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How the City of North Vancouver is addressing the inclusion gap in park stewardship programs

This case study is part of the 2023 Canadian City Parks Report, showcasing Inspiring projects, people, and policies from across Canada that offer tangible solutions to the most pressing challenges facing city parks.

Summary

  • The City of North Vancouver is working to better engage equity-deserving groups in its longstanding Park Stewards program, including people who are underhoused, newcomers, and at-risk youth.
  • Outreach strategies include building partnerships with local community organizations, organizing stewardship events tailored to specific groups, and conducting participant exit interviews with honoraria.
  • Steps taken to address barriers include providing free bus passes to stewardship events, arranging for staff to travel with participants to events, and conducting regular in-person outreach visits to partner organizations.

In Park People’s recent survey of stewardship program participants in large urban parks, 97% said stewardship contributes to their mental well-being, and 90% to their physical health. Yet, our survey also hinted at critical gaps in who has access to these benefits, with participants disproportionately identifying as cis-gendered women, able-bodied and white.

Two people dealing with invasive plant in a lake, with building in the background
Park stewardship program, Stanley Park, Vancouver, Stanley Park Ecology Society

In North Vancouver, the city was noticing similar gaps in its City Park Stewards program—a city-led initiative established in 2001 that offers monthly volunteer events where residents can engage in activities like invasive pulls, native plantings, and educational workshops. To help reach under-represented groups, the city applied for a $5000 grant from BC Healthy Communities intended to support upstream health benefits in the community.

“We applied with the idea that we could enhance community cohesion and sense of belonging through the park stewardship program by increasing inclusivity and diversity.”

Anu Garcha, Planning Assistant at the City of North Vancouver

When the grant was successful, the city began outreach to partner organizations that serve diverse populations including underhoused communities, newcomers, and at-risk youth, as well as promoting through other city programs like English classes at the public library.

“Building these relationships is very important because it helps us connect with different people in the community.”

Anu Garcha

At the end of the events, city staff invite participants to share feedback about their experience in a voluntary exit interview. The interview includes prompts about whether participants felt welcome and included, the impact of the events on their sense of connection to others and the environment, and ideas for improvement. Importantly, interview participants are offered honoraria in recognition of their time and insights.

Participants have shared many benefits from the program, including discovering new green spaces, learning more about local ecology, and making new friends.

City staff are taking direction from the interviews to continue maximizing these benefits, said Angela Negenman, Environmental Coordinator at the City of North Vancouver.

A woman removing invasive plants
Park stewardship program, Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, Vancouver

“For those experiencing homelessness, maybe this is something that could give them an edge to get a landscaping job, right? If we are able to figure out what those things are through this process, we’ll be able to improve the program.”

Angela Negenman, Environmental Coordinator at the City of North Vancouver

The conversations have also unearthed important barriers. For example, city staff learned that getting to the events can be a challenge—not just in terms of accessing transportation, but also feeling comfortable venturing to new parts of the city. In response, the city has provided free bus passes to participants, and when possible, a staff member from the partner organization accompanies participants to the park.

“I wouldn’t have thought of [these barriers] if they hadn’t been shared with us. It’s definitely eye-opening.”

Angela Negenman

The city held a community meeting with residents who selected a smaller 10,000 square foot space in the park to be a programmed pollinator habitat, which would be stewarded by the community group Cianchino created with ongoing support from the city. In the future Cianchino said she wants to implement a QR code system in locations identified for potential naturalization asking residents to let the city know how they currently use the space.

Supporting community stewards will be a key part of the project’s ongoing success. Working with volunteers, Cianchino led the group’s first “bio blitz,” where residents measure the number of pollinators before the planting of native species this fall. Cianchino also works with the group to discuss what people can do in their own yards to support naturalization efforts. The core of the Eco Park Strategy, she said, is a series of linked habitats and green corridors,

“and you can’t just do that through public land. It’s critical that we educate landowners and help them build capacity to naturalize their spaces in a manner that works for them.”

Karley Cianchino, City of Brampton Environmental Project Specialist

Another learning is that outreach is more effective ‘offline,’ through posters and in-person visits, and must be ongoing, as there is high turnover at many of these organizations. For example, participants from a local shelter are often only there for short-term stays.

