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OVERVIEW

Cornerstone Parks

Location

Canada-wide
Montreal, Quebec
Toronto, Ontario
Vancouver, British Columbia

Cornerstone Parks

For people living in cities, public parks are vital sites of connection. They’re spaces for meeting our neighbours, engaging with nature, and mitigating the harmful impacts of climate change. But large urban parks also face unique challenges, often requiring more resources for maintenance, operations, and programming. 

Park People created the Cornerstone Parks program to support and connect the organizations working in large urban parks across Canada. We’re the only national network dedicated to ensuring that these park leaders can access resources, learn from one another, and maximize the impact and influence of their important work. 

Here’s what we’re up to: 

  • Supporting our partners to accurately evaluate and communicate the health, well-being and social benefits of their work 
  • Building the capacity of park-based NGOs operating in large urban parks by providing them with direct funding, networking and mentorship
  • Offering informative workshops, research, and resources on the latest issues and best practices from cities across the country

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volunteers engaged in stewardship restoration

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of participants say their mental health is improved from stewardship activities

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m2 of invasive species removed


Cornerstone Parks Network

Park Use and Stewardship Reports

Park People and our Cornerstone partners are seeking to better understand the link between parks and health. Our groundbreaking research shows that park stewardship has tremendous benefits for our mental and physical health, for our sense of social connection, and for our overall well-being.

Made possible by the generous support of an anonymous donor and

InTO the Ravines creates opportunities for Torontonians to come together to explore the ravines, learn about their social and ecological benefits, and champion their preservation.

The Sparking Change program supports equity-deserving community groups to transform their parks into powerful engines of community development. 

Arts in the Parks brings free, family-friendly arts events and activities to parks outside Toronto's downtown core.