Tuesday, July 9, 2024 Parks Canada recognizes that access to nature and greenspace is vital for community wellbeing, offering benefits that enhance mental health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. In light of this, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, together with Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John’s, have unveiled a new initiative to explore the establishment of a national urban park in St.
John’s. This park aims to enhance access to nature for both residents and visitors of St. John’s, fostering opportunities to highlight and honor Indigenous voices and stories.
The proposed park is expected to stimulate local employment, bolster the economy, and complement the region’s tourism industry. Over the next few years, the journey towards establishing this national urban park will involve extensive collaboration with various partners and stakeholders. Evaluations of potential sites will consider possible connections to existing heritage sites managed by Parks Canada, such as Signal Hill National Historic Site and Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site.
National urban parks serve as vital habitats for wildlife, including endangered species, and act as essential wildlife corridors. They exemplify nature-based solutions for climate challenges, cooling urban areas and managing stormwater during extreme weather. These parks contribute to Canada’s climate goals by sequestering carbon and .