Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg, Manitoba –
Following an event Saturday hosted by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAW), Rick Shone pledges to work with the federal government to designate the Assiniboine Forest as a National Urban Park. Focusing on environmental stewardship this week, Shone also committed to creating more green spaces in the City of Winnipeg.
Shone’s plan would:
1. Protect and enhance the urban forest;
2. Increase the amount of green space in the city by incentivizing green development on land currently occupied by surface parking lots;
3. Amend the Neighbourhood Liveability By-Law to allow residents to grow naturalized lawns;
4. Increase the number of naturalized areas in public parks, and incentivize the use of green stormwater management on public and private property.
“Our city needs more green spaces while also doing a better job of protecting the spaces we already have,” said Shone. “By making these changes, we can make Winnipeg a more enjoyable and livable city for everyone.”
Shone explained that removing parking minimums will allow for greater housing density, which is important for a growing city like Winnipeg. He also believes that focusing on smart infill and mixed-use development is key to creating more livable and sustainable communities.
“We need to be smart about how we grow as a city,” said Shone. “By making the right choices now, we can set ourselves up for success in the future. Since we can’t do everything overnight, it is my belief that incremental changes now can make a real difference for the future,” said Shone. “These initiatives take us one step closer to a city we can all be proud to live in.”
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