It’s not just participants who benefit from the park stewards program. For the city, the program is important in educating the public, building ongoing stewardship habits, and restoring degraded natural areas.

Another unexpected benefit is a morale boost for parks staff. Negenman noted that for operations staff involved with the program, engaging directly with the community and seeing public education in action “just gives them a different perspective on the work.”

These are benefits that Negenman knows firsthand, too: “it’s definitely inspiring, it fills my bucket.”

Recommendations

  • Create a welcoming entry point for people who are new to stewardship by hosting a custom kick-off event in partnership with a local organization that serves the community you are trying to reach.
  • Conduct interviews with stewardship participants from equity-deserving communities as a way to build relationships and better understand potential barriers, being sure to offer honoraria.
  • Commit to ongoing, in-person outreach visits to community partner organizations, recognizing that there is often frequent turnover in the people these organizations serve.

How Vancouver uses innovative mapping to guide equity-led parkland investment

This case study is part of the 2023 Canadian City Parks Report, showcasing Inspiring projects, people, and policies from across Canada that offer tangible solutions to the most pressing challenges facing city parks.

Summary

  • VanPlay is Vancouver’s ambitious parks and recreation master plan, addressing equity, population growth, and evolving demographics to ensure green spaces are meeting needs across the city.
  • Analyzing factors like park access, low barrier recreation demand, and tree canopy coverage, the master plan ensures efficient decision-making and targeted policies to address historical inequities.
  • VanPlay proposes an integrated strategy, including bike lanes, revitalizing urban streams, and adding network enhancers for a more vibrant, connected, and accessible parks system.

The Vancouver Park Board is now four years into their 25-year parks and recreation master plan, VanPlay. With a focus on equity, population growth, and evolving demographics, this strategy sets the stage for investments in green spaces and ensures the city keeps up with emerging needs.

While the city now boasts more parks than it did 25 years ago, rapid densification has resulted in a one-third decrease in park space per person. To tackle this challenge, the master plan offers a toolkit for efficient decision-making, accommodating diverse needs and user groups.

What sets this strategy apart is its integration of equity principles, including examinations of intersectionality, privilege, and oppression. At the heart of VanPlay is the goal of rectifying historical inequities in park access and quality across different neighbourhoods. VanPlay positions the City of Vancouver as a leader in this area.

VanPlay employs geospatial data to identify underserved areas that require increased park investments. These areas, known as Initiative Zones, are identified through an analysis of three key factors: park access gaps, demand for low barrier recreation, and tree canopy coverage. With the option to layer additional factors over time, such as income, community engagement, capital investments, and demographic data, the Park Board can gain a deeper understanding of nuanced needs and can effectively target key policy areas.

People running and walking their dog on a footpath along the water
Seawall, Vancouver, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, 2021

A significant priority of VanPlay is its water strategy. Vancouver, a city renowned for its connection to the waterfront and beaches, has unfortunately buried 91% of its urban streams. VanPlay enhances biodiversity and rainfall management by revitalizing these streams and bringing them back to the surface. This initiative simultaneously creates more natural spaces in the city, provides new amenities for residents, and helps manage rainwater during storms. It is a significant win for biodiversity and climate resilience.

When it comes to public space, streets play a crucial role. In Vancouver, streets occupy 32% of the city’s land area, compared to 11% for parks. Recognizing this untapped potential, VanPlay encourages the transformation of streets into public spaces. Collaborating with Planning and Engineering, the master plan suggests the creation of parklets, street closures, laneway activations, and more to meet the growing demand for public space.

A woman on an e-scooter in a bike lane
Bike lane, City of Vancouver

Connectivity is another key focus of VanPlay. Vancouver already boasts the world’s longest continuous waterfront trail, the iconic 28 km seawall. Building on this success, VanPlay aims to expand the city’s network of bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. The master plan also introduces “network enhancers,” such as bike repair stations, wayfinding signage, lighting, and seating. These elements not only improve connectivity but also enhance safety, utility, and overall enjoyment between destinations.

