parks expanded across King and Vaughan, leaving a legacy for the next generation. I will continue working with all partners to get this done,” Lecce said in a statement.

The park is expected to be created on over 500 acres of vacant land sitting on the Oak Ridges Moraine with much of the landscape to be restored to its natural state, providing green space for public use.

“Families in King and Vaughan are incredibly proud of the natural beauty of the Oak Ridges Moraine, and I am committed to advancing the expansion and protection of our green spaces,” Lecce said. “We are taking action to protect Ontario’s pristine natural environment by working to create the East Humber Headwaters Park for families to enjoy now and for future generations.”

The expansion and protection of the land would create one of the largest parks near an urban centre in Canada and would give King Township a position of leadership in conservation.

Lecce said he will work with King council, conservation authorities and the Ministry of Municipal affairs to support the progress and delivery of the park.

Bruce Craig, a member of the Concerned Citizens of King Township, said he’s pleased with the plans for the park.

“I’m very excited about the idea of creating a park on that land,” Craig said. “I know it’s an important connector with the moraine through a central part of York Region.”

Craig is happy to see the land used as a park and corridor.

“I’m very enthused about just the idea of this being set aside as permanent park land and the idea of restoring a whole bunch of it. I know a lot of it right now is farmland,” he said.

The use of the park for future generations is important, Craig said.

“In many ways, it could be sort of a regional central park with public access to it. I think the population is growing and we’re recognizing the need to be outdoors and experience creation and nature -- it’s good,” Craig said.