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.
Why are events in parks important? How do grants fit into Park People’s larger goals for creating change in city parks?
The emerging stream of the Park People Nature Connect Fund provides up to $5,000 to grassroots and registered organizations across Canada that connect people with nature, foster ecological stewardship, and restore urban parks and green spaces.
The scaling stream of the Park People Nature Connect Fund offers up to $20,000 to registered organizations across Canada that connect people with nature while fostering ecological stewardship and restoring urban parks.
Learn more about green social prescribing, an evolving practice that encourages individuals to reestablish connections with nature and one another to enhance their mental, physical, and social wellbeing.
A reflection on the BEING BLACK IN PUBLIC Survey Report, exploring how Black communities experience parks and public spaces, and what fosters joy and belonging.
How do we build a healthier, greener, more joyful Toronto? We start at the park. Discover how communities across the city have transformed their green spaces over the past fifteen years. Then roll up your sleeves and help shape what comes next.
By donating to Park People, you’ll support vibrant parks for everyone.
she/her
Anne brings professional parks experience to the board from over 30 years with both government and consulting sectors in parks and recreation. Over her career, she has spent time in provincial parks, parks consulting in northern Canada as well as various roles for Calgary Parks before taking the senior management position. She held the top position in Calgary Parks from 2008 until retirement from The City in 2018. The director role there offered challenges in politics, leadership and finance but also staff leadership around parks development, cultural landscapes, pathway systems and LEED parks educational facilities, among others. The director role encompassed liaising with organizations both locally and internationally. She held a Board position in World Urban Parks, 2016 – 2018 and is still an active individual in the North American chapter. She holds a Bachelor’s in Recreation Administration from University of Alberta and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from University of Guelph. While Calgary is home, outdoor passions for lake swimming and sea kayaking keeps both cabin life and travel part of her life.