Recommendations

  • Invest in data-informed tools using an equity-based lens that can help allocate scarce resources where they’re needed most.
  • Collaborate with transportation and other related departments to create a plan for the funding and operations of streets converted to temporary, permanent, or flexible pedestrianized public spaces.
  • Explore approaches to advance a more ‘connected’ park system, by harmonizing parks with blue spaces, other urban parks, and bike lanes.

Further Reading:

In this full-time, 8-week contract role, the Sustainability Program Coordinator will focus on engaging communities, hosting vibrant events, and providing training to support park volunteers who are passionate about building inclusive and thriving public parks.

Park People works to advance city parks as essential spaces to connect people to each other and the rest of nature. 

The position has been filled.

Eligibility Criteria:

Canada Summer Jobs funds this position. To be eligible to apply for this position, candidates must: 

  • Be between 15 and 30 years of age;
  • Be able to commit to the full term of employment;
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment.

As a Sustainability Program Coordinator, you will:

  • Assist in coordinating and delivering Park People programs, workshops, outdoor gatherings, and community events for equity-deserving groups, both in-person and virtually
  • Support outreach efforts, including recruiting champions and volunteers for events
  • Assist in delivering training programs to empower community champions with the skills and knowledge to lead park-based initiatives.
  • Build and maintain relationships with community members, fostering long-term engagement and collaboration.
  • Provide administrative support, including tracking and evaluating summer park programs
  • Actively participate in organization-wide activities, training, and meetings to stay aligned with Park People’s mission and values.

The skills and experience you bring to the role include:

  • Experience with event coordination, planning, and supporting in-person and virtual gatherings that are tailored to community needs
  • Able to engage with community members and partners through clear and impactful messaging; excellent verbal/written communication in English.  Proficiency in additional languages is an asset.
  • Knowledge or experience in intercultural and intergenerational settings, ideally  in sustainability, community work, and climate action-oriented environments
  • Digital skills: ability to leverage technology for outreach, planning, and content creation
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently towards project deadlines
  • Understanding of anti-oppression and equity principles and practices
  • Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to respond effectively to changing needs.
  • Drivers License and access to a vehicle is an asset

Location: This position requires residence in the Metro Vancouver Area. It is a hybrid role with in-person events and meetings.  

Hours: 35 hours per week. Flexible working hours required, some evenings and/or weekends.

Hourly Rate:  $27/hr

Application Deadline: May 30, 2025

Anticipated Start Date:  June 23, 2025

Park People is a great place to work:

  • We have an amazing work culture with smart, engaged colleagues who want to learn and improve while having fun.
  • We work with colleagues across the country and have a strong culture of collaboration that supports a hybrid in-person and remote workplace.
  • We value flexibility and work-life balance for our team members and offer flexible work hours.
  • We provide you the chance to lead change and have an impact in communities across Canada.

Please send your resume and cover letter in one electronic file to hr@parkpeople.ca. We are thankful for all applications. We will only contact candidates invited for an interview. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at hr@parkpeople.ca to provide your contact information. 

How an agreement between the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks provides a path for shared cultural planning

This case study is part of the 2024 Canadian City Parks Report, showcasing Inspiring projects, people, and policies from across Canada that offer tangible solutions to the most pressing challenges facing city parks.

Summary

  • A cooperation agreement between Metro Vancouver Regional Parks and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation provides co-governance mechanisms for təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park.
  • The park is part of the Nation’s traditional territory and was the site of an ancestral village.
  • Joint-member committees help coordinate shared decision-making and planning for projects in the park.

In Metro Vancouver, a ground-breaking agreement between a government agency—Metro Vancouver Regional Parks—and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation shows a different way of managing parks and highlighting their past and present cultural value. 

At 2,560 acres, təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park is two and a half times the size of Vancouver’s Stanley Park and receives 1.2 million visitors per year. The park was also the site of the largest ancestral village within the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. 

təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park. Credit: Metro Vancouver Regional Parks.

Gabriel George, a Tsleil-Waututh Nation member and also the Nation’s Director of Treaty Lands and Resources Development said that a lot of the Nation’s territory falls into parkland “so it’s been something that historically has isolated us and disconnected us from our land. I think the importance of trying to engage and have partnerships…is an important way for us to exert our rights.”

