Toogood Pond, Unionville

Toogood Pond, Unionville

Attractions

By: Chelsea Edgell

Toogood Pond is one of the most beautiful features of Markham’s historic Unionville community. Neighbouring the Varley Art Gallery and scenic Unionville Main Street, the pond is part of Rouge Park, North America’s largest natural environment park in a natural setting.

The popular 33-hectare park, which features a marsh and a partially naturalized pond, is home to a variety of birds, animals, and waterfowl. Canadian geese and mallard ducks can often be seen gliding across the pond’s rippling green surface, and Eastern Cottontail rabbits abound. For humans, a walkway circles the pond and a meandering boardwalk cuts through the marsh, making Toogood Pond a popular spot for leisurely walks.

Open 24 hours a day and four seasons a year, Toogood Pond offers public skating in the winter and plays host to community events during the summer. The park is a major performance venue during Markham’s annual Jazz Festival and plays a key role in the Unionville Festival as well. The Unionville Festival fireworks, launched annually at Toogood Pond, never fail to draw huge crowds.

Recently, Toogood Pond underwent a Sediment Removal and Restoration Project. In addition to removal of sediment and restoration of the shoreline, the project involved the accommodation of migrating fish through the installation of cascading pools. Making the restoration a community effort, the project also involved community plantings of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers throughout the park. Newly restored, Toogood Pond is ready to resume its role as a popular local attraction and recreational hotspot.

Toogood Pond is located between Carlton and Kennedy Roads in Markham, behind Unionville Public School. Parking and admission are free. 

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