Parkland Dedication Bylaw Update

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Consultation has concluded

Update: Council approved the Parkland Dedication Bylaw on July 18, 2022. The new bylaw was put into effect the following day.. Read more about the bylaw on our website.

We’re making updates to the Parkland Dedication Bylaw and we want your feedback.

This bylaw helps us grow our parks and open spaces to match our community’s growing needs in two ways:

  1. Developers may transfer land for parks and public recreation, or
  2. Developers may provide money for future parks, park equipment or recreational buildings.

About the bylaw update

We’re required to update the Parkland Dedication Bylaw based on provincial legislative changes before September 2022. As part of this update, we want to hear from residents and the development community about improving:

  • bylaw clarity
  • how we apply the bylaw
  • how we communicate about the bylaw

The Parkland Dedication Bylaw contains rates and limits, known as “caps”, on how high the parkland dedication fees can go. The rates are based on provincial legislation and the caps were set based on community engagement in 2018 and approved by City Council in 2019. Since the rates and limits were recently adopted, we’re not seeking input on that portion of the bylaw at this time.

This consultation is now closed and under review


Here is what we were asking for

  1. Learn about the Parkland Dedication Bylaw, including how it helps improve parks in Guelph and how it is used,
  2. Check out the proposed bylaw updates
  3. Then take a moment to ask a question, submit a comment or share your thoughts below.

Attend a public virtual open house on February 8

We’re hosting a facilitated virtual open house to share information about the Parkland Dedication Bylaw and give you an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Join us Tuesday, February 8 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. To participate, join the session using this link and password ParkLandDBL. You can also watch the live session on Facebook and guelph.ca/live.

A separate information session is being held for the development community on Tuesday, February 15 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

More than a bylaw

We’re looking at Guelph’s park needs holistically. The Parkland Dedication Bylaw is one part of a bigger project to consider future park needs for our growing city. Part of this work is a Park Plan that will:

  • Define our existing park system
  • Outline future challenges and opportunities facing our parks
  • Plan for an optimal parks and recreation spaces as our community grows and changes

The Park Plan is being completed as a part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to address mandatory legislative changes to the Parkland Dedication Bylaw before September 2022.

You can also share your thoughts on the Park Plan before February 17 on the Park Plan engagement page.

Update: Council approved the Parkland Dedication Bylaw on July 18, 2022. The new bylaw was put into effect the following day.. Read more about the bylaw on our website.

We’re making updates to the Parkland Dedication Bylaw and we want your feedback.

This bylaw helps us grow our parks and open spaces to match our community’s growing needs in two ways:

  1. Developers may transfer land for parks and public recreation, or
  2. Developers may provide money for future parks, park equipment or recreational buildings.

About the bylaw update

We’re required to update the Parkland Dedication Bylaw based on provincial legislative changes before September 2022. As part of this update, we want to hear from residents and the development community about improving:

  • bylaw clarity
  • how we apply the bylaw
  • how we communicate about the bylaw

The Parkland Dedication Bylaw contains rates and limits, known as “caps”, on how high the parkland dedication fees can go. The rates are based on provincial legislation and the caps were set based on community engagement in 2018 and approved by City Council in 2019. Since the rates and limits were recently adopted, we’re not seeking input on that portion of the bylaw at this time.

This consultation is now closed and under review


Here is what we were asking for

  1. Learn about the Parkland Dedication Bylaw, including how it helps improve parks in Guelph and how it is used,
  2. Check out the proposed bylaw updates
  3. Then take a moment to ask a question, submit a comment or share your thoughts below.

Attend a public virtual open house on February 8

We’re hosting a facilitated virtual open house to share information about the Parkland Dedication Bylaw and give you an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Join us Tuesday, February 8 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. To participate, join the session using this link and password ParkLandDBL. You can also watch the live session on Facebook and guelph.ca/live.

A separate information session is being held for the development community on Tuesday, February 15 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

More than a bylaw

We’re looking at Guelph’s park needs holistically. The Parkland Dedication Bylaw is one part of a bigger project to consider future park needs for our growing city. Part of this work is a Park Plan that will:

  • Define our existing park system
  • Outline future challenges and opportunities facing our parks
  • Plan for an optimal parks and recreation spaces as our community grows and changes

The Park Plan is being completed as a part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to address mandatory legislative changes to the Parkland Dedication Bylaw before September 2022.

You can also share your thoughts on the Park Plan before February 17 on the Park Plan engagement page.
Consultation has concluded

We're an open book. Ask us anything about the Parkland Dedication Bylaw update.  we will be sure to get back to you within 3 business days.

