The review of Bylaw 2202 was overdue. The original Parks and Recreation Bylaw 2202 was first passed by City Council in 1961. Since then, it had been amended eleven times and had become outdated. A revised Parkland Bylaw is necessary for the good of the citizens of Edmonton and the protection of parkland. Many of the rules from the former Parks and Recreation Bylaw were updated and carried over into the amended Parkland Bylaw.

January 1, 2004

The Parkland Bylaw sets manageable guidelines for the conduct and activities of park users. It encourages reasonable use of park property and promotes a safe, enjoyable atmosphere for everyone wishing to use Edmonton's beautiful parks system. The Community Services Department is committed to responsible stewardship of parks and facilities.

You do not need to look to the Parkland Bylaw to continue to enjoy parkland as you always have. Instead, the Bylaw will guide you in making decisions about your activities that will protect City property, address health and safety issues, and allow for the enjoyment and preservation of natural areas for all Edmontonians. Because the Bylaw is a rulebook, the rules focus on those activities that individuals can't do on parkland, or where individuals may need permission for their activities. The rules are also written in a way to ensure the Bylaw maintains its legal integrity as an enforceable document.

You do not need to look to the Parkland Bylaw to continue to enjoy parkland as you always have. Instead, the Bylaw will guide you in making decisions about your activities that will protect City property, address health and safety issues, and allow for the enjoyment and preservation of natural areas for all Edmontonians. Because the Bylaw is a rulebook, the rules focus on those activities that individuals can't do on parkland, or where individuals may need permission for their activities. The rules are also written in a way to ensure the Bylaw maintains its legal integrity as an enforceable document.

The Parkland Bylaw will be managed by the City of Edmonton's Community Services Department and will be enforced by authorized employees including Park Rangers, Bylaw Enforcement Officers and members of the Edmonton Police Service. Every effort will be made to ensure those enforcing the Bylaw are well trained for their duties. The City will also be updating education brochures and pamphlets to help individuals understand the rules in the Bylaw.

The Parkland Bylaw will apply to anyone using Edmonton parkland. "Parkland" means any property whether developed or not, owned, controlled or maintained by the City of Edmonton that is intended to be used by members of the public for recreation and general enjoyment or is preserved as a natural area. This includes parks, natural areas, open space and recreation facilities like swimming pools and arenas, and major attractions like the Valley Zoo and Fort Edmonton Park.

City of Edmonton recreation facilities such as ice arenas, swimming pools, the Valley Zoo and Fort Edmonton Park are located on parkland. If you are at a facility, you will be required to follow the rules set out at each facility and obey facility staff. This is to ensure all individuals have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Whereas the former Bylaw required a compulsory court appearance be made for most infractions, the Parkland Bylaw establishes specified penalties ranging from $100 to $500, as determined by the severity of the offence.

The Bylaw has three levels of fines:

$100 as a base level, generally for nuisance issues

$250 for more serious offences, for example: removing barricades, fire and pollution issues, and acting with unreasonable care on trails.

$500 for the most serious offenses, for example, setting off fireworks or launching a hot air balloon in parkland without a permit, or entering onto the field of play at Telus Field or Commonwealth Stadium.

For particularly significant offenses, an Officer may issue a compulsory court appearance, with fines of up to $10,000. Should an individual disagree with the Officer's issuance of a ticket, he or she has the right to go to court to contest the ticket.

Some examples of Parkland Bylaw infractions include: being in restricted areas; allowing animals to be at large; living overnight in parkland; damaging natural areas; and conducting a business on parkland without a permit. With the implementation of the Parkland Bylaw, Park Rangers and other Bylaw Enforcement Officers are able to manage issues in a more effective and efficient manner. For issues such as liquor consumption, speeding, and vandalism, Community Services staff will involve the Edmonton Police Service.

Group activities and events attended by more than 50 people require a permit. A permit is required for groups larger than 50 people. Such permits have been included under the Parkland Bylaw to allow Community Services staff to manage resources and potential issues more effectively and efficiently. When Community Services knows that your group is coming to parkland, staff will ensure that the site can accommodate your event; plan ahead for special services like extra garbage pickup; alert you to any conflicts with other groups coming to the same site; and alert you to any other permits that might be required.

Picnic sites are available for anyone to use. Picnic permits are required only if you wish to reserve a picnic site, or if the picnic is going to be attended by more than 50 people. These guidelines are included under the Parkland Bylaw to ensure that picnic areas remain clean and safe for anyone wishing to use them.

