Envisioning Arts in Parks
MABELLEarts works with a group of participants in Broadacres Park, by Sarah Gladki (2016)
Known as the “City within a Park”, Toronto is recognized internationally for its more than 8,000 hectares of parkland and over 1600 parks which are a diverse network of ravines, sports fields, recreation trails and neighbourhood parks of all shapes and sizes.
Parks are democratic spaces – they are free to all, reflect the demographic diversity of our city and are places for social and cultural interaction. Parks play a variety of functions: for those who live in small apartments, parks are open spaces good for reading and relaxing; for those who love nature but don’t have a garden, parks are an oasis of flowers, bushes and trees. Arts and culture programs presented in parks – children’s art classes, concerts, exhibitions and art installations – are opportunities for the public to have greater arts access.
94% of Torontonians who responded to the Arts Stats survey in 2016 saw a personal benefit to having art in public spaces.1 The city’s 2013-2017 Parks Plan found that 93% of Torontonians strongly agree that parks and trails are vital city infrastructure.2 Putting these two great strengths together has enabled TAC and TAF to imagine how parks could become arts venues.
“Toronto parks are welcoming spaces to escape the fast pace of city life and connect with nature. Our parks bring communities together for fun, recreation or quiet reflection and Arts in the Parks helps connect communities with artists on our common grounds.”
- Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto
As noted in Arts Stats 2016, Torontonians value arts activities that are free, less formal, and close to home. Art in public spaces helps people feel more connected to their city and since there are parks all over the city, it’s never very far to travel for an arts experience in a park.
There are many ways that arts activities add to the quality of life of individuals and communities, including:
- Bringing neighbours together
- Celebrating community history
- Encouraging creativity in young people
- Addressing social isolation of seniors
1Toronto Arts Foundation Arts Stats Survey, 2016
2City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Parks Plan 2013-2017