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 InTO The Ravines Champions program.
For more information reach out to: chashie@parkpeople.ca
Toronto is lucky to have one of the largest ravine networks in the world. Representing 17% of the city’s total area, these lush green spaces connect a diverse group of cultures and communities. They’re also a fragile resource, home to countless species of animals, plants, and insects.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.Park People partners with the City of Toronto to ensure that communities experience, celebrate and protect our one-of-a-kind ravine system. Together, we provide:
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of participants report feeling greater connection to nature and living things
of event attendees report they would be more to visit the ravines after the event
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ravine sites animated to date
InTO the Ravines prioritizes people from equity-deserving communities, especially those that face barriers to accessing the ravines. By equipping local leaders with the tools they need to create accessible event, we’re helping them to introduce their communities to the many benefits of the ravines.
Equity, InTO the 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?
Fundraising is a great way to build the capacity of your community park group. Here’s a list of the grants and funding options for park groups located in Ontario.
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.
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.