Mulock Park – Gardens, Forests, and Ecology

PLANT is leading the transformation of former heritage estate lands into the Town of Newmarket’s 16-acre Mulock Park. Public consultation at the masterplan stage clearly indicated that preserving the site’s mature wooded areas was a priority for local residents. There has not been any pristine wilderness on this site in a long time, however: by the late 19th century, most of the forest that had once covered the Mulock Estate had been converted to orchards, an experimental farm, and formal lawns and gardens. We developed a three-pronged strategy for improving the site’s landscapes over time:

• Cultivation: Preserve and enhance cultural/​historic areas

• Naturalization: Replace invasive shrubs and lawn with native species that will foster a strong understorey

• Restoration: Use felled trees to help cultivate a multi-layered, complex forest that encourages the growth of moss and mushrooms. Based on site conditions and existing planting, Mulock Park’s landscapes will range from a revitalized wetland and riverine water feature to groves and thickets.