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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.
Twenty champions, paired in teams of two, learn about Toronto’s ravines, providing them with the knowledge and skills to host their own event in one of these unique natural spaces. Events can include guided nature walks, art projects, native plant workshops, birdwatching tours, or any creative way to bring people together in nature.
Each team receive:
Applications for the 2026 InTO the Ravines Champions are now closed.
March 31, 2026
Applications Open
April 30, 2026
Applications Close
Mid-May, 2026
Notification to successful applicants
June, 2026
Distribution of the $600 fund
June 3, 2026, 6 – 8:30 pm
1st training session | Introduction to our Ravines (online)
June 10, 2026, 6 – 8 pm
2nd training session | Engagement & Event Planning in the Ravines (online)
June 17, 2026, 6 – 8 pm
3rd training session | Infrastructure: Equity and Climate Resilience (online)
June 24, 2026, 6 – 8:30 pm
4th training session | Ravines: Indigenous History & Perspective (online)
End of June, 2026
In-person event planning lunch
July 16 to Nov 1, 2026
Park events period
Nov 1, 2026
Evaluation report due
Fall, 2026
Ravine Days
We’re looking for applicants who live near Toronto’s ravines, are unfamiliar with their history and significance, and may need help accessing them.
Priority will be given to equity-deserving communities, but all are welcome to apply.
Each applicant should team up with a partner. Both team members must:
Both champions in each team must complete the application.
The application form should take 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Here is a sample of the form to help you prepare the application.
Need help with your InTO the Ravines Champions application?
Our team is here to support you! You can reach out in the following ways:
By emailing Kayos Jones at torontonetworks@parkpeople.ca, if you have questions or would like to book a video call for support.
By joining one of our drop-in sessions using this link at the following times:
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.
No, you don’t need to have any prior experience in organizing events or within ravines to apply.
Successful applicants must participate in all four online training sessions and an in-person lunch with the other program participants. You can find the dates and times in the Key Dates section.
These sessions will provide essential information regarding event planning and the important role of ravines. During these training sessions, you will have the opportunity to engage with other champions and guest speakers.
According to the City of Toronto’s Ravine Strategy, a ravine is “a type of landform created over time by running water. They are larger than gullies and smaller than valleys. They may or may not contain streams.” (p. 6 – 7 of Ravine Strategy).
To determine if your ravine is publicly accessible, please look at Toronto’s Interactive Map and search for your ravine.
Select the filter “City Park” and “Ravine and Nature Feature Protection By-Law” from the drop down list on the right side. Public ravines will be indicated in the map by having a green base (vs grey) and the Ravine and Nature Feature Protection By-Law layer (stripes).
Ravines that are on private property and not open to the public are not eligible for the grant. If you have questions about your local ravine, please get in touch with us to confirm eligibility. If required, we can provide you with suggestions regarding a location for your event.
We prioritize equity-deserving groups in our programs 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, including Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, but they are not limited to those areas.
Hear why they love and care about the ravines.
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, yoga in the park, knitting circles, Indigenous plant walks, forest bathing or Tai Chi – bringing your community together and closer to nature!
Each Champion receives:
*See eligible cities below.
0+
older adults engaged in greenspaces
0
Champions running community programming
0%
of participants feeling better connected to their community after the events
May 21, 2026
Applications open – accepted on a rolling basis until June 15. We encourage early applications.
May & June 2026
Online info sessions on Zoom
Phone or online interviews
June 15, 2026
Notification to successful Champions
July 2026
Mandatory Training sessions
July 2026 to April 2027
Park activites
April 2027
Post-event evaluations
People 55 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.
No prior experience is required!
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 2026 Senior Park Champions program, please complete our quick Google form by June 15, 2026. 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 learn more.
No, you don’t need to have any prior experience in organizing events to apply. Our program is designed to train and equip seniors with the knowledge and tips they need to lead their park events successfully.
You can apply individually or in pairs. You will both co-lead the activities if applied as a pair.
Successful applicants are required to attend all three mandatory 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: End of June (Half-day)Format: Online
Training Session 2 When: First week of July (Half-day)Format: In person, in a park in Vancouver.
Training Session 3When: Second week of July (Full day)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, please reach out. 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 the fund after completing three activities.
Unfortunately, no. Due to limited space, Champion roles are only available to new applicants. However, you are welcome to apply to be a mentor for the new cohort and participate in the activities organized by the new Champions.
Yes. You are welcome to deliver your activities in any language you are comfortable with, as long as it helps you engage your community.
Note that training will be held in English, with French translation available.
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
Nov 21, 2025
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.
Discover the greening projects of the 2026 Montreal Urban Park Champions.