We are looking for two Projects Managers based in the Greater Toronto area. Join Park People and help strengthen community involvement in urban parks across the Park People network in major Canadian cities, including supporting programs delivered in the City of Toronto.
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Explore inspiring community-led events funded by our microgrants program, from land-based learning to nature walks and skill-sharing workshops.
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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Jun 16, 2025
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia
For more information reach out to: jralamboarisoa@parkpeople.ca
The social benefits of parks are especially important for seniors. A study from CARP found that living near a park helps seniors avoid loneliness at a rate that’s four times greater than that of having children. Yet seniors represent just 4% of park users, despite being 20% of the population.
The Senior Park Champions programs help address this gap. Each year, we support eight seniors in Metro Vancouver* to plan and host three park events, while receiving hands-on training and mentorship from past Champions.
This year, become a Senior Park Champion and lead activities like art classes, knitting circles, birdwatching, Indigenous plant walks, forest bathing or Tai Chi – bringing your community together and closer to nature!
Each Champion receives:
*See eligible cities below.
0+
seniors engaged in greenspaces
0
senior champions running community programming
0%
of participants feel better connected to their community
May 21, 2025
Applications open
May 28, June 5 & 11, 2025
Online info sessions on Zoom
May 28 to June 20, 2025
Phone or online interviews
June 16, 2024
Applications Close
June 23, 2025
Notification to successful champions
July 2025
Mandatory Training sessions
July 2025 to Jan 2026
Park activites
Jan 2026
Post-event evaluations
People 60 years and older who live in one of the following Metro Vancouver cities are eligible to participate: Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, or Surrey.
We prioritize individuals from historically marginalized communities, particularly those who are racialized, newcomers, living with disabilities, and/or part of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Through outreach with local partners, our goal is for 100% of Senior Park Champions and 75% of program participants to identify as members of one or more of these equity-deserving groups.
To apply for the 2025 Senior Park Champions program, please fill in our quick google form before June 16, 2025.
You can also express your interest by emailing Joy Ralamboarisoa at jralamboarisoa@parkpeople.ca.
We’ll schedule a short phone or online call to confirm your eligibility, share more information about the program, and answer any questions you may have.
We’re here to support you! You can connect with us in the following ways:
By email: Reach out to Joy Ralamboarisoa at jralamboarisoa@parkpeople.ca
By Zoom drop-in session: Ask us anything, no registration required. Just click the link to join on one of the following dates:
Do you work with seniors who could benefit from this program? We’d love to host an info session for your organization.
Contact us to book a presentation or learn more.
No, you don’t need to have any prior experience in organizing events to apply. Our program is designed specifically to train and equip seniors with the necessary knowledge and tips to lead their events in parks successfully.
You can apply individually or as a group of two. You will both co-lead the activities (co-champions) if applied as a pair.
Successful applicants are required to attend all three training sessions, which will cover essential topics such as event planning, community outreach, effective communication, and accessibility. You’ll also have the chance to connect with mentors who are past Senior Park Champions.
Training Session 1: When: Half-day, End of JuneFormat: Online
Training Session 2 When: Half-day, First week of JulyFormat: In person, in a park in Vancouver.
Training Session 3When: Full day, Second week of JulyFormat: In person, at the Park People office located in the Werklab coworking space at 1275 Venables Street, Vancouver.
Once you’ve accepted the role of Champion, we’ll confirm the locations, dates, and times of all sessions and send you everything you need to be prepared.
If you’re interested in the program but unsure if you can attend all mandatory sessions, feel free to contact us, we’re happy to discuss your situation.
When you accept your role as a champion, you’ll receive a form to specify your preferred payment method (cheque or e-transfer) and provide your personal information. Each champion will receive a $600 honorarium after completing three activities.
Unfortunately, no. Due to limited space, Park Champion roles are only available to new applicants. However, you are welcome to apply to be a mentor for the new cohort.
Yes. You are welcome to deliver your activities in any language you are comfortable with and that best helps you engage your community.
The training will be held in English but can be translated into French (our team is bilingual).
Champions, Seniors, Training
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.
Here are some valuable tips to create a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment for participants of all abilities, backgrounds, ages, and gender identities!
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.
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.