Mike Redpath, Director of Parks for Metro Vancouver Regional Parks said that Metro Vancouver Regional Parks began working with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in 2017 on developing a “Cultural Planning and Cooperation Agreement,” which was signed in 2020. The agreement outlines a shared vision, guiding principles, and governance for the park. These include, among others, protection of natural resources, promotion of the site for recreational use, and increased public awareness of Tsleil-Waututh Nation cultural history.

“There’s a strong acknowledgement within the agreement and the relationship that it is public land; however, there was a traditional use of the site and the agreement strives to find a balance between the two,” Redpath said. 

Good governance is a cornerstone of a successful partnership. The cooperation agreement contains two mechanisms for joint-governance: a Leadership Committee and a Technical Committee, which include both members from the Nation and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. 

Projects are prioritized in an annual work plan by the Technical Committee, which is then approved by the Leadership Committee and submitted during an annual budget process. Each individual project includes an “engagement agreement,” which outlines deliverables and ensures both partners understand roles and responsibilities.  

The agreement also includes economic development policies, such using Tsleil-Waututh approved contractors in the park to support local entrepreneurs. 

“We had an economy in place that was basically stripped from us,” George said. “We had currencies older than paper. We had systems of trade. So we lost that.” He noted that his people used to harvest clams for thousands of years, but then had to “sneak around at night…because they weren’t allowed.” so seeking out these economic opportunities is “our inherent right.”

Although the cooperation agreement was signed just four years ago, there have been several significant projects that have been implemented since then, with more on the way. 

The first was a park renaming in 2021, which changed the park’s name to təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park. Prior to this, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks had not engaged in any renaming of the regional park system to traditional place names with First Nations communities. 

For George, the term “renaming” doesn’t quite fit, however. “It’s more than that,” he said.

“It’s recognizing the real name of that place. It’s important because we need to be represented. We need to be seen. We need to be heard on our own territory.”

Gabriel George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation member and Nation’s Director of Treaty Lands and Resources Development

Redpath also said it provided Metro Vancouver Parks with a naming precedent that could be used in other places. Indeed, another regional park has just had its name changed from Colony Farm Regional Park to ƛ̓éxətəm (tla-hut-um) Regional Park–a name gifted by the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation that translates to “we welcome you.”

Another joint project was the just completed installation of a welcome pole in the area of the Nation’s traditional village site. Other projects have included environmental restoration work, interpretive programming, and the development of a Cultural Heritage Study that will better understand the depth of cultural history of the park.

While it took time to implement the agreement, Redpath said it provides many benefits. Staff are “able to pick up the phone and talk to someone at the Nation who’s a familiar face. It helps advance projects together and sometimes faster as well.” 

The willingness to try doing things differently is key to success. “It’s a change process,” Redpath said, adding that it’s a different way of doing business in many ways. He stressed that early and ongoing communication is key for the trust-building necessary for a strong partnership.

“The agreement is a piece of paper, but the relationships and the conversations are really what make it successful.”

Mike Redpath, Director of Parks for Metro Vancouver Regional Parks

George echoed these sentiments. “It can be so easy to not change things,” he said, but it’s important to push outside of comfort zones and do things differently. “You can’t fix all the issues, but when you approach the work, think about what kind of legacy you can create.”

“I think for Indigenous Nations, parks can be important places to occupy and to reclaim,” he said, adding that they’ve seen big successes in some of their relationships to their parks. “This is our home. We think of it as an extension of our community.”

Recommendations 

  • Ensure regular ongoing communication touchpoints, such as individual project agreements, so roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.
  • Explore the use of jointly-staffed formal committees to allow for shared governance.
  • Take the necessary time to establish good communication and trust between partners to ensure long-term success.

Fundraising is a great way to build the capacity of your community park group. Below are some key provincial and municipal grants that could help fund your next awesome park project.

