Through, The Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC), a grassroots organization of volunteers, Phoenix Community Works Foundation is sponsoring this project which is dedicated to protecting and celebrating free accessible public spaces. The main goal of TPSC is to encourage people to use, enjoy and enhance shared public space. This is accomplished through organizing activities and events held in public spaces and by promoting community involvement.

Current Community Campaigns:

Gardening Projet – a group of volunteers who meet frequently to plant seeds, bulbs or seedlings in unused and bare patches of ground throughout Toronto. The Gardeners often interact with and encourage local residents and passers-by to get involved. Workshops on caring for native plants, caring for Toronto’s neglected and suffering trees and growing plants from seeds support the gardeners.

Human River – an annual community celebration and commemoration of the buried Garrison Greek organized in partnership with various community groups. The celebration includes a parade from Christie Pits to Fort York. Along the way, Historians, ecologists, storytells and performers bring alive the history and ecology of the historically significant creek.

Streets to Screens – screenings of local and international films about public space. The films are shown for free, or sometimes for fundraising purposes and are often followed by a panel discussion. Short documentaries from the National Film Board archive are also showcased for free at the Toronto Free Gallery.

Art Attack – a program that encourages Torontonians to reimagine Toronto decorated with their own public art. A core group meets monthly for discussion and to create art. A larger annual event is held about public art in the city.

Tree Tours – in partnership with LEAF, a three year project of community free walking tours of various neighbourhoods to highlight the urban forest and its ecological and social history in Toronto. Local communities are called on to design and create the content of the tours and local tree stewardship is encouraged by connecting interested community members with tree experts in their area.

All activities and events are designed to get community members to reconnect with their surroundings, learn about the natural environment in large uban areas and to think about their role in keeping public spaces healthy and beautiful.