As Dave Harvey retires from his co-leadership position at Park People, he reflects on the incredible journey since founding the organization in 2011.
Park People’s Executive Director, Erika Nikolai, has been honoured with the Distinguished Individual Award from World Urban Parks—an international recognition that celebrates her leadership and the growing national movement Park People has helped build here in Canada.
The programs offers community members from equity-deserving neighbourhoods training and coaching to help them enhance or transform vacant or underused spaces into public green areas.
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Learn more about the impact of Canada’s large urban parks’ stewardship initiatives—from healthier ecosystems and stronger community well-being to essential support for city services.
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APPLICATION DEADLINE
Nov 21, 2025
Location
Montreal, Quebec
For more information reach out to: czerini-lereste@parkpeople.ca
The Montreal Urban Park Champions mentoring program offers community members from equity-deserving neighbourhoods training and coaching to help them enhance or transform vacant or underused spaces into public green areas.
Participating groups, whether beginners or experienced, commit to reimagining an underused space – such as a paved area, wasteland or vacant lot – into a green space that fosters connection among local residents. The Champions receive training, tools, and support to convert these spaces into community gardens, local parks or play areas.
To support the process, a mapping tool* is available to collectively and collaboratively identify, submit, and categorize vacant or underused spaces, with the goal of reimagining their use – whether temporary or permanent.
Ready to bring a forgotten plot of land back to life ? Whether you have a specific idea for a space or simply want to get involved, we look forward to hearing from you!
Benefits:
The program is delivered in French.
Oct 15, 2025
Applications open
Applications close
Dec 2025
Notification to the Champions
Feb 2026
First workshop
April 2026
Second workshop
April – Oct 2026
Implementation of land transformation projects
Sept 2026
Closing program workshop at the Montreal Park People Forum
Dec 2026
Program review
The program is open to:
Both experienced organizations and beginner or recently created groups are welcome. We especially encourage groups working in underserved neighbourhoods or with equity-deserving communities* to apply.
Types of land:
Priority is given to fully underused sites rather than to small areas limited to the surroundings of a building.
It is not required to have a site proposal in order to submit an application.
Please fill out this application form*.It should take about 10 minutes to complete.
Do you have a question about the program or need help completing your application ? Contact Chloé Zerini-Le Reste at czerini-lereste@parkpeople.ca.
To address the inequitable distribution of resources in the parks sector, we give priority to people from / working in underserved neighbourhoods or with equity-deserving communities:
This refers to an abandoned space not officially recognized by the City, such as a paved area, a vacant lot, or wasteland.
To identify these types of spaces, you can use the LANDE mapping tool*, which helps support community-led reclamation of vacant land. Some non-active sites are already listed, but you can also suggest your own site*.
Explore our leaflet* showcasing several inspiring examples of vacant land transformation. Projects can include green spaces, community gardens, social spaces with benches and picnic tables, self-service libraries, murals and more.
Depending on the Champions’ resources and ideas, these initiatives can range from simple greening and landscaping projects to more ambitious permanent transformations.
Experience in activating or animating parks and green spaces is an asset, but not a prerequisite for becoming a Montreal Urban Parks Champion. Feel free to apply if this topic interests you and you want to get involved. Supported projects can vary in size and level of investment.
The program includes three workshops in 2026:
Participation in all three workshops is mandatory. A financial compensation will be offered to help cover participation costs for each workshop.
Champions, Equity
TD Park People Grants support local leaders to organize environmental education, sustainability or stewardship events that bring people together across Canada.
Montreal's Urban Park Champions mentoring program offers dedicated community members from equity-deserving neighbourhoods training and coaching opportunities to help them organize a series of two activities in their local parks.