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.

Total number of permanent public washrooms in parks that are open year-round or seasonally. Excludes portable toilets.