Environmental Grants and Funding

Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation Grants and Scholarships (Lower Mainland)

Offers bus grants, awards and funds for legacy and environmental stewardship programs that nurture nature and connect people to nature in Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks. Learn more

Port of Vancouver (Vancouver)

Invests in community groups and environmental organizations that support conservation efforts and address environmental risks of the port-related activity. Learn more

Vancity enviroFund™ program (BC)

Supports lighter living initiatives that encourage communities to live lighter and gain more of what matters – more time for ourselves and for connecting with others and our natural world, quality long-lasting goods, affordable lives, service to our communities, health, security and wellbeing. Learn more

Community Building Grants and Funding

City of Vancouver Neighbourhood Matching Fund (Vancouver)

Provides support for community groups to build community and neighbourhood connections while enhancing parks or other public spaces. Learn more

Vancouver Senior Champions (Vancouver)

Offers Metro Vancouver seniors training and support to organize fun park activities, fostering social connections and physical activity among elders in their local parks and green spaces. Learn more

Community Gaming Grants (BC)

Offers grants to not-for-profit organizations throughout BC., to support their delivery of ongoing programs and services that meet the needs of their communities. Learn more

Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association Public Space Vibrancy Grant (Vancouver)

Provides $2500 grants to support creatives bring their ideas to life and enhance Downtown Vancouver’s public spaces. Proposals can include anything including art installations, fitness classes, dance performances, educational experiences, beautification projects, and craft markets. Learn more

Neighbourhood Small Grants (BC)

Helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building a community. Learn more

Plan H Community Connectedness Grants (BC)

Supports communities as they take multi-sectoral action to explore, learn, and innovate, enhancing community cohesion and sense of belonging. Learn more

Port of Vancouver (Vancouver)

Funds opportunities to support local organizations, programs, and initiatives in our neighbouring communities that enrich the lives of the people who live and work there. Learn more

United Way Community Fund (BC)

Allocates funds to local non-profits, in collaboration with community volunteers across different sectors. Learn more

Public Art Grants and Funding

Arts Creative Spark Vancouver (Vancouver)

Supports emerging artists across all artistic and cultural disciplines living in the City of Vancouver who have an interest in building their careers and working with young people in an arts or culture-based capacity. Learn more

BC Alliance for Arts + Culture (BC)

Provides a list of organizations that gift funding to a project and/or individual related to arts and culture. There are several different levels of public funding available to artists and arts, culture and heritage organizations, as well as a wide range of private funding avenues. Learn more

City of Vancouver Cultural Grants Program (Vancouver)

Aims to celebrate, elevate, and support the range of creative people, projects, and organizations who contribute to Vancouver’s diverse creative stories. Learn more

Metro Vancouver Cultural Grant (Vancouver)

Provides grants to arts and culture organizations for projects that benefit residents of the region. They can be applied to the many steps in the process including creation, production, dissemination, and audience development. Learn more

The Hamber Foundation (BC)

Makes grants for cultural, educational and charitable purposes within the Province of British Columbia. Learn more

Equity and Social Justice Grants and Funding

Central City Foundation (Vancouver)

Welcomes applications for grant funding from community-led organizations that are dedicated to helping people in Vancouver’s inner city improve their lives. They fund innovative solutions to issues such as homelessness and a lack of affordable housing, poverty, food security and access to nutritious food, mental and physical health challenges, addiction and more. Learn more

Kiwanis Club of Vancouver (Vancouver)

Offers grants for community projects that help build healthy, engaged, accessible, and sustainable communities across the City of Vancouver. They support essentially organizations that serve the needs of children or vulnerable communities. Learn more

Real Estate Foundation General Grant (BC)

Supports non-profit organizations working to advance sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use and real estate practices in British Columbia. Learn more

Other Grants and Funding options

Community Foundations invest in local initiatives that help to make Canadian communities better places to live, work and play. 

Click here to find your local Foundation.

Marie-Pierre is a visionary and advocate for creating green oases in the heart of concrete jungles. Her passion is understanding the challenges and the important role of accessible green spaces. These spaces foster community connections, a sense of place, and an appreciation for histories and practices woven from the land. This vision led to the inception of the Vancouver Urban Food Forest (VUFFF).

Formed amid the pandemic, VUFFF addressed the challenges of isolation and food accessibility in a community of 34,000. Recognizing the need, and with support from Park People, VUFF envisioned a food forest as a haven for urban indigenous communities and low-income residents, championing the belief that access to green spaces and the right to cultivate food are fundamental human rights. 

