THORN-CLIFFE
PARK GETS A LITTLE LOVE

"Go knock on doors, build relationships, ask for what you need, and make it happen!”

SABINA ALI
Chair, Thorncliffe Park
Women's Committee

“We moved to Thorncliffe Park because there was walking and TTC access to a library, grocery store, mosque, and of course a large South Asian population.   

The local park, however, didn’t feel good. I never expected this kind of park condition in Canada: garbage and no bins, children lining up to use only two swings… I wanted my children to have what I had had as a child. 

So we decided to improve the park. It was difficult at first to navigate City Hall, to develop relationships, but we did it! New swings, a splash pad, a water fountain that works, benches, picnic tables, new pathways, tree plantings, new light posts, a tandoor oven, food  

vendors, produce stalls, performances…. It wasn’t easy, but the park is transformed.

With RAC zoning, changes are easier, and the possibilities are much greater: office space, ground floor facilities, use of apartments for community organizations, cafés and other social spaces for people to sit and meet about issues, places for women to have time for themselves, usable kitchens for catering, community gardens, economic opportunities
… the list goes on.

My advice to residents: Go knock on doors, build relationships, ask for what you need, and make it happen!”