Federal parks are protected natural and cultural heritage areas managed by Parks Canada on behalf of Canadians. The system includes national parks (protecting representative natural landscapes), national historic sites (commemorating significant events, people, and places), and national marine conservation areas (protecting marine ecosystems). Parks Canada manages over 170 national historic sites, 47 national parks, and 5 national marine conservation areas across every province and territory. For municipalities, national parks and sites can be economic drivers through tourism while also creating planning considerations—gateway communities serve park visitors, federal lands are exempt from local taxes, and development near park boundaries may face restrictions. Federal parks within or near municipalities represent protected green space that benefits regional ecosystems and quality of life. Municipalities sometimes partner with Parks Canada on trail connections, tourism promotion, and heritage interpretation.