As Dave Harvey retires from his co-leadership position at Park People, he reflects on the incredible journey since founding the organization in 2011.
Why are events in parks important? How do grants fit into Park People’s larger goals for creating change in city parks?
Park clean-ups bring neighbours together, foster connection, and leave a lasting impact—explore our 5-step guide to get started.
Explore inspiring community-led events funded by our microgrants program, from land-based learning to nature walks and skill-sharing workshops.
Finding volunteers doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. Here are some of his top tips to create an engaged, connected, and joyful volunteer team.
Come together with community members, park professionals, and municipal staff at the 2025 Toronto Park Summit!
By donating to Park People, you’ll support vibrant parks for everyone.
Location
Toronto, Ontario
Read about the Ravine Strategy.
Learn more about the broader InTO The Ravines program.
For more information reach out to: chashie@parkpeople.ca
The InTO the Ravines Champions program offers people living near ravines training and support to learn, explore, and celebrate Toronto’s one-of-a-kind ravines system.
Twenty champions, paired in teams of two, take part in four training sessions on Toronto’s ravines, providing them with the knowledge and skills to plan and host their own event in one of these unique natural spaces.
Each team receive:
The Application for the 2024 InTO the Ravines Champions program is closed.
June 3, 2024
Applications Open
July 3, 2024
Applications Close
Mid July
Notification to successful champions
Aug 7, 2024
Training session – Introduction to our ravines (online)
Aug 14, 2024
Training session – Engagement & Event Planning in the Ravines (online)
Aug 21, 2024
Training session – Ravines as Vital Infrastructure: Equity and Climate Resilience (online)
Aug 28, 2024
Training session – Land-Based Learning: Indigenous History & Perspectives of the Ravines (in-person)
End of Aug, 2024
Release of the $600 microgrant
Sept 15 to Nov 1, 2024
Events period
Nov 1, 2024
Post-event evaluation
We’re looking for applicants who live near Toronto’s ravines, are unfamiliar with their history and significance, and may need help accessing them.
Priority will be given to historically marginalized communities, but all are welcome to apply.
Each applicant need to apply with a partner with whom they will be trained and host the event.
“A ravine is a type of landform created over time by running water. They are larger than gullies and smaller than valleys. They may or may not contain streams.” (see more on p.6 of Toronto’s Ravine Strategy).
Explore Toronto’s Interactive Map and select the Administrative Boundary -> Ravine and Nature Feature Protection By-Law filter.
No, you don’t need to have any prior experience in organizing events or within ravines to apply.
Successful applicants must participate in all four training sessions.
These sessions will provide essential information regarding event planning and the important role of ravines. During these training sessions, you will have the opportunity to engage with other champions and guest speakers.
Champions, InTO the ravines
How Maggie is helping her community dip into and see the green spaces and ravines.
It takes deliberate thinking and action to enjoy park and ravine spaces while ensuring they’re protected. How can you use ravine and park events to foster reciprocity and ensure the natural world benefits as much as the community does?
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.
TD Park People Grants support local leaders to organize environmental education, sustainability or stewardship events that bring people together across Canada.