Generally, animals are not allowed on parkland unless specifically permitted. This may occur through signs, special events, permits or other Bylaws.

A dog may be on parkland so long as the dog is leashed and on an improved trail or unimproved trail; leashed and on a boulevard; leashed and in an area governed by signage permitting dogs; or in an off-leash area. Dogs must be kept at least 10 metres from any playground or picnic site. At all times, a dog on parkland is subject to every provision contained in the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw #13145. This Bylaw is cross-referenced in the Parkland Bylaw. Generally, whenever dogs are off the property of their owner they must be on a leash not exceeding two metres in length and under control.

The Parkland Bylaw defines two types of trails, improved and unimproved. In both cases they refer to an identifiable path, track or public right-of-way on parkland intended for use by pedestrians and vehicles other than motor vehicles. Improved trails have a width equal to or greater than 1. 5 metres and have an improved surface such as pavement, granular material or mulch, or a maintained grass surface. Unimproved trails have a width equal to or greater than 0. 5 metre and have a natural surface. Unimproved trails are best suited to activities that can be done ‘single file' or where a smoother surface is not required.

Paths or tracks that have a width of less than 0. 5 metre are not trails, as defined in the Bylaw. Narrow ‘animal paths' that often crisscross Edmonton's river valley are not considered trails, but are deemed to be part of natural areas. Individuals may only travel in natural areas if they remain on an improved or unimproved trail. This rule will ensure that animal paths don't become enlarged by human impacts.

As part of the Community Services Department's role as the stewards of parkland, authorized staff may close certain trails or natural areas to all activities. There are several reasons for this, including safety issues, the need to allow damaged areas to be repaired, or to respond to risks to environmentally sensitive areas or wildlife corridors.

The Bylaw also requires that people remain off unimproved trails if they are reasonably likely to damage parkland. This damage can occur when individuals go off the trail and erode surrounding areas, or when conditions are such that their actions could rut or damage the trail itself. During wet and rainy conditions, for example, trails are very susceptible to damage. This rule will not apply to multi-purpose trails that have more durable surfaces. In all cases, persons using trails must recognize that they are sharing the trail with others, take steps to ensure that they yield to slower moving people, and use reasonable care when passing other people on the trail.

Cyclists will be allowed on roadways and, unless prohibited by signage, on the two types of trails defined in the Parkland Bylaw, improved and unimproved. As described above, trails will now be defined by their width and their surface. Under the Parkland Bylaw, all trail users will be treated similarly, including walkers, runners, cyclists, rollerbladers and dog walkers – and all users will ‘share the trail'.

Cyclists must use reasonable care when passing others on a trail. This includes the mandatory use of a bell when approaching other trail users

Your poster may be placed in an area designated by the City for that purpose, for example, kiosks. You may also apply to the City for permission to place posters as part of your special event. In this case, you will be advised about any special requirements so that parkland remains attractive for other users and no damage occurs to City property or trees. Unless you have permission from the City, under the Parkland Bylaw, a $100 fine may be issued.

Your fire is only permitted in an area established for that purpose, such as a fireplace, fire-pit or similar receptacle. There are also rules established to ensure the fire is properly attended and extinguished. These rules address serious safety issues and the preservation of Edmonton's natural areas. Unless you have permission from the City, under the Parkland Bylaw, a $250 fine may be issued. For particularly significant offenses, an Officer may issue a compulsory court appearance where a fine may be issued of up to $10,000.

Through education and enforcement of the Bylaw, Community Services hopes to curb the loss of natural areas and damage to parkland. This loss can occur when individuals travel in any undeveloped or natural area other than on an improved or unimproved trail. Damage can occur if individuals remove rocks, gravel, sand or soil, or if individuals move or damage any tree, shrub, flower, or other plant or deadfall. Damage may also occur if individuals use a trail during conditions that may cause erosion of the trail or surrounding areas, or rut the surface of the trail. It is important that individuals stay on the trail in natural areas.

The Bylaw does not restrict an individual's reasonable use and enjoyment of parkland. You can continue to skip stones or pick berries as long as your activities do not contravene the Bylaw. For example, your activities should not damage parkland.

Read the Parkland Bylaw (2202). Copies are also available by calling the Office of the City Clerk at 780-496-8178.