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.