Ontario
Population: 107,909
- Thunder Bay has the highest percentage of natural parkland as a percentage of total parkland, almost double the average at 85%.
- Thunder Bay has the second most hectares of parkland relative to population with 19.2 hectares per thousand people.
- Thunder Bay is one of 50% of cities that have a policy to waive permit fees for groups that show financial need.
- Thunder Bay is working with the Thunder Bay Stewardship Council and Lakehead Region Conservation Authority to do habitat restoration and wetland enhancements in Fishermen’s Park West.
- Thunder Bay is partnering with Eco-Superior, an environmental non-profit, on wild foraging and forest bathing programming within the city’s natural areas.
- Thunder Bay has approved a new natural materials adventure playground in Centennial Park that will include a zip-line and a balance course.
19.2
ha parkland per 1000 people
2070 ha of total parkland
85%
of total parkland is natural area
1769 total ha
20%
of parkland is environmentally significant/protected
414 total ha
6%
of total city land is parkland
32,824 ha of total city area
4
dog parks
10
Community gardens/urban farms
4
community park groups
Yes
1Policy to waive permit fees for groups with financial need.
$67
Parks operating budget per person
$7,190,800 total
$4,980,400
Total parks capital budget
$99,346
Total philanthropy/sponsorships
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.
¹Fees waived for not-for-profit organizations.
