Ontario
Population: 2,961,753
- Toronto is one of 28% of cities with a biodiversity strategy and also has a standalone pollinator strategy.
- Toronto reported the second most park groups at 80 groups.
- Toronto is one of 50% of cities that have a policy to waive permit fees for groups that show financial need.
- Toronto launched a master plan process for its beloved Toronto Island Park, including an Indigenous placekeeping forum, an interactive map allowing people to pin ideas and concerns to a map, and a collection of Island stories.
- In partnership with Park People, Toronto launched InTO the Ravines, a new program to engage residents in the city’s ravines, which included COVID-adapted programming such as art and nature-focused activities online.
- In summer 2020, Toronto launched ParksPlayTO a new, free, family-focused drop-in program at select park locations in over 80 neighbourhoods around the city where city staff provide guidance on active programming.
2.7
ha parkland per 1000 people
8103 ha of total parkland
46%
of total parkland is natural area
3693 total ha
23%
of parkland is environmentally significant/protected
1884 total ha
13%
of total city land is parkland
63,406 ha of total city area
73
dog parks
79
Community gardens/urban farms
80
community park groups
Yes
Policy to waive permit fees for groups with financial need.
$65
1Parks operating budget per person
$193,775,343 total
$140,308,000
2Total 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.
¹2019 actual spend (not 2021). ²Approved 2021 budget.
