Urban parks in Canada
Encyclopedia
Urban parks in Canada are areas for public recreation and enjoyment or natural preservation in cities in Canada. They are often owned and operated by municipal governments and so are also called municipal parks.
The amount of total park space per person and as percentage of total land in Canadian cities varies substantially. Many Canadian cities are located near large provincial
and national parks, and other rural areas such as "cottage country
" which also provide recreation areas for urban dwellers but may reduce the incentives for cities to preserve parkland within municipal boundaries. Some Canadian urban parks may be neatly tended public garden
s reminiscent of the old world
, but many of the largest are completely undeveloped
open spaces
.
Vancouver has approximately 1300 hectares (3,212.4 acre) of total parks, much less total area than other Canadian cities, but this represents 11% of the city's total area, the highest percentage in Canada. Stanley Park
in particular is 400 hectares (988.4 acre), and features a 8.8 kilometres (5.5 mi) seawall
.
Calgary's current main parks are Nose Hill Park
at 1127 hectares (2,784.9 acre) and Fish Creek Provincial Park
at 1348 hectares (3,331 acre).
Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River valley parks system
is a 7400 hectares (18,285.8 acre) "ribbon of green" running through the city, most of it undeveloped. The city also maintains 4600 hectares (11,366.8 acre) of grass fields for sports and leisure.
Ottawa has around 8 hectares (19.8 acre) of parkland for every 1000 residents. This compares to only 3.24 hectares (8 acre) per 1000 people in Toronto and 1.2 hectares (3 acre) per 1000 people in Montreal. For an international comparison London, England, the city with the largest number of total parks in the world, has 2.7 hectares (6.7 acre) of parks per 1000 people and a total of about 4000 hectares (9,884.2 acre).
The amount of total park space per person and as percentage of total land in Canadian cities varies substantially. Many Canadian cities are located near large provincial
Provincial park
A provincial park is a park under the management of a provincial or territorial government in Canada.While provincial parks are not the same as national parks, their workings are very similar...
and national parks, and other rural areas such as "cottage country
Cottage country
Cottage country is a common name in Eastern Canada for areas that are popular locations for recreational properties such as cottages and summer homes. The name is often applied locally; that is, any major population centre may have its own popular "cottage country" area...
" which also provide recreation areas for urban dwellers but may reduce the incentives for cities to preserve parkland within municipal boundaries. Some Canadian urban parks may be neatly tended public garden
Public Garden
Public Garden is the second mini-album by Dragon Ash; released in 1997. Realism II was used as the theme for Asahi National Broadcasting Co.'s "Sports Spotters" show.-Track listing:#"Realism II" – 2:55#"Ability → Normal" – 3:05...
s reminiscent of the old world
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
, but many of the largest are completely undeveloped
Land development
Land development refers to altering the landscape in any number of ways such as:* changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose such as agriculture or housing...
open spaces
Urban open space
In land use planning, urban open space is open space areas for “parks”, “green spaces”, and other open areas. The landscape of urban open spaces can range from playing fields to highly maintained environments to relatively natural landscapes. They are commonly open to public access, however, urban...
.
Vancouver has approximately 1300 hectares (3,212.4 acre) of total parks, much less total area than other Canadian cities, but this represents 11% of the city's total area, the highest percentage in Canada. Stanley Park
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a 404.9 hectare urban park bordering downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was opened in 1888 by David Oppenheimer in the name of Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor-General of Canada....
in particular is 400 hectares (988.4 acre), and features a 8.8 kilometres (5.5 mi) seawall
Seawall
A seawall is a form of coastal defence constructed where the sea, and associated coastal processes, impact directly upon the landforms of the coast. The purpose of a seawall is to protect areas of human habitation, conservation and leisure activities from the action of tides and waves...
.
Calgary's current main parks are Nose Hill Park
Nose Hill Park
Nose Hill Park, one of the largest municipal parks in Canada and North America, is located in the northwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is a natural environment park, commonly regarded as a retreat from city life and a place to enjoy nature...
at 1127 hectares (2,784.9 acre) and Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek Park is a provincial park located in the southern part of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is one of the largest urban parks in North America, stretching from east to west. At , it is over three times the size of Vancouver's Stanley Park....
at 1348 hectares (3,331 acre).
Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River valley parks system
North Saskatchewan River valley parks system
The North Saskatchewan River valley parks system is a continuous collection of urban parks in the North Saskatchewan River valley of Edmonton, Alberta....
is a 7400 hectares (18,285.8 acre) "ribbon of green" running through the city, most of it undeveloped. The city also maintains 4600 hectares (11,366.8 acre) of grass fields for sports and leisure.
Ottawa has around 8 hectares (19.8 acre) of parkland for every 1000 residents. This compares to only 3.24 hectares (8 acre) per 1000 people in Toronto and 1.2 hectares (3 acre) per 1000 people in Montreal. For an international comparison London, England, the city with the largest number of total parks in the world, has 2.7 hectares (6.7 acre) of parks per 1000 people and a total of about 4000 hectares (9,884.2 acre).