The Ojibway National Urban Park has still not been designated, but the University of Windsor's Centre for Cities' study, meant to act as a framework on opening national urban parks throughout Canada, is out now.
The report's objective was to outline what it means to build a national park in a city and how to ensure accessibility to nature for people who live in the city while protecting important ecosystems.
Parks Canada provided $1.2 million to the University of Windsor to establish the National Urban Parks Hub. The report was completed as part of that funding.
It recommends Parks Canada develop a clearer definition of what National Urban Parks are and develop a more efficient creation process.
"We continue to support the federal government investing in national urban parks in the way that they have. What has been missing or at least what has perhaps not been fully developed, is the process to get there," said Anneke Smit, Director of the Centre for Cities and Associate Professor at Windsor Law.
In 2021, the federal government announced $130.9 million for the creation of up to 15 new national urban parks by 2030.
Smit said if these are to move forward, the municipalities hosting these sites should show a clear commitment to the process.
"If a city wants to participate, just like when they go for other federal funding for housing or other things, they have to apply, they have to make the case, they have to show that they are building partnerships to help make it work," said Smit.
Smit said ultimately the report shows that people want more connections to protected green spaces that enhance biodiversity.
"The actual protection of those lands is important. At the same time, we heard over and over that that particular space does matter to people. It matters to Indigenous Nations who use it for ceremony and for a place of belonging and to connect. It matters to individual people and families and friends and people who just want to go to a bigger space of nature," said Smit.
Last week, Parks Canada announced the addition of 19 hectares of land for the Ojibway National Urban Park. Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Julie Dabrusin said they are in the final stages of designating the park but could not provide a timeframe for its opening.
The full Centre for Cities' report National Urban Parks: Lessons for Policy, Connection and Community can be found here.