Community Herb Garden Workshop, Burrard View Park, Vancouver

They established Vancouver’s first Indigenous food forest, Chén̓chenstway Healing Garden, in Oxford Park, Vancouver. VUFFF’s ongoing efforts at the Burrard Park View Field House are a testament to their resilience.

With the support of Park People, VUFFF has been able to host community herbal garden workshops and other events to support, connect, and empower their community. Those once disconnected or hesitant about gardening have discovered a nurturing community, valuing their stories and experiences. Through herbal gardens, arts and crafts, and open dialogue, VUFFF has ignited a wave of positive change across the community. 

In the concrete jungles of modern cities, Park People supports VUFFF to plant seeds of connection, empowerment, and transformation, reminding us that parks are more than mere spaces – they are the heart of community growth, healing, and prosperity.

Chén̓chenstway Healing Garden and Indigenous Food Forest, Oxford Park, Vancouver

As we dream of vibrant cities, we at Park People acknowledge and support the crucial role of community organizations like VUFFF. They are not just sowing seeds of change but nurturing the bonds connecting us to nature and each other. 

Read other community leaders’ stories with Nawal from Toronto and Geneviève from Montreal. Their stories feature the incredible work being done to foster social connection and community resilience in parks and green spaces across Canada. 

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:

  • A $600 honorarium  
  • Three comprehensive training workshops
  • Seed funding towards materials, guest speakers, or refreshments for your park events
  • Support from Park People and mentorship from previous champions
  • Access to Park People network, resources, and funding opportunities

*See eligible cities below.

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seniors engaged in greenspaces

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senior champions running community programming

0%

of participants feel better connected to their community

2025 Key Dates

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

Eligibility

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.

Application

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.

Need help for your applications or have questions about the program?

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:

  • May 28 | 10–11 a.m. PST | English & French
  • June 5 |12–1 pm   PST | English & French
  • June 11 | 4–5pm. PST | English & French

Info Session

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 June
Format: Online

Training Session 2
 When: Half-day, First week of July
Format: In person, in a park in Vancouver. 

Training Session 3
When: Full day, Second week of July
Format: 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).

For people living in cities, public parks are vital sites of connection. They’re spaces for meeting our neighbours, engaging with nature, and mitigating the harmful impacts of climate change. But large urban parks also face unique challenges, often requiring more resources for maintenance, operations, and programming. 

Park People created the Cornerstone Parks program to support and connect the organizations working in large urban parks across Canada. We’re the only national network dedicated to ensuring that these park leaders can access resources, learn from one another, and maximize the impact and influence of their important work. 

Here’s what we’re up to: 

  • Supporting our partners to accurately evaluate and communicate the health, well-being and social benefits of their work 
  • Building the capacity of park-based NGOs operating in large urban parks by providing them with direct funding, networking and mentorship
  • Offering informative workshops, research, and resources on the latest issues and best practices from cities across the country

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volunteers engaged in stewardship restoration

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of participants say their mental health is improved from stewardship activities

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m2 of invasive species removed

Cornerstone Parks Network

Park Use and Stewardship Reports

Park People and our Cornerstone partners are seeking to better understand the link between parks and health. Our groundbreaking research shows that park stewardship has tremendous benefits for our mental and physical health, for our sense of social connection, and for our overall well-being.

National Urban Parks

Parks Canada is building a new kind of park system, one that brings nature into the heart of cities. Launched in 2021, the National Urban Parks program aims to create 6 parks with the goals to:

  • Support nature conservation
  • Increase connection to people and nature
  • Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Park People is proud to have collaborated with Parks Canada by contributing to the interim policy that guides the designation and management of new national urban parks, and by engaging and supporting organizations working in large urban parks across the country.

Building vital connections between people and parks

TD Park People Grants are available for almost any community event in a publicly accessible green space — whether in a city park, social housing property, or schoolyard — that fosters ongoing care and protection of these spaces.

From Indigenous plant medicine workshops to nature walks, we help local leaders organize events focused on environmental education, sustainability, or stewardship that bring people together.

Each year, we support over 70 community groups across 21 urban areas in Canada to host two in-person and virtual events.

