This year again, local leaders gathered their neighbours, built connections, and restored nature in projects big and small. The movement continues to expand, and we're pleased to share just some of these impacts in our 2025 Impact Report.
As urban parks face growing demands amid climate change, inequality and shrinking resources, the people shaping their future need space to reconnect, share ideas and imagine new ways of working together.
This guide walks you through how to start and grow a park group in Toronto, from planning your first meeting to organizing activities, reaching new people, and navigating City permits, funding, and support.
Explore low-cost, high-impact supports that park-based organizations can provide to equity-deserving communities to help make nature spaces and programs more accessible and enjoyable.
Parc Jarry in Montreal, Toronto’s waterfront, CRAB Park in Vancouver… People are coming together to protect the places they love.
What could Toronto’s parks look like in the years ahead? Our 2026 Parks Platform brings together ideas from Torontonians and four priorities for a more resilient, joyful and connected city.
Hosted by Park People and World Urban Parks, this global gathering will bring together 450+ park leaders from Canada and around the world to share and explore practical and creative park and public space ideas, and seed new relationships, collaborations, and ways of working.
By donating to Park People, you’ll support vibrant parks for everyone.
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Mathew Hupfield has worked in the environmental and Indigenous non-profit sectors for the past 15 years. He previously worked at Park People as Director of Development and as the Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Pembina Institute’s B.C. office. He also spent three years developing the New Relationship Trust Foundation, B.C.’s largest Indigenous-run education charity, while also spearheading their partnership and marketing efforts. He has held fundraising and management roles at Evergreen in both the national and regional B.C. offices. Mathew is a member of Wasauksing First Nation, located on the eastern shores of Georgian Bay, Ontario. His passion for the environment, sustainable urban systems and capacity development are all key drivers for his support of Park People. Mathew currently resides in the beautiful B.C. Interior with his family in the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan People.