National Urban Park Initiative

A Proposed National Urban Park for Edmonton

Since 2021, the City of Edmonton has been in discussion with project partners including Parks Canada, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (formerly the Métis Nation of Alberta), and the Government of Alberta (in an observer role) about the potential for establishing a national urban park in the Edmonton region.

The National Urban Park Initiative is expected to be a multi-phase, multi-year project, with opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement at all stages. Project partners are discussing what a national urban park could look like, but no decisions have been made to designate a national urban park at this time.

Project Status

The National Urban Park Initiative is currently on pause and remains in the pre-feasibility phase.

Project partners continue to monitor political developments at the provincial level, in particular Bill 204 (the Municipal Government [National Urban Parks] Amendment Act) and Bill 18 (the Provincial Priorities Act) as these may impact the next steps in exploring a national urban park in the Edmonton region.

Bill 18 will come into force on April 1, 2025. The regulations associated with this bill were released on February 26, 2025. Project partners are reviewing these regulations, determining their implications for the NUP Initiative, and identifying next steps. Project partners will continue to work with the provincial government to better understand its desired role in the initiative.

While partners in the National Urban Park Initiative are eagerly waiting to receive input from the Government of Alberta, all parties have a shared understanding that developing regulations will take time. Partners look forward to understanding the regulations and the Government of Alberta’s desired role in the project moving forward in order to advance discussions on a national urban park.

Stay Informed

The project team remains committed to providing updates to the public and stakeholders on the status of the project.

If you are interested in receiving project updates, including future engagement opportunities for the National Urban Park Initiative, sign up for our email updates.

Location

Partners have expressed interest in the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System (the River Valley) as the preferred study area. The River Valley has a high potential to meet the goals of the National Urban Park Program (conserving nature, connecting people to nature, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples). Proposed boundaries within the River Valley haven’t been decided.

Partners are considering which areas in the system present the greatest opportunities and could be prioritized for a first phase of a national urban park. Further work is needed to determine the scale, phasing options, management model and funding opportunities. Partners have expressed interest in a phased designation approach, beginning with a smaller area(s) and exploring the potential for future park expansion.

The management structure for a potential national urban park has not been determined, but the City is not considering a transfer of City parkland to the federal government. Instead, partners would discuss flexible management models allowing for local control and jurisdiction. Management options will be explored more fully in the next phase of the project.

Next Steps

Partners have identified a need for greater clarity and understanding of how they should work together during the planning phase and how the Government of Alberta’s Bill 204 and Bill 18 will impact the project. As a result, project priorities and timelines have shifted to make space for this important work.

Taking time to develop a shared understanding of partner roles, responsibilities and commitments to relationship building will be important to set up the planning phase for success should project activities resume.

Engagement

The City of Edmonton is committed to providing opportunities for the public, stakeholders, organizations and Indigenous Peoples to contribute to discussions and direction about a potential national urban park in the Edmonton region.

Engagement is an important part of the planning phase. The City will work with project partners to share more information to guide conversations and invite feedback in advance of the next phase of engagement.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is a core objective of the National Urban Park Program, and the City of Edmonton is committed to working with partners to support meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities regarding a national urban park in Edmonton.

The public, stakeholders, organizations and Indigenous Peoples will have an opportunity to share ideas and potential impacts of a proposed national urban park site(s).

Future Project Phases

At the end of the planning phase, City Council will review the project outcomes and determine the City’s interest in pursuing the designation of a national urban park in Edmonton. Other project partners will also seek decisions from their leadership about progressing past the planning phase. Parks Canada will be seeking commitment from partners to proceed to designation through a non-binding memorandum of understanding.

To learn more about the process for developing new national urban parks, please visit Parks Canada’s website.

For further information about the National Urban Park program, please visit the Parks Canada National Urban Parks page or contact us directly.

Project Partners

National Urban Park Initiative

A Proposed National Urban Park for Edmonton

Project Status

Stay Informed

Location

Next Steps

Engagement

Future Project Phases

About the Project

Get More Details

Project Partners

Learn more about a National Urban Park in Edmonton

Contact Us

Project Partners