To enhance urban greenspaces and promote environmental conservation, Parks Canada and the City of St. John’s have taken a step forward in their pursuit of creating a national urban park in Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital city.
Steven Guilbeault, minister of environment and climate change and minister responsible for Parks Canada, along with Danny Breen, mayor of St. John’s, announced the signing of a Statement of Collaboration to initiate the establishment of a new national urban park in St. John’s.
The natural beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador, with its rugged coastlines, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, provides a backdrop for this urban park concept. Additionally, the proposed national urban park is expected to create jobs, bolster the local economy, and complement existing tourism offerings in the region.
The creation of this park aligns with Canada’s broader commitment to conserve 30% of the country’s lands and waters by 2030, showcasing the power of nature-based solutions in combating climate change.
According to a press release, urban park spaces offer numerous environmental benefits, including cooling cities and absorbing rainwater during extreme weather events.
Joanne Thompson, member of parliament for St. John’s East, Newfoundland and Labrador, emphasized the importance of this initiative.
“A national urban park would be the first of its kind in our province, and an incredible asset for our region. That’s why this Statement of Collaboration is an invaluable first step in a process which will bring our community closer to nature and reconciliation,” Thompson said.
In addition, Bernard Davis, minister of environment and climate change for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, also expressed his support for the project, highlighting its alignment with provincial environmental goals.
Davis emphasized that every action to protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is significant, highlighting that the announcement to create more greenspace in the St. John’s area is a positive step towards adapting to climate change.
“I commend the City of St. John’s and the federal government as they collaborate on this exciting initiative, helping to ensure our province is environmentally sustainable for future generations,” Davis explained.
Featured image by CNW Group/Parks Canada via parks.canada.ca.
