A new national urban park would facilitate access to nature for
Canadians
ST.
JOHN'S, NL, July 8, 2024
/CNW/ - Improved access to nature and greenspace near where
people live, work, and play is vital to their wellbeing. National
urban parks benefit biodiversity and are a natural solution to help
offset the impacts of climate change.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment
and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and
Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John's, announced the signing of a
Statement of Collaboration confirming their shared commitment to
explore options for the creation of a national urban park in
St. John's.
The new park would improve access to nature and greenspace for
residents of St. John's as well as
visitors and provide opportunities to amplify and honour Indigenous
voices and stories. It would also create jobs, strengthen the local
economy, and complement local and regional tourism.
The path toward designation of a national urban park in
St. John's will be explored over
the coming years through meaningful collaboration and cooperation
with partners and stakeholders. As potential sites are assessed,
possible connections to existing heritage places administered by
Parks Canada, including Signal Hill National Historic Site and Cape
Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site, may be considered.
National urban parks provide habitat for animals, including
species at risk, and can serve as crucial corridors for wildlife.
They are great examples of nature-based climate solutions, helping
to cool cities and absorb rainwater during extreme weather events.
They contribute to Canada's
climate change objectives by sequestering carbon, and to the
Government of Canada's commitment
to conserve 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030.
As the collaboration advances, Parks Canada and the City of St. John's will engage and work with
other key local and regional organizations and land holders to
ensure the potential park protects nature, connects people with
nature and advances reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Quotes
"Improving access to nature and greenspace is essential for the
wellbeing of our communities. The signing of this Statement of
Collaboration between Parks Canada and the City of St. John's is a significant step
towards creating a national urban park in this beautiful city,
which will offer residents and visitors a chance to connect with
nature, support local economies, and honor Indigenous stories. This
initiative aligns with our broader commitment to conserve 30 per
cent of Canada's lands and waters
by 2030 and showcases the power of nature-based solutions in our
fight against climate change."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible
for Parks Canada
"A national urban park would be the first of its kind in our
province, and an incredible asset for our region. That's why this
Statement of Collaboration is an invaluable first step in a process
which will bring our community closer to nature and
reconciliation."
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John's East, Newfoundland and Labrador
"Every action we take to protect our environment and lower
greenhouse gas emissions matters. Today's announcement to create
more greenspace in the St. John's
area is a positive step along the path to adapting to our changing
climate. I commend the City of St.
John's and the federal government as they collaborate on
this exciting initiative, helping to ensure our province is
environmentally sustainable for future generations."
The Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador
"The City of St. John's is
thrilled to sign this Statement of Collaboration with Parks Canada,
which will bring us one step closer to creating a new national
urban park to be enjoyed by residents, visitors, and wildlife. This
initiative aligns with several of the City of St. John's goals and priorities. It
will help build a more connected city, one where people can not
only connect with each other but also with nature. The national
urban park will also help advance our sustainability goals and
provide a new opportunity to celebrate and honour the diverse
cultures, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples in
Canada."
Danny Breen
Mayor, City of St. John's
Quick Facts
- The vast network of protected areas administered by Parks
Canada is a gateway to nature, history, and 450 000 km² of stories
from coast to coast to coast.
- New national urban parks will be managed under a range of
flexible governance models, including federally administered
places, third-party administered places, and various partnership
approaches.
- In addition to the city of St.
John's, collaborative work is underway to designate national
urban parks in the Victoria
region, BC; the Edmonton region,
AB; the Saskatoon region, SK;
Winnipeg, MB; Windsor, ON; and Halifax, NS. Parks Canada has also held early discussions in the
Greater Montreal Region, QC.
- With its well-known network of urban cultural heritage sites,
as well as Rouge National Urban Park, Parks Canada has a strong
presence and a long history of conservation in urban areas.
Related Links
- Parks Canada
- National urban parks
- City of St. John's
- Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador Department of Environment and Climate Change
SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)