You could receive $2,000 to support your vision to connect people to their local parks and green spaces!

Each year, thanks to the TD Park People Grants program: 

0

grants awarded

0

community events organized

0

people connected in local parks

Applications for the 2026 TD Park People Grants are now closed.

Key Dates

Jan 14 2026

Applications open

Feb 23 2026

Applications close

April 2026

Notification to grant recipients

May 2026

Distribution of funds

April 22 to Dec 31, 2026

Park events period

Oct 2026

Project report due

Eligibility

ELIGIBLE ✅NOT ELIGIBLE ❌
Groups working in public parks and green spaces that are readily accessible (eg. city parks, social housing properties, school grounds, and other urban green spaces that are publicly accessible) in the 21 eligible urban areas across Canada: 
– British Columbia: Metro Vancouver, Kelowna, Saanich, Township of Langley
– Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton Metropolitan Region, Lethbridge,
– Saskatchewan:  Regina, Saskatoon,
– Manitoba: Winnipeg,
– Ontario: Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas, Kitchener – Waterloo, Thunder Bay, Guelph, Ottawa,
– Quebec: Greater Montreal, Quebec City, Gatineau,
– New Brunswick: Fredericton,
– Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown,
– Nova Scotia: Halifax Regional Municipality,
– Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John’s.

Groups working on private property or green spaces not open to the public. 

and/or

Groups working in public parks located OUTSIDE of the eligible cities.
Grassroots community groups and small community-based organizations that include, but are not limited to, volunteer-based park groups, local agencies, resident associations, and not-for-profit groups active in their local parks.

More information:
– Groups are not required to have a trustee or have non-profit/charitable status. 
– Grassroots community groups representing diverse communities or neighbourhoods are especially encouraged to apply. 
– BIAs are eligible to apply for the grant so long as the events meet the eligibility criteria.

For smaller or newly formed groups without event-planning experience, we strongly suggest collaborating with a local organization that can provide support for your events. 

Municipalities are not eligible to apply for a TD Park People Grant. However, partnerships between any or all of the above and a municipality will be accepted if the group, not the city, applies.

Applications from an individual person are not eligible; they must be from a group. 
We will also not review multiple applications from the same group, even if submitted by different people.
Groups offering TWO FREE events.

Groups CHARGING for their events and/or offering less than TWO events.

Groups applying for the first time AND groups who have previously received the TD Park People Grant* are eligible. However, to support as many new community groups as possible, preference will be given to first-time applicants for similar proposals. For those who have previously received a grant, we will be looking for new ideas and events that differ from those funded before.

*A group may receive the grant for a maximum of two consecutive years (see section on the right).

Groups that have received a grant in two consecutive years are NOT eligible to apply for a third consecutive year, but they can apply the following year.
Receiving TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grants does not make a group ineligible for Park People grants. However, the scope of the grants is different.

Equity-deserving groups will be prioritized in the application process. A minimum of 50% of all microgrants will be awarded to those who identify as such.

Please check your group’s eligibility below before submitting your application. If you are not eligible for the TD Park People Grant, your application will not be reviewed. 

Application

Please create an account and submit your application on Blackbaud.  

The application form should take about 2 hours to complete once you know what your events will look like. Here is a sample of the form to help you prepare the application.

For an overview of the application questions and more information on creating an account and submitting your application, please refer to the FAQ section below.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

BLACKBAUD TOOL GUIDE

Need help with your TD Park People Grant application?

Our team is here to support you! You can reach out in the following ways:

Park People is committed to supporting people with disabilities during the application process. If you encounter any barriers while completing your application form or would like to request any access needs, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

We made a few changes to the program this year, summarized below.

Eligible urban areas: St John’s, NL joins the list of eligible urban areas in 2026, while Brandon, MB is no longer an eligible urban area.

Multi-year recipients: Groups that have received the grants before can apply again, but to prioritize first-time applicants, those funded two years in a row must take a one-year break before reapplying. For example, a group funded in 2024 and 2025 would next be eligible for the 2027 TD Park People grant.

Application Management Tool: We are moving from Survey Monkey Apply to Blackbaud Grantmaking. Learning to use a new tool can take some adjustment, but the questions below provide guidelines for navigating it. If additional support is required, you can always contact us at boursestdppgrants@parkpeople.ca for help.

