Ontario
Population: 131,700
- Kingston is one of 50% of cities that have a policy to waive permit fees for groups that show financial need.
- Kingston is one of 56% of cities with a park system master plan updated within the last 10 years.
- Kingston is one of 82% of cities that offer a community grant program that can be used for parks.
- The City launched Love Kingston Marketplace at Springer Market Square that included vendor stalls, bistro seating, kids activities, and a night market to provide safe outdoor activities during COVID-19.
- Due out in fall 2021, Kingston is developing a Climate Leadership Plan to guide decisions moving forward and lay the foundation for future generations.
- Kingston currently has a partnership with the French school board to develop a park that is adjacent to the future school—a strategy the city uses to develop schools and parks in a more integrated manner.
4.9
ha parkland per 1000 people
644 ha of total parkland
31%
of total parkland is natural area
201 total ha
1%
of total city land is parkland
45,119 ha of total city area
5
dog parks
7
Community gardens/urban farms
4 ha per 1000 people
Parkland provision goal (distance to park / ha per 1000 people)
5
community park groups
Yes
Policy to waive permit fees for groups with financial need
$5,850,000
1Total parks capital budget
5%
Provincially legislated tools available for parkland dedication, acquisition and/or development
Municipalities are able to require up to 5% of the land area of a residential development for parkland or, through an alternate rate bylaw, one hectare in land per 300 units or the equivalent in cash-in-lieu of one hectare per 500 units. Municipalities are also able to require 2% of commercial or non-residential development for parkland or the equivalent in cash-in-lieu. Municipalities may also fund eligible parks improvements through Development Charges and may choose to collect funding for parkland through a Community Benefits Charge, but overlap between these tools must be avoided.
¹Includes projects that were carried over from last year as they were not completed due to the pandemic. *The city has policy to designate ESAs but data within city parks system is unavailable.
