Connecting with your Community

Free tree planting and community gardens to special events, advisory councils, youth and special needs, volunteers plan an important role in assistant in the delivery of services to the community. Share your expertise or develop new skills we are interested in your leadership to enhance our programs and services.

Most community centres provide opportunities for volunteers. Please contact your local community centre for an opportunity near you. Or consider joining our new PFR Volunteer Reference Committee to support Parks, Forestry and Recreation volunteer initiatives city wide. For more information contact Susan at slewis@toronto.ca.

Opportunities to get Involved

If you are looking for a way to get involved or are a youth looking to fulfill some of your placement hours, read on!

High Park Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs

High Park needs volunteers to assist with:

• Exploring Toronto or Children's Garden nature or gardening programs for school groups
• Summer Eco Camps and garden drop-in programs
• Organic garden or compost maintenance at the High Park or Waterfront Children's Gardens
• Food preparation/volunteer chef
• Community events

For more information, email rsalt@toronto.ca or kidsgrow@toronto.ca or call 416-338-5055 or 416-392-1329

Become a Parkland Naturalization Volunteer (Spring/Summer/Fall)

We offer two types of opportunities:

Community Planting (all ages)

• Help plant native trees, shrubs nd wildflowers at City of Toronto parkland naturalization sites
• Planting events are a perfect activity for community groups, individuals and families
• Saturdays and Sundays 10am - 12 noon
• Visit toronto.ca/greentoronto for more information and schedules

Community Stewardship Program (16yrs+)

• Ongoing maintenance and monitoring of activities at various City of Toronto parkland naturalization sites
• Some key project sites include: Warden Woods, Nordheimer Ravine, Riverdale Farm, Don Valley Brick Works, Spadina Quay & Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat
• Monday to Friday, 6-8pm
• Season runs from May-September
• Email greentoronto@toronto.ca or call 311 for information on either program

Riverdale Farm

201 Winchester Street, three blocks east of Parliament Street along Winchester Street, three blocks north of Gerrard Street East along Sumach Street. Open daily, 9 am - 5 pm.

• Assist with community plantings, seasonal events, guided group tours, itnerpretive presentations, seasonal registered programs, day camps.
• Join the advisory council, council committees (animal management, building & grounds, calendar newsletter).
• Become a member of the garden club, ponds stewardship team, gate greeters
• Register for the counsellor-in-training (CITs 12-14yrs) program
• Orientation sessions: first Wednesday of February, April, August and October for youth (15-18 yrs), adults (19+), and older adults (60 yrs+)
• For more information, call 416-392-6794 or email us at farm@toronto.ca
• Sorry, the Farm does not have opportunities for youth or adult volunteers to work with the animals, poultry, waterfowl or in the barns

Toronto Special Events

• Volunteers aged 16 years and older fill key positions at year-round events including: Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Cavalcade of Lights and Toronto's WinterCity Festival
• Greet the public as an Event Information Ambassador or help out behind the scenes with program and technical logistics

For more information on training sessions and to receive an application form, email spevvol@toronto.ca

Volunteer Reference Committee (year round)

The Parks, Forestry and Recreation Volunteer Reference Committee supports the development and standardization of our Volunteer programs. We meet the last Monday night of each month at a central location for a maximum of 10 meetings annually. Help us continue to develop and grow this important program.

• Support city-wide volunteer recognition programs
• Review current volunteer practices
• Help out with one of the four annual Volunteer Recognition Events across the city
• Come out monthly to get involved in this city-wide PFR initiative

Email slewis@toronto.ca for more information.

Toronto Accessible Sport Council

TASC in conjunction with Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation is looking for volunteers 18 years plus to support a variety of sport programs for people who have disabilities. Programs include: bocce, wheelchair hockey, sledge hockey, yoga and tennis. Visit jointhetasc.com for more information.