Total hectares of parkland and green space that is publicly accessible and owned, leased, or under a management agreement by the municipality. This number should capture all parks and green spaces that are perceived/used by residents similarly to parkland.

Specifically, it should include:

• Actively managed parkland
• Natural parkland/areas
• Other municipally owned, managed, or leased open spaces that are used as public green space

Excludes:

• Golf courses
• School yards, if owned/maintained by the municipality
• Active (open) cemeteries
• Sports stadia
• Parking lots
• Institutional and other publicly owned green space
• Other parks/green spaces that are not owned, managed or leased by the municipality (e.g. privately owned public spaces)

A natural area is a green space which receives a relatively low level of maintenance and supports natural or naturalizing vegetation. Natural areas may be publicly accessible (e.g. via trail networks) or areas with limited/little public access.

Natural areas may include:

• trails or walkways
• washrooms
• environmentally sensitive/protected areas
• stormwater ponds/water bodies located within natural areas

Excludes:

• parking lots
• actively managed parkland

Total hectares of parkland that is actively maintained by the municipality for community use. These parks often contain built and natural amenities such as: park furniture, planted trees/beds, sports fields, playgrounds, and mown grass.

Includes:

• plazas and “grey” spaces used for public recreation, when maintained by the parks department
• small ponds/water bodies located within actively managed park spaces

Excludes:

• natural areas
• hazard lands
• school yards
• active (open) cemeteries
• golf courses
• sports stadia
• parking lots

Total hectares of parks and publicly accessible green spaces that are owned and maintained as parkland by public entities other than the municipality, such as:

• The federal government
• The province
• A regional government
• Conservation authorities
• Universities

Excludes:

• School board lands
• Privately owned public spaces

Includes both standalone dog parks and off-leash dog areas within parks.

Community gardens/urban farms are food-growing gardens available for the public to use that may require membership. This includes community orchards.

A playground refers to an area with purpose-built children’s playground equipment present, and may have just one single item of equipment or several items located together.