Finding Common Ground Starts in Our Parks

As recent world events have made clear, we are struggling to understand one another. Political polarization is on the rise, and it’s eroding our ability to assume the best in others and to engage in meaningful, respectful dialogue.

While it’s tempting to wring our hands at the state of things, or to lose ourselves in doom scrolling, we won’t find solutions in more critique or cynicism. No, the answer lies closer to home. It’s on our streets, in our parks, and among our neighbours. 

To find common ground in a tumultuous time, we must cure the rampant social isolation that breeds distrust in the first place. We must find new ways to bring people together, and in doing so, build the empathy that’s required for our communities to thrive.

The Isolation Crisis, and Why It Matters

The data on loneliness in Canada’s cities is stark. According to the Toronto Foundation, 37% of Toronto residents feel lonely at least three days a week. Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver report similar trends. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization warns that social isolation and loneliness can have health impacts comparable to smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

This growing isolation doesn’t just erode our personal well-being; it undermines the social fabric that allows us to bridge political divides and address pressing challenges like climate change. If you don’t personally know or care about anyone with very different needs and experiences, you’ll feel no need to politically balance the interests of different groups. 

Thankfully, the quickest, most effective antidote to rampant isolation and growing polarization isn’t complex policy or sweeping rhetoric. It’s something we can all access, and it’s right here in our own neighbourhoods.

The Power of Parks to Build Bridges

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 a simple chat with a fellow parent at the playground, to planting seeds alongside volunteers in a community garden, parks hold the key to nurturing new connections. 

In an increasingly online world, where it’s easy to assume the worst in others, public spaces are training grounds for cooperation and cohesion across differences.

The power of park-based programs is transformative: Our latest Canadian City Parks report shows that 93% of people involved in park stewardship say it boosts their mental well-being, and 86% feel it strengthens their sense of belonging. Whether it’s organizing a cleanup, hosting a block party, or building a natural ice rink, working together to improve shared spaces can create a deep sense of purpose and camaraderie. It reminds us that we’re not individuals navigating a fractured world alone — we’re neighbours with the power to make things better.

From Connection to Collective Action

Focusing on the local doesn’t mean we need to ignore systemic issues or abandon political engagement. Rather, it’s about grounding our activism in real, human relationships with those around us. When we strengthen the ties in our neighbourhoods, we build the resilience needed to tackle bigger challenges. And we can do it in ways that are fun, fulfilling, and motivating.

Look around your community. What small things could you start today? Is there a neglected park crying out for care? A neighbour who could use a meal delivery? A space that could come alive with a free concert or family scavenger hunt? Don’t wait for someone else to take the lead  — invite others to join, celebrate the small wins, and watch as your efforts inspire others to do the same.

Not sure where to start? Join us at our regional network events in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, where community members, nature lovers, park professionals, and city staff come together to share ideas and strengthen our public spaces. You can also connect with inspiring local groups and organizations by taking part in community events in your city.

Not everyone needs to be a social organizer. You can contribute by simply saying hello to people you pass in the park, attending an event, or accepting a neighbor’s invitation. Every gesture, no matter how small, adds to the collective effort of rebuilding trust and connection. 

So, let’s step outside. Talk to strangers. Build bridges. We can counter the isolation that divides us and reclaim our common ground, in the small, joyful acts of creating community, together.