Individual parks are established to achieve one or a combination of environmental, social and economic benefits.

The park system is structured to reflect the province's environmental diversity so that people for generations will be able to see, learn about and enjoy Alberta in its natural state.

A Holistic Planning Approach

Systems planning offers a practical way of looking at the entire parks network in a wider context. 

• Systems planning is based on a holistic view of parks and how they work together to achieve objectives and provide benefits.
• Its aim is a well-balanced system that provides and maintains natural environments for both conservation and recreation.

A key tool in systems planning is gap analysis. We conduct a province-wide gap analysis to:

• understand the contribution of sites to the current system; and
• identify the need to establish new park lands for both conservation and recreation.

Conservation gap analysis is based on a scientific framework that uses a coarse filter/fine filter approach. Recreation gaps are identified based on:

• demand for nature-based recreation opportunities; and
• the ability to supply the necessary facilities and a viable landbase.

Current and future parks are evaluated and measured against both objectives - conservation and recreation. All parks, regardless of classification, support some level or intensity of compatible recreation opportunities. Not all parks, however, contribute to park conservation targets.  

Establishing New Parks

One of four priority actions identified in Alberta's Plan for Parks is to:

• conserve landscapes - including identifying new parks to meet provincial recreation, tourism and conservation goals.

Through Alberta's Land-use Framework process, new lands are currently being identified to fill gaps in the system. This will be done in each of the seven main river basin planning regions in the province.  

New conservation and recreation areas will also be considered in the future through a provincial park nomination process as identified in the Plan for Parks.