Natural Parks

Natural areas and open spaces include ravines, lands adjacent to creeks, wetlands, significant natural landscapes, hillsides not suitable for development and significant ecological features. These lands are generally maintained in their natural state but may include parkland development, which reflect environmental sensitivity.

In 1996, City Council endorsed a policy to protect natural areas and open spaces through public ownership in the order of 5% of the total land area of the City within 20 years. In 1996 the City owned 2.3% or 493 ha. By 2009, the total had risen to 900 ha.

In addition to preserve natural landscapes or open space, it is not necessary that lands be held in a public trust. More importantly “no disturb” instruments should be placed on these privately held lands to ensure preservation. Privately held lands are not calculated within the 5% goal of public ownership.

Management plans may be necessary for those significant natural areas to be developed as natural park, to ensure the recreational and environmental needs of the community are balanced.

Natural areas provide a range of use and protection. Natural areas will be categorized as follows:

Natural Parks contain a variety of uses and areas of preservation, conservation and recreation. Knox Mountain Park is a good example.

Preservation Areas have limited recreational use and may not be accessible to the general public due to steep slopes or significant wetlands. Some of the steep slopes on Dilworth Mountain and Chichester Wetland are good examples.

Private Conservation Open Space areas, are privately owned lands which preserve natural features and wetlands through no build and no disturb covenants on title. These lands are not part of the 5% goal of public ownership.