After a long drive on busy highways, through neighbourhoods of large suburban houses and paved driveways, Tomlinson Park is an unlikely oasis of lush greenery.
The park, which is in Markham, Ont., at the northeastern edge of Toronto, hugs the Rouge River and is the site of a major ecological restoration effort just steps away from people’s homes.
On a cloudy day in June, hundreds of volunteers were planting trees and shrubs in an effort to restore a barren part of the park.
“In 10 to 15 years, they should grow up to 20, 30, even 50 feet [15 metres]. And it should
