Park People’s Executive Director, Erika Nikolai, has been honoured with the Distinguished Individual Award from World Urban Parks—an international recognition that celebrates her leadership and the growing national movement Park People has helped build here in Canada.
Why are events in parks important? How do grants fit into Park People’s larger goals for creating change in city parks?
The emerging stream of the Park People Nature Connect Fund provides up to $5,000 to grassroots and registered organizations across Canada that connect people with nature, foster ecological stewardship, and restore urban parks and green spaces.
The scaling stream of the Park People Nature Connect Fund offers up to $20,000 to registered organizations across Canada that connect people with nature while fostering ecological stewardship and restoring urban parks.
Learn more about green social prescribing, an evolving practice that encourages individuals to reestablish connections with nature and one another to enhance their mental, physical, and social wellbeing.
A reflection on the BEING BLACK IN PUBLIC Survey Report, exploring how Black communities experience parks and public spaces, and what fosters joy and belonging.
How do we build a healthier, greener, more joyful Toronto? We start at the park. Discover how communities across the city have transformed their green spaces over the past fifteen years. Then roll up your sleeves and help shape what comes next.
By donating to Park People, you’ll support vibrant parks for everyone.
Park People
Jul 3, 2025 Canada-wide
Activating parks, building community and creating change across Canada.
“We often have limits in our heads, where we don’t always feel capable of taking action. I overcame this barrier by meeting other people who are doing great things in the parks. Thanks to the Park People program, I was able to get the myth out of my head that I am limited. Everything is possible!”
Program participant, Montreal Urban Park Champions
As we face some of the most significant challenges in generations, parks remain relevant in addressing climate change, social cohesion, and political polarization. Parks and public spaces are more than physical landscapes; they’re where we learn to share, to compromise, and to adapt to the needs of people we don’t yet know.
From the community leaders we support in activating their local parks to the municipalities that use our insights to create better park policy, the movement continues to expand. We’re pleased to share just some of these impacts in our 2024 Impact Report.
Small actions in parks often lead to unexpected change. A senior in Vancouver might become inspired to start organizing her own community events via our TD Park People Grants, or an Arts in the Parks participant who discovers a new path as an artist.
Park People’s future is rooted in connection. We’ll continue to support the people and ideas that help public spaces thrive.
A little-known natural area in Montreal’s west end became the future Grand parc de l’Ouest thanks to decades of community-led advocacy.
Are you currently running your park group with a growing number of volunteers? Is your group getting more ambitious and looking for some direction around governance? The committee model could be useful for your group.
Creating safe environments in parks means recognizing that safety is experienced differently, and working with communities to balance those needs so everyone can feel welcome, respected, and at ease.