Parks of a variety of sizes, including the river valley, and tableland natural areas are connected through greenways and habitat stepping stones providing areas for people and wildlife. These elements comprise Edmonton’s open space network. 

Open spaces include a variety of parks and natural areas and are intentionally planned across the city to connect wildlife and people to nature, celebration, and recreation spaces. This work is supported by various City policies and strategies, including but not limited to: 

Land Development Applications

Technical studies are required to support the review and assessment of Land Development Applications (LDAs) related to open spaces. For more information on these studies please visit Natural Area and Parks Planning LDA Technical Studies.

North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System

The North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan (NSRVARP) Bylaw 7188 identifies a boundary for the river valley and ravine system and a set of policies and development approval procedures for lands within this boundary. For more information on proposed projects in this area please visit Environmental Review Requirements in the River Valley and Ravines.

Provincial Public Lands Act and Water Act Review

In Alberta, the province owns most of the beds and shores of wetlands if they are permanent and naturally occurring bodies of water. As well, the use and/or diversion of waters is managed by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) through the administration of the Water Act. Applications must be made for review of bed and shore claims and for approvals for any alteration of wetlands and other naturally occurring water bodies to the Government of Alberta.

The City of Edmonton requires that information relating to the identification of all provincial bed and shore claims within a plan area must be provided at the earliest planning stage possible.

Requirements for compensation and/or replacement may be imposed by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for wetlands that are lost or altered as a result of urban development. The  City's Wetland Strategy (12.92 MB) provides further direction on municipal goals with respect to wetland retention.

More information on the Water Act and Public Lands Act is available from the Government of Alberta.