March 2016
Toronto has a long tradition of creating parks for communities.
It was over 140 years ago, in 1873, when Toronto city council accepted the land donation that created High Park.
Today High Park has a Nature Conservancy that protects its trees. Friends of the High Park Zoo donates time and money to maintain the High Park Zoo. Both organized and informal sporting events are held in the park. There is a dog park where volunteers and park staff enforce rules. Tennis courts, outdoor theatre and chess club are just some of the attractions that make High Park popular.
The city may provide the space but High Park thrives because local residents have made it their space. They have made the maintaining of this park personal. Local residents run programs, maintain the area and participate in what High Park has to offer.
There is a sense of ownership in High Park.
Other areas have community spaces although not on the scale of High Park. These include Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square and numerous parks throughout the area. A visit to most local parks on a warm summer evening will find children on playground equipment and teens playing sports while adults congregate and converse.
Mel Lastman Square has become popular for major events such as Cultura, fireworks and concerts. Yet it is when these events are not occurring that the space is most appealing. It is where local residents prefer to hang out. Introduction of ping pong tables have become so popular that many wait an hour or longer to play.
We all benefit when our parks and community spaces thrive.
