Parkland Dedication Bylaw update

Parkland dedication is a process in Ontario’s Planning Act that outlines how municipalities can require certain types of development to include the transfer of land or provision of funds for parkland. That way, as the city grows, the amount of parkland grows too, so there’s enough park space for everyone to enjoy.

Guelph’s latest Parkland Dedication Bylaw was passed in 2022, and the legislative environment has changed since then:

• In 2022, Provincial Bill 23 changed the way Ontario municipalities calculate and collect parkland dedication with rate reductions and new exemptions.
• In December 2024, Guelph’s Council approved City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments permitting four units as of right on residential lots.

With these changes, there’s room to streamline how the bylaw meets the requirements of the Official Plan, Zoning Bylaw and Ontario’s Planning Act.  As we do, we’re engaging the community to update the bylaw and make it easier to understand, follow and administer. At the same time, we’re working to make sure our approach to parkland acquisition meets the community’s needs and expectations.

We are working toward presenting an updated bylaw for Council’s consideration in 2027. Get all the details on how you can participate in the Parkland Dedication Bylaw community engagement by visiting the project’s Have Your Say page.

Establishing Guelph’s parkland needs – now and in the future

Guelph Park Plan: Guiding our future parkland system

Our approved Park Plan helps evaluate the current park system and figure out our future land needs as Guelph grows. The Park Plan makes sure we have an optimal level of service for parks accessible to residents as we grow, with an amount of parkland and park features that meet community needs and wants while being sustainable, affordable and realistic.

The Park Plan is a component of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Park Plan:

• Defines our park system to understand our existing conditions
• Outlines future challenges and opportunities facing our park system
• Plans for an optimal level of service as our community grows and changes
• Develops strategic directions for parkland retention, optimization and expansion

The Park Plan acknowledges the City will not meet the Official Plan parkland targets using parkland dedication alone. For this reason, the Park Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan recommend developing a Parkland Acquisition Strategy. The revised Parkland Dedication Bylaw and a Parkland Acquisition Strategy will be presented to Council in 2027. Participate in the Parkland Dedication Bylaw and Parkland Acquisition Strategy community engagement by visiting the project’s Have Your Say page.

For more information

Christina Vannelli, Park Planner
Park and Trail Development, Parks
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2431
[email protected]