As Dave Harvey retires from his co-leadership position at Park People, he reflects on the incredible journey since founding the organization in 2011.
Each year, we support inspiring older adults in Metro Vancouver to reconnect with nature by leading events in their local parks—sparking belonging, joy, and wellness in their communities.
Discover how Arts in the Parks is transforming Toronto’s green spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity—and how Park People helps make it all possible.
How colonialism plays out in park practices and how we can work together to embed reconciliation and decolonization.
Discover ways to help you host events in your local parks during extreme heat events.
Each year, Park People Summits bring together our growing network of urban park changemakers to connect, reflect, and explore what’s possible for more inclusive, community-powered parks in our cities.
By donating to Park People, you’ll support vibrant parks for everyone.
In this webinar, storyteller Hillary Clermont, historian and artist Philip Cote, and Indigenous grower Isaac Crosby connect Toronto’s Indigenous history to current Indigenous-led ecology work, to help understand how we can deepen our connection to the plants and animals of our land and ravines.
The webinar is held in English; French subtitles are available.
A Candid Conversation in Celebration of Park People’s 10 Year Anniversary
This webinar explores the barriers and opportunities for creating parks as natural places for engagement across differences.
*The webinar title comes from Jay Pitter, an award-winning placemaker whose practice mitigates growing divides in cities across North America.
The session is held in English; French subtitles are available.
Carolynne Crawley is a Mi’kmaw woman with mixed ancestry from the East Coast. She is dedicated to social and environmental…
Ambika is a Ph.D. candidate at the Daniels Faculty, University of Toronto. Her research is focused on recent immigrant engagement…
Proudly Franco-Albertan, Chúk’s passion lies in the interactions between culture, health and the environment. Outside of this work with Future…
Zahra is a public interest designer and strategist focused on shifting power to people who are typically underrepresented in institutions…
This webinar features a wide range of partnership models used in city parks across Canada. From community groups to conservancies, we explore the context underpinning each model and highlight its strengths and limitations. We also take a look at the differences between Canadian and American park partnership models.
Rooted in Park People’s Canadian City Parks Report and a decade of work on park governance, we share the latest opportunities and challenges emerging in Canada’s park partnerships.
Dave has decades of experience working in government on municipal and environmental issues. He excels at bringing partners together and…
Jake Tobin Garrett (he/him) is a writer, illustrator and public space policy and research consultant. He was previously Park People’s…
Our city and our ravines were shaped by past extreme weather events. Looking ahead, our ravines can help us be more climate-resilient. But first, we need to protect them.
In this webinar, David MacLeod, Senior Environmental Specialist with the City of Toronto, and Carbon Conversations TO explore how these natural spaces can mitigate climate impacts and the steps we must take to protect them.
Explore the relationship between public space, race, and systems of oppression in the public realm.
This webinar was inspired by urbanist and placemaker Jay Pitter.
It is held in English; French subtitles are available.
Gil (Guillermo) Penalosa is passionate about creating cities for all people; vibrant cities and healthy communities for everyone regardless of…
Tamika L. Butler is a national expert and speaker on issues related to building environment, equity, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion,…
Park People is excited to launch the 2024 Canadian City Parks Report, our sixth annual edition highlighting the most significant trends, issues, and practices shaping Canada’s city parks.
Watch our special launch webinar to explore our findings:
The webinar features an engaging discussion on the future of city parks, with guest speakers from the City of Victoria and Greenspace Alliance. They share opportunities and challenges in their work around collaborations and partnerships, across city departments, communities, non-profits, and more.
Adri Stark is specialized in research and policy at Park People, and co-author of the annual Canadian City Parks Report.…
Joy is the Manager of Research and Partnerships at Park People and facilitates national research and network engagement that supports…
Julia is the Food Systems Coordinator for the City of Victoria. She comes to the role after over 15 years…
Nicole DesRoches, born in Ottawa and living in Chelsea Québec, part of the National Capital Region, therefore living within the…
While large natural areas are critical, research shows that small-scale urban biodiversity projects—like pollinator gardens—are critical to healthy city ecosystems. In urban environments, every nook and cranny counts.
In this webinar, hear from experts and advocates on the ecological benefits of these small urban habitats, explore the policies and practices that support (or don’t) this shift and learn how you can start your own tiny habitat – right in your backyard or local park!
Landscape architect and member of the AAPQ, Caroline brought a deep knowledge of Montreal’s professional, municipal and community networks as…
Mahnaz Ghalib is passionate about the environment and works on innovative and sustainable solutions through community participation. Her journey to…
Carmen Rosen is an artist, singer, community organizer and Founding Artistic Director of Still Moon Arts Society. She has Art degrees…
Vibrant parks depend on engaged volunteers -the people-power behind park events as well as park fundraising and marketing efforts. In this webinar, we want to help you develop the creative skills you need to attract and retain park volunteers.
Watch the session to learn best practices for attracting and retaining volunteers, employing good governance practices, and managing burnout and attrition.
Brianna oversaw Park People’s Toronto Community Park Network, supporting new and existing local park groups across the city. In this…
Minaz worked at Park People as the Outreach Manager, overseeing the Sparking Change program. This program supports communities in Toronto’s…
Urban green spaces help mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing temperatures and lowering flood risk. However, unequal access to these spaces leaves many lower-income, racialized communities more vulnerable to these impacts. Addressing these inequities involves more equitable distribution of green space and changes in how we engage and involve communities in the design and planning of city parks.
Experts from across the country explore what environmental justice means for city parks and how the concept is being applied in Canada.
Larissa is a restorative circle keeper, published Indigenous and anti-racism researcher, award-winning ribbon skirt artist, and proudly passes on Métis…
Lorien Nesbitt seeks to create more liveable and equitable urban environments. During her career, she has had the privilege to…
CEED Canada (aka CEED) is a not-for-profit environmental education organization that provides tools and resources to MURB residents and property…
Park People launches the 2022 Canadian City Parks Report, the fourth annual report featuring the biggest trends, issues, and practices shaping Canada’s city parks.
In the webinar, you can hear directly from the Canadian City Parks Report authors—Adri Stark, Emily Riddle, and Jake Tobin Garrett and get the inside track on:
The session features an in-depth discussion moderated by Park People Board Chair Zahra Ebrahim. The webinar is held in English; French subtitles are available.
Emily Riddle is nehiyaw and a member of the Alexander First Nation in Treaty 6. She lives in amiskwaciwâskahikan. A…