Advocacy & Engagement

What’s New at Park People

Canadian City Parks Report:

Findings and Impact 2019-2024

City parks don't stand still, and neither does the work of understanding them. Over five years, in partnership with 46 municipalities across Canada, we tracked the forces reshaping parks and shared what we learned together about how to respond.

Our new report reflects on what 2019–2024 revealed — and what we're carrying into 2026 and beyond.

Explore the report

Generously supported by

Don’t Miss the TD Park People Grants

There’s still time to apply for the TD Park People Grants! Community groups and small organizations across Canada can receive $2,000 to host two activities that connect people with urban nature while advancing sustainability and stewardship.

Harvest festivals, Indigenous plant workshops, bike repair sessions… let your creativity shine!

72 grants are available in 21 urban areas in Canada. Applications close on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

Apply now

Generously supported by

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Black History Month:

The Must Be Room for Black Joy in Public Space

This Black Hiory Month, we celebrate 30 years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.

We are proud to highlight the work of Jay Pitter, award-winning urban planner and placemaker, whose research and practice fill critical gaps in understanding the experience of Black communities in parks and public spaces across Canada and the United States, while advancing public joy as essential urban infrastructure and a fundamental human right.

Two ways to explore Blk joy in public space:

BEING BLACK IN PUBLIC: Reflections on Joy, Space,

and Belonging

Blog post, Park People

Our Program Manager Joy Ralamboarisoa shares insights from the BEING BLACK IN PUBLIC Survey Report, inviting us to think deeper about joy, belonging, and what it truly means to feel at ease in

shared spaces.

Read more

BLACK PUBLIC JOY

No Permit or Permission Required

Book, Jay Pitter

Building on the findings of

BEING BLACK IN PUBLIC Survey Report, Jay Pitter’s new book calls on all of us to steward each other’s public joy while claiming our own.

Read more

National Survey on Nature Prescribing: Share your Experience

Dr. Nadha Hassen and the University of Toronto launched a national survey to gather insights on nature prescribing and nature-based wellbeing initiatives across Canada, and your input could help inform the field!

You’re invited to participate if you live and/or work in Canada and:
* are part of a nature prescribing program (e.g., healthcare providers, link workers, community navigators),
* currently offer nature-based activities or nature wellbeing programs,
* use nature prescriptions or nature-based activities for your health, or
* are interested in developing a nature prescribing program.

Enter now to receive one of seven $100 gift cards!

Enter the survey

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Funding Opportunities

National

TD Park People Grants | Park People

$2,000 for community groups and small organizations to organize park events with an environmental focus. Apply by Feb 23, 2026.

Green my City | Green Cities Foundation

Supports the restoration and building of green spaces. Apply now (first-come, first-served).

Bird Friendly City Small Grants | Nature Canada

Up to $3,000 for registered charities, non-profit organizations or Metis, Inuit or First Nation communities to lead projects that impact local bird populations and biodiversity. Apply before Feb 26, 2026.

Thriving Microgrant Stream | Green Communities Canada

Up to $5,000 to support the ongoing maintenance, care, and monitoring of existing green infrastructure sites. Apply by March 6, 2026.

Gro for Good Grants | Scotts

$4,500 for communities, schools and non-profit organizations to develop sustainable gardens and green spaces. Apply by Feb 28, 2026.

British Columbia

Youth for the Planet | DIVERSEcity

$5,000 for youth to develop community-based projects. Apply now.

Article by Park People

Between 2019 and 2024, the Canadian City Parks Report (CCPR) was released annually, highlighting trends, challenges, and opportunities across the park sector. Over these years, 46 municipalities participated, collectively representing 48% of Canada’s population. In 2025, Park People took a moment to reflect on past CCPRs and consider how our research can best support city parks and park professionals moving forward.

This new synthesis report brings together the major findings from those pivotal years. It offers a curated, thematically organized overview of key insights, with links to stories from across the years and comments on the trends we observed.

In 2026, Park People is evolving the CCPR. While we will maintain the current city data profiles, we’re moving from a story-based approach toward more targeted, action-oriented information that park practitioners can apply in their own work. We’ll start by working with Indigenous colleagues to understand and share approaches to municipal and organizational partnerships that support Indigenous-led urban land care.

We’re excited to share our latest publication: The Canadian City Parks Report: Findings and Impact 2019-2024

How to get involved?
If Indigenous-led or partnered land care initiatives are happening in your city that others could learn from—or if you work for a municipality and are interested in participating in future CCPRs—please contact Joy Sammy at jsammy@parkpeople.ca.

60 Water Street North, Cambridge, ON N1R 3B1 opa@ontarioparksassociation.ca
Charitable Tax Number: 127257509RR0001