Imagine a city where there are no parks, no plazas, no community gardens, no cozy bench under a giant maple tree.

Where would you go to meet a friend for a stroll, take in a free concert or join an outdoor yoga class? Public spaces are the backdrop for so many moments of happiness and excitement. It's the magic of these places make cities truly livable.

In this month's edition of Evergreen News, we're celebrating public spaces — not just for how they improve our health and connect us to nature and one another, but for the simple joy they bring to our lives. Read on for stories that showcase how these spaces create moments of happiness.

Five ways to have an outdoor adventure in the city before summer ends

Feeling like summer is slipping away from you? There's still plenty of time to have fun in the great outdoors — you don’t even need to leave the city! Read through our tips to enjoy some more outside time this season!

Rhythms of the city: Why do we need music in public spaces?

Public spaces are more than just places to sit and reflect; they're places to experience art, connect or just plain have fun! We spoke to Yang Chen, a percussionist based in Toronto, about performing in public spaces.

"The act of going to a concert in a traditional venue is premeditated, whereas happening upon a performance in a public space can be a delightful surprise."

Want to make gardening fun for the whole family? Read our guide!

How much water falls on the ground without any human help? Do you see any animal tracks through this space? What can you feel gently with your hands?

Gardening is a perfect way to connect with nature. But for families wanting to get started together, it can all feel a bit intimidating. Thankfully, our incredible gardening team compiled a few activities and questions to get gardeners of all ages started.

Toronto's remarkable ravines:
a nature-based solution to climate change

Did you know that Toronto’s ravine system is the largest in any city in the world? In fact, it’s so large that it’s been highlighted as a defining feature of the city, giving Toronto the nickname “a city within a park.” But these ravines aren’t just beautiful green spaces, they protect the city from severe climate impacts. Read more to see how.

How biking with kids can help them reclaim their right to public space

Kids are spending significantly less time playing outside than previous generations. Is this due to dangers lurking in alleyways, or is this what happens when we don't keep the public realm safe for kids? Read why biking with your kids can make such a big difference to them — and the city.

People, plants and place at The Leaf

The first in our series of spotlights on great public places, go on a tour of Winnipeg’s LEED-certified living attraction.

"Our first stop begins in a tropical climate. I take in the sight and sound of a six-storey high cascading waterfall. It is misty and commanding. One of my guides says entering this room tends to conjure a Jurassic Park feeling for visitors and it really does."

New workshop: Lead outdoor play and learning for the children in your life!

Evergreen’s Nature Play & Learning Lab lets you experience nature connection in action and strengthen your ability to facilitate experiences that (re)connect children with nature. On August 24, this two-hour session immerses participants in the fundamentals of outdoor learning and nature connection through a condensed workshop at Evergreen Brick Works.

Learn more

We're celebrating Tomato-palooza at Evergreen Brick Works

Join us for a month packed with everything tomato—from tomato arts and crafts in the Children’s Garden to tasting your way through tomato products and dishes at the Farmers Market, you’ll be sure to find something fun.

Learn more

Looking for more things to do at Evergreen Brick Works for the rest of the summer? From recreation programs, to outdoor eats to our final two Free Outdoor Movie Nights, there's always something happening in the heart of Toronto’s green oasis.

See what's on Evergreen Brick Works

The Evergreen Conference: Extra early bird tickets just released!

Great news! We've just released a limited number of extra early bird tickets for the 2024 Evergreen Conference! Secure your spot by August 26 and save $150 off the regular price. On October 9 & 10, the Evergreen Conference is the place to be for community advocates, elected officials, policymakers, planners, urban designers and anyone passionate about creating better public places.

We’ll be joined by the likes of Eric Klinenberg, the Helen Gould Shepard Professor in Social Science and Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University as well as Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health of the City of Toronto.

Learn more about the conference

Want to know why the 2024 Evergreen Conference will be the best one yet? Read about four unique aspects of the 2024 Evergreen Conference that are sure to leave you feeling refreshed, energized and inspired.

Run the Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5K with us!

Support Evergreen Brick Works and run for a cause! 🌿🏃‍♂️ Following the flooding in July, Evergreen Brick Works needs your help. You can make a difference by signing up for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon! Every time you register, Evergreen receives a $5 donation to aid in our recovery efforts. The in-person marathon and half marathon are already sold out, so register for the 5K or virtual races while you still can!

New jobs posted!

We are looking for skilled, passionate individuals to join our growing team. As Evergreen works to build thriving cities that are livable and green, we are dedicated to developing a workforce that reflects the spaces in which we live and work.

Visit our careers page

Group of people talk around boardroom table.

Employee Spotlight

Our Staff Spotlight series shines a light on the voices and perspectives of the incredible Evergreen team. Up next is our Q&A with Amanda Saunders, IT Analyst.

Learn more about a public space she loves and the one superpower that would make her job easier.

Help us transform public spaces for people and planet

Be a part of ensuring that our cities are vibrant, green, and bursting with life for generations to come.

Donate

Evergreen's Word of the Month

This is the spot where we break down an overly ‘jargony’ word or term to help bring you into our work of building better public places. We think everyone should be able to join the conversation! Our July Word of the Month is Loose Parts Play, one of our core practices of building nature connection. Check out our City Builder Glossary for more definitions.