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.
Jan 1, 2019 Toronto, Ontario
In July 2018 and November 2018, Park People worked with the City of Toronto and over 100 volunteers to conduct a public life study of the King Street Pilot.
The study used a behavioural observation approach to examine the use of the new public spaces that were created along the street as part of the pilot between Bathurst and Jarvis Streets. The purpose was to better understand how the new public spaces were working, including who was using them and for what activities, in order to evaluate their impact and determine recommendations for potential improvements.
Public life study
From reduced parkland requirements and changes to municipal planning powers to bike lane removals, provincial decisions are having lasting impacts on Toronto’s parks and public spaces.