The city council voted 9-2 Tuesday night to approve a $340 million plan to add 450 acres of parks and urban forests across underserved neighbourhoods over the next decade, the most ambitious urban greening initiative the city has undertaken since the post-war era.

The proposal, developed over three years through an extensive community consultation process, prioritises districts that currently have less than two acres of green space per 1,000 residents — well below the internationally recommended standard of ten acres.

Where the Parks Will Go

The first phase of construction will begin in the city’s eastern districts, where residents have long campaigned for greater access to outdoor space. Twelve new parks and four urban forest corridors are planned for completion within the first four years.

Funding will come from a combination of municipal bonds, state environmental grants, and a new parks levy that will add an estimated $24 per year to the average property tax bill.

Opponents of the plan, including two dissenting council members, raised concerns about the property tax impact on renters and called for greater private investment to offset the public cost. Supporters argued the health, social, and economic benefits of expanded green space would far outweigh the levy over time.