Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

Park People works in partnership with communities, park staff and private enterprise to:

• Facilitate neighbourhood engagement in local parks
• Provide resources and information for local park citizens on best practices
• Build a network of local community park groups
• Bring public attention to issues affecting parks
• Highlight the importance of good parks to the social, health, environmental and economic well being of all residents of Toronto

History of Organization

In September 2010, Dave Harvey released the Metcalf Foundation sponsored report: Fertile Ground for New Thinking: Improving Toronto's Parks. The report showed that Toronto is lagging behind cities across North America that are bringing people, government, park staff and private organizations together to create dynamic parks that become the hub of neighbourhoods. The report spurred the development of Toronto Park People in December, 2010. 

Accolades and Accomplishments

In a short time we’ve accomplished a lot:

• The first annual Park Summit was launched to a standing-room-only crowd including nine city councillors. One attendee described it as “… incredibly inspiring… thank you for being the spark that we all needed!”
• Our Parkpeople.ca website was created as a clearinghouse of information and inspiration on city parks and park people and our monthly e-newsletter keeps everyone informed about news and events in the field
• The bi-monthly Park Talks series convenes park volunteers and other supporters in local parks across the city to share best practices and be inspired
• We are leading focused outreach in priority neighbourhoods such as Thorncliffe Park and Kingston-Galloway to help improve parks in low-income communities and neighbourhoods with a high percentage of new immigrants
• The first in a series of Parks Solutions papers was released to coincide with City park consultations and budget review. In it we laid out a set of concrete and do-able recommendations
• Media coverage continues to be supportive and extensive as Park People is fast becoming recognized as the authoritative and passionate voice for parks

Programs

>Better Parks in All Neighbourhoods

Toronto Park People is bringing better parks to communities across Toronto. Better parks bring a range of benefits: social cohesion, access to healthy food, economic development, recreation, and healthier communities. There are also significant environmental benefits - tree cover and greenspaces reduce heat island effects, absorb carbon emissions and air pollution, and reduce stormwater runoff.

In marginalized neighbourhoods parks are even more critical. These parks are the residents’ backyard and community gathering place. They are often the only opportunity for youth and new immigrants to be exposed to nature. Unfortunately, many of these neighbourhoods are served by parks that do not meet the community’s needs.

Better Parks in All Neighbourhoods

We are supporting the creation of new local park groups across the city, particularly in low-income neighbourhoods. As part of this effort, we are creating a “How to Set Up a Local Park Group” kit to assist these groups.

We are working with park and community groups to resolve issues and support new projects, with a particular focus on Priority neighbourhoods and communities with significant populations of new immigrants. For example, we assisted the Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee in obtaining city permission and city funding to build a tandoor oven in R.V. Burgess Park.

We are building a network of park advocates with more Park Talks, our next Toronto Park Summit in spring 2012 and updating and expanding web based and social media resources for local park groups.

We are monitoring and influencing decision making at City Hall to ensure strong support for our parks and communities in budget discussions, the upcoming Parks Plan consultations and in new policy development. 

Funding and Program Partners

Toronto Park People's work is generously supported by TD Bank, the George Cedric Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Live Green Toronto and individual donors. 

Our key work is with 60 local park and community groups across Toronto actively engaged in improving and animating their local park. We also partner with local BIAs, community agencies and City of Toronto staff to bring positive change to parks and neighbourhoods. 

Program Impact

More than 125 people and 9 city councillors attended our first Toronto Park Summit; more than 75 people have attended our Park Talk sessions; more than 300 have signed up for our newsletter. Dave has made presentations to more than 2 dozen park and community groups:“Your report and direct support and guidance of our activities as well as the emerging network of support we are getting from other park groups have given me and my membership inspiration that yes, parks and community groups can make a difference.” Friends of Oriole Park

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

• Civic Engagement - less than 66% of Toronto residents reportedfeeling a strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging (Toronto's Vital Signs® 2011)
• Health and Wellness - less than 15% of children are active (Toronto's Vital Signs® 2010)
• Environment -more than 12 % of city is now an urban heat island (Toronto's Vital Signs® 2010)

Participant Vignette

Toronto Park People has been working with Sabina Ali and the Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee to assist them in challenges they have faced trying to get city park staff approval for projects that are animating R.V. Burgess Park. “Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee is very supportive of Toronto Park People’s effort to work with local groups across the city who are interested in transforming their public space into a place that builds and enriches the community and the neighbourhood.” 

“I’m not sure I would have gotten involved with my park without the inspiration you provided. So – thank you!” Julia Lo