Milne Dam Conservation Park is located on Milne Reservoir, part of the Rouge Park and is also planned to become part of a future Rouge Park Trails Network. The Town of Markham sprang from the advent of the mill and dam. In the 1950s, the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority acquired the property as the Milne Park Conservation Area. Wonderful opportunities for bird watching exist in this area as the significant wetlands, forests and open space provide a stopoff for migratory birds. Blue Jays, chickadees, woodpeckers, Blue Herons and a nesting pair of Baltimore Orioles, Milne Dam Conservation Park is Markham's largest park of 123 hectare or 305 acre with the Rouge River flowing in the middle and surrounded with a lush forest on the southern and eastern edges. It is located on the east side of McCowan Road, just south of Highway 7. It is open seasonally and for vehicles from 8 a.m. to dusk from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving Day. The park offers 2.3 kilometres of trails suitable for walking, jogging and cycling as well a beach area.