Barbecues and birdwatching: More Canadian households are enjoying parks and public greenspaces

Well into August, the trees are green, the air is warm and households in Canada are taking to parks and public greenspaces to enjoy nature’s beauty that the summer season has to offer.

In 2021, 91% of Canadian households lived within a 10-minute trip of a park or public greenspace, up from 87% in 2017. Of those that lived near a park in 2021, 85% visited the park during the previous year.

Many households visited parks that were farther away from home. In 2021, 67% of households reported that they visited a park that was over 10 minutes away from their home, with 7% reporting that the only park they visited was over 10 minutes away from their home.

For some, a visit to the park or public greenspace is an opportunity to enjoy some sweet summer pleasures.

In 2021, 24% of households reported that they had a picnic or barbecue, while 10% reported that they went camping.

Over 1 in 10 households (11%) reported that they participated in birdwatching or photography.

Open to everyone from sun-bathers to birdwatchers and everything in between, parks and greenspaces are an important part of communities across Canada.

Overall, 35% of households reported that they visited a park or greenspace that was close to home more than once a week in 2021.

Summer is in full swing, and in most areas the greenspaces won’t be green for too much longer, so get out there, use them while you can and enjoy some more days of summer fun!