The Macleod Estate Trail is now open! READ MORE.
table of contents
Amenities
- Washroom: No washroom facilities available.
- Waste: No waste bins available. Please carry out litter.
The Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve (ORCCR) is an important ecological linkage on the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Located in Richmond Hill, this 175-plus hectare property is dominated by mature forests, wetlands, meadows, kettle lakes, and a significant network of recreational trails.
Local residents and visitors can use ORCCR’s extensive trail system to enjoy the natural beauty of the area while protecting the integrity of the surrounding ecosystem.
The Macleod Estate Trail is Now Open!
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the City of Richmond Hill are pleased to announce that the Macleod Estate Trail Project is now completed.
This 800-metre multi-use trail winds past the iconic Drynoch Estate, seamlessly weaving through the heart of the Macleod’s Landing neighbourhood, establishing a vital connection to the Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve.
The trail not only promotes active transportation and recreation but also unveils a tapestry of cultural and natural heritage features that define our region.
The Drynoch Estate, recognized under the Ontario Heritage Act, is a living testament to our community’s storied past. This collaborative project is a celebration of our commitment to preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of our heritage.
The Macleod Estate Trail Project has been made possible through the generous support of Gordon and Patricia Gray of Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Project Information:
- Public Notice (uploaded January 26, 2023)
- Project Map (uploaded January 26, 2023)
Notes for ORCCR Visitors
- Public access is not permitted to the Chabad Lubavitch area at the Bond Lake trail head. Please obey signs about these restrictions.
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT PERMITTED:
- Boating / canoeing
- Fires and BBQs
- Swimming
- Fishing or ice fishing
- Harvesting / foraging
- Motorized vehicles / ATVs
- Picnicking
- Skating*
*To find safe local outdoor skating locations, visit the City of Richmond Hill online.
Community Parking Locations
- Bathurst Glen Golf Course -12481 Bathurst Street
- Grovewood Park – 0 Grovewood Street
- Bond Lake Trailhead – 12611 Yonge Street
- Ozark Park – 24 Antique Drive
- Old Colony Road Trailhead – 363-365 Old Colony Road
- Oak Ridges Community Centre – 12895 Bayview Avenue
- Lake Wilcox Water Park – Bethesda Side Road, West of Bayview Avenue
- Lake Wilcox Park – Olde Bayview Avenue
- Bethesda Side Road Trailhead – 999 Bethesda Side Road
Learn More About the Property
Scan the QR code above for the map, and use with the Avenza app to make our trails interactive with your smart phone’s GPS while at the park. Click for more details.
STAY SAFE! Stay on the trails you see on the map.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
VIDEO – Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve: Cultural History
MORE VIDEOS:
- Signs of Spring – WATCH VIDEO NOW
- Jefferson Salamander Habitat on the Oak Ridges Moraine – WATCH VIDEO NOW
- Fall Colours – WATCH VIDEO NOW
- Getting to Know the Bats of the Toronto Region – WATCH VIDEO NOW
NATIVE WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT PLANS
Two management plans guide TRCA’s management of the ORCCR and what uses are permitted:
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Meadow Restoration
Within the Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve, this meadow restoration project is creating habitat for local wildlife such as birds and pollinators, while also expanding on the recreational wildlife viewing for the local community.
Meadow restoration will be achieved here by converting 12 ha of old pasture (dominated by Reed Canary Grass, or Phalaris arundinacea), into a vibrant and diverse vegetation community that will provide nectar, wildflower seed, and insects for feeding, as well as taller grass areas for resting and nesting needs.
Areas of milkweed will help enhance Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) habitat, while perching poles and woody habitat structures offer more habitat diversity for raptors and small mammals.
Bayview Wetlands
In January 2021, TRCA completed a habitat restoration project in ORCCR to increase wetland cover and provide essential habitat opportunities for amphibians (salamanders, toads, and frogs), reptiles (turtles and snakes), and birds (songbirds and raptors). The project included four distinct wetland locations to capitalize on seasonal flows and existing drainage patterns. Due to the soil and flow patterns, these wetlands are designed and anticipated to dry up in mid to late summer, which is an important factor for breeding to many amphibians.
Woody habitat features were included throughout the sites to provide cover and additional habitat for small mammals such as foxes, voles, chipmunks, rabbits and more.
Jefferson Salamander Conservation
The Jefferson salamander is an endangered amphibian, and the ORCCR provides vital habitat for a breeding population — one of the last known populations in York Region. In spring 2021, TRCA partnered with York Region to implement nightly road closures along Stouffville Road to protect the salamander. In the past, Jefferson salamanders had experienced significant road mortality, as the population moved from one side of the road to the other during the mating season. Learn more about this unique project.
