Community Garden Project Expands to East Toronto

A grassroots initiative brings new vegetable plots and workshops to underserved neighborhoods, promoting food security and urban sustainability.

By Frontier Echo Editorial Team | June 04, 2025 at 01:45

In an effort to promote active lifestyles and combat sedentary habits, the City of Toronto has launched a new outdoor fitness initiative across several parks. The program, called FitParks TO, includes the installation of custom-built workout circuits designed to be accessible, durable, and free to use year-round.

Unveiled this week at Withrow Park, the first phase of the rollout includes bodyweight resistance equipment, balance beams, and stretching stations. City officials say the initiative is aimed at residents of all ages and fitness levels, with accompanying signage that offers instructional guidance and QR codes linking to demo videos.

“Physical activity shouldn’t be a luxury,” said Councillor Omar Singh, who chairs the city’s public health committee. “These installations bring fitness into the everyday lives of Torontonians—no gym membership required.”

The FitParks TO project is a response to data from Toronto Public Health showing that only 38% of adults in the city meet recommended physical activity guidelines. By placing equipment in high-traffic green spaces, the program hopes to encourage spontaneous exercise and promote community wellness.

Community groups and neighborhood associations were involved in choosing equipment types and installation sites. Some locations have also added drinking fountains, shaded rest areas, and improved lighting to increase comfort and safety.

Personal trainers and physiotherapists consulted on the equipment selection to ensure it supports a range of motion and injury prevention. “We wanted a balance of cardio, strength, and flexibility,” said project consultant Marisol Vega.

The initiative has been well-received by residents. “I bring my dog to the park every morning, and now I can get a quick workout in too,” said local resident Shazia Ahmed. “It’s already part of my routine.”

With successful pilot locations now active, the city plans to expand the program to 25 additional parks over the next two years, prioritizing underserved neighborhoods and areas with limited access to recreation centres.

City officials are also exploring partnerships with health organizations to offer guided outdoor fitness classes and wellness seminars at selected sites starting this summer.

FitParks TO is funded in part by a grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada and aligns with the city’s broader Healthy Toronto 2025 framework focused on reducing chronic illness through preventative strategies.

Long-term plans include impact tracking and community surveys to assess how public fitness infrastructure can support sustained health behavior change across diverse populations.