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 project remains in the pre-feasibility phase. Partners are working to move the project forward and are making progress. In August 2023, City Council reviewed the City administration's report on pre-feasibility phase outcomes and recommended moving forward to the planning phase.

Pre-feasibility phase activities included partner discussions about a preferred study area, and preliminary considerations for a vision, a boundary and management options. A detailed summary of pre-feasibility phase outcomes and engagement conducted by the City of Edmonton is provided in the following reports:

August 22, 2023 Report to City Council - National Urban Park Initiative - Outcomes of the Pre-Feasibility Phase
National Urban Park Pre-Feasibility Phase - What We Heard Report 2023

Once all work within the pre-feasibility phase is completed, and pending a final endorsement from project partners, the project will move to the planning phase for further analysis and engagement.

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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

Project partners are continuing to discuss opportunities for a national urban park in the Edmonton region. Partners have identified a need for greater clarity and understanding of how they should work together during the planning phase. 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 help set up the planning phase for success before partners engage in more complex conversations. Developing strong partnerships is critical to the long-term success of the project. This has been our focus over the past several months, resulting in a necessary delay in planning phase activities and engagement.

Moving to the planning phase doesn’t commit the City to designating a national urban park. It’s a chance for partners to work together to develop a park vision, boundary and management model, and to identify potential investments and funding structures.

A high-level park plan will be developed during the planning phase, and the public will have opportunities to provide input before City Council decides whether to pursue the designation of a national urban park.

At the end of the planning phase, all project partners will evaluate whether to proceed to the designation phase. This will include signing a non-binding memorandum of understanding; a next step towards designation.

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.

During the planning phase, partners will identify a proposed park boundary for further analysis and consideration. 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). More information on engagement timelines and opportunities to provide feedback will be available in 2024.

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.

Email	Nationalurbanpark@edmonton.ca

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National Urban Park Initiative

A Proposed National Urban Park for Edmonton

Project Status

Stay Informed

Location

Next Steps

Engagement

Future Project Phases

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