Decisions will be made by a team of reviewers composed of Park People staff in consultation with TD. Application selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Strength of the application – past event experience, compelling argument describing the proposed events
  • Environmental focus – groups should incorporate an environmental care or protection component into their events or event activities.
  • Equity-deserving communities – at least 50% of grants will be given to these groups. These may include, but are not limited to, Black, Indigenous and people of colour communities, disabled persons or people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomers, women, and low-income people.
  • Geographic diversity – representation of many neighbourhoods in each city and representation of the 21 urban areas eligible for the grants. 
  • Originality of the event ideas – aiming for many different types of events in parks
  • Evidence of consideration of inclusion/accessibility

While meeting any or all of these criteria will not guarantee that your group will be awarded a grant, we are looking for these qualities in each application.

The application form should take about 2 hours to complete once you’ve planned your events. Here is a preview of the questions:

  • Describe your group or organization, and indicate if your group is from an equity-deserving community.
  • Outline your past experiences in hosting community events in parks and green spaces.
  • If partnering with other groups or organizations, list them and briefly describe their roles.
  • Provide a brief description of the two events you plan to host.
  • Describe the steps you will take to ensure your events are inclusive, accessible, and safe.
  • Explain how your proposed events will focus on environmental impact (e.g., environmental education, sustainability practices, or stewardship activities).
  • Highlight the significance of these events for your community. 
  • Describe how you will use the $2,000 grant to support your events. List any additional sources of funding, confirmed or anticipated.

Your group can demonstrate an environmental focus in many ways, whether through environmental education, a commitment to sustainability practices, or stewardship activities: 

  • Raising awareness on environmental issues, such as climate change, or teaching about the local environment by hosting a nature walk. 
  • Committing to sustainability practices, such as ensuring your event is zero-waste or hosting a bike repair clinic or clothing swap. 
  • Hosting stewardship activities could include park cleanups, planting and gardening, invasive species removal, and other projects that enhance local green space.

We encourage you to get creative and think outside the box!

Here are some useful links: 

Hosting a free, open-to-the-public event is not enough to ensure it is inclusive and accessible. 

Here are some measures past grant recipients have adopted to make their park events inclusive:

  • Inviting an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper or Elder to your events and offering an honorarium.
  • Translate promotions into the most widely spoken languages in your community.
  • Ensure the event is inclusive for people using mobility devices or accompanied by service animals, and choose a park that is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
  • Serve vegetarian or vegan options, accommodate dietary needs (gluten-free, lactose-free, halal, kosher, etc.), and avoid common allergens.
  • Offer portable toilets if the park doesn’t have toilets.
  • Use gender-neutral language in your promotional materials and presentations, and ask your participants for their preferred pronouns.
  • Use closed captions for a virtual event.
  • Ensure the participation of a sign language interpreter.
  • Choose a park that is easily accessible by public transportation.
  • Conduct outreach beyond social media by engaging community leaders, schools, local newspapers, language centers, etc.

We also suggest including an accessibility section on your event page that provides information on location, transportation, food, sensory experiences, and interactions one might expect. It will help people determine if they can/want to participate and plan accordingly.For further reading, see our resource on events accessibility.

If successful, your group will receive a total of $2,000 to be spread across both events. Once you have received the funds for your grant, you are free to use them however you’d like for your events. This could include providing transportation to the event with bus tickets. You may also combine the money received from this grant with other sources of funding.

For the purposes of the program, a group is considered equity-deserving if the people helping run it are part of an equity-deserving community and/or if the group serves or engages with equity-deserving communities. We prioritize equity-deserving groups in our granting to address the inequitable distribution of resources within the parks sector.

We define equity-deserving communities as those that, due to systemic discrimination, face barriers that prevent them from having the same access to resources and opportunities as other members of society. These may include, but are not limited to, Black, Indigenous and people of colour communities, disabled persons or people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomers, women and non-binary people, and low-income people. 

These communities may be present in specific geographic areas in some cities, including Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas or Montreal’s Integrated Urban Revitalization zones*, but they are not limited to those areas.

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