National urban parks
National urban parks are designated to conserve nature, connect people with nature, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Creating a network of national urban parks
The Government of Canada launched the National Urban Parks Program in 2021 to help ensure that more Canadians have access to green space. Through partnerships with Indigenous governments and organizations, municipalities, provinces and community partners, Parks Canada is collaboratively working to create a network of national urban parks in Canada’s large urban centers.
The shared objectives of conserving nature, connecting people with nature and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples are the foundation of the Interim National Urban Parks Policy, and help guide the work at each of the program’s candidate sites.
What a national urban park is
A designated national urban park represents a large, predominantly natural area situated in or near a major urban centre. It:
- contributes to conserving nature, connecting people with nature, and advancing reconciliation
- is formally designated by Parks Canada, and developed through a collaborative process
- is part of a network of national urban parks
How national urban parks are different from municipal and national parks
National urban parks are distinct from both municipal parks and national parks.
While municipal parks are typically managed locally and national parks are federally administered protected areas, national urban parks are collaborative places created through partnerships. They bring together multiple land administrators and partners to conserve nature, connect people with nature, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples near or within large urban centers where people live, work and visit.
Visit a national urban park
Rouge National Urban Park
Learn more about the Rouge National Urban Park, the first of its kind in Canada. The National Urban Parks Program will build on the many successes of the Rouge, while exploring different partnership.
Rouge National Urban Park
Learn more about the Rouge National Urban Park, the first of its kind at Parks Canada. The new National Urban Parks Program will build on the many successes of the Rouge, while exploring different models of governance.
Contact the National Urban Parks Team
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