You’ve heard of a 'pub crawl' and a 'grub crawl', but what about a 'park crawl'? Swap inebriated college students for nature-loving citizens from all walks of life, add a dash of community spirit, and you’ve got the Homegrown Park Crawl! This Sunday, October 5th, from 10am to 5pm, the David Suzuki Foundation is organizing a walk through four of Toronto’s parks, with food, eco-activities and musical performances along the way!
Last year, the event saw upwards of a thousand Toronto residents walk, bike and portage canoes along the former Garrison Creek route, through four of our favorite green spaces: Christie Pits, Bickford Park, Fred Hamilton Park, and Trinity Bellwoods. Check out footage from last year’s event below.
This year, residents will gather at Christie Pits Park at 10am move to Bickford Park at 12pm, Fred Hamilton Park at 1pm and Trinity Bellwoods at 2pm. The experience of parading en masse through the city, surrounded by fellow community members is truly one to be relished. Toronto will be lucky enough to have David Suzuki himself attend the event this year. As the figurehead of his foundation, Mr. Suzuki has said he enjoys getting involved in as many programs as possible.
The crawl has booked some of the city’s favorite chefs and restaurants to provide succulent snacks, including Pizzeria Libretto, FRANK Restaurant, Marben, Ursa and The County General. While the event is free, food tickets can be bought at the Homegrown Park Crawl site. All proceeds will go to the foundation’s Homegrown Natural Parks Project; the project taps local skill and invention to further 'greenify' the Garrison Corridor in the city's west end. To cut down on waste and refuse, the organizers encourage everyone to bring their own mugs, bowls and blankets.
Along with catchy musical interludes to propel attendees from one park to another, there will be special performances by artists such as the funky six-piece Heavyweights Brass Band, afro-Brazilian stilt-drumming group MaracaTall and 16-member “percussion posse”, Samba Squad.
If you’re looking for a family- and eco-friendly adventure this weekend, the Homegrown Park Crawl just may be the ticket. Take advantage of four of Toronto’s best green spaces, while enjoying local food, music and artistry. Happy crawling!
– the urbaneer team
Have we made you smile about city living?
Check out our Toronto Neighbourhood Pages on local amenities that make life so vibrant in our progressive liberated city.
Consider signing up in the box below to receive our FREE monthly newsletter on housing, culture and design, including our specialty in Toronto real estate and unique urban homes!
City Living