  • Share Is there a document that tracks wording changes from the previous by-law? I would like to be able to comment specifically on any changes. on Facebook Share Is there a document that tracks wording changes from the previous by-law? I would like to be able to comment specifically on any changes. on Twitter Share Is there a document that tracks wording changes from the previous by-law? I would like to be able to comment specifically on any changes. on Linkedin Email Is there a document that tracks wording changes from the previous by-law? I would like to be able to comment specifically on any changes. link

    Is there a document that tracks wording changes from the previous by-law? I would like to be able to comment specifically on any changes.

    Susan Watson asked about 2 years ago

    Hi Susan,

    Thank you for your interest and engagement. We will be providing a redline version of the Parkland Dedication By-law as a part of the report for the Special Council Meeting on April 13. Please look out for that once the report is published prior to the meeting by the Clerks. Feel free to provide feedback at that time to me (Lily Yan: lily.yan@guelph.ca) and we will make sure the feedback is reviewed in our final phase of the by-law update prior to passage in July.

    Lily Yan

  • Share It seems that the bylaw would include school yards as parks. As you are aware, these are NOT available for public use during the day. Without these park areas, what is the area available during the day, and what is the area avaiulable outside the school day? on Facebook Share It seems that the bylaw would include school yards as parks. As you are aware, these are NOT available for public use during the day. Without these park areas, what is the area available during the day, and what is the area avaiulable outside the school day? on Twitter Share It seems that the bylaw would include school yards as parks. As you are aware, these are NOT available for public use during the day. Without these park areas, what is the area available during the day, and what is the area avaiulable outside the school day? on Linkedin Email It seems that the bylaw would include school yards as parks. As you are aware, these are NOT available for public use during the day. Without these park areas, what is the area available during the day, and what is the area avaiulable outside the school day? link

    It seems that the bylaw would include school yards as parks. As you are aware, these are NOT available for public use during the day. Without these park areas, what is the area available during the day, and what is the area avaiulable outside the school day?

    ralf.mesenbrink asked about 2 years ago

    The parkland dedication bylaw is a tool that the city uses to acquire parkland when development occurs.  It does not interact with how parks are defined or used.  Parks are available to all users inside and outside of school hours.  School property is not city parks, and the school board operate their lands with their own set of rules.

    The city and school boards sometimes enter into agreements for public use of the space, however even in those situations the use during school hours is exclusive to students and school board staff.

    It sounds like there is an interest in clearer distinction between city property and school board property, and perhaps clearer rules around how parks can be used, which staff can explore further through the Park Plan and the future Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

    school property parks
    school property parks
  • Share The exemption directly related to COVID-19 on page 9 seems strange to include. (It seems short sighted) Is this something that will be removed once the pandemic is over? Couldn't there instead by a statement saying something like the city can make exemptions for development in direct response to providing necessary supplies to resolve a local emergency situation? on Facebook Share The exemption directly related to COVID-19 on page 9 seems strange to include. (It seems short sighted) Is this something that will be removed once the pandemic is over? Couldn't there instead by a statement saying something like the city can make exemptions for development in direct response to providing necessary supplies to resolve a local emergency situation? on Twitter Share The exemption directly related to COVID-19 on page 9 seems strange to include. (It seems short sighted) Is this something that will be removed once the pandemic is over? Couldn't there instead by a statement saying something like the city can make exemptions for development in direct response to providing necessary supplies to resolve a local emergency situation? on Linkedin Email The exemption directly related to COVID-19 on page 9 seems strange to include. (It seems short sighted) Is this something that will be removed once the pandemic is over? Couldn't there instead by a statement saying something like the city can make exemptions for development in direct response to providing necessary supplies to resolve a local emergency situation? link

    The exemption directly related to COVID-19 on page 9 seems strange to include. (It seems short sighted) Is this something that will be removed once the pandemic is over? Couldn't there instead by a statement saying something like the city can make exemptions for development in direct response to providing necessary supplies to resolve a local emergency situation?

    Paul_ asked about 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question

    Yes, once the pandemic is over this exemption will be removed.  Taking something to council requires a significant lead time and the objective with the exemption is to ensure that these specific types of developments will not be slowed down by the time it takes staff to identify an agenda item, draft a report, propose a recommendation and receive direction from Council.  Council has approved this specific exemption already which is why it remains, and when it is no longer needed it will be removed.

    covid-19
    covid-19