Park Perceptions and Racialized Realities is a community-based participatory research project that explores the experiences of racialized and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) in public greenspaces. This research project was conducted in collaboration with Greenchange, Jane/Finch Centre and the St. James Town Community Co-operative. Research ethics was received through York University (STU2021-087).

Eighteen racialized resident photographers from Jane and Finch or St. James Town participated in the project. Each went on two greenspace visits to take photographs in response to prompts that considered issues such as access, safety, health, and wellbeing. Each photographer also participated in an individual interview to debrief their photographs and experiences as racialized residents in public greenspaces. Community residents, community advisory members and scholars collaborated on ‘sensemaking’ to identify important concepts represented by the photographs and their associated narratives. Eight key themes were identified: (1) belonging and social connection, (2) exclusion, (3) mental health and wellbeing, (4) right to play and children’s recreation, (5) maintenance inequities, (6) access and accessibility, (7) safety, (8) gentrification and complex use of space.

Racialized residents in both neighbourhoods identified structural and systemic barriers to accessing, using, and navigating greenspaces. Discussions about greenspaces were an entry point to examining broader issues and barriers faced by racialized residents. Many of the experiences highlighted transcend the two neighbourhoods represented and are common to others living in underserved, marginalized and racialized neighbourhoods across the City of Toronto.

Key recommendations identified by residents include: 1) prioritizing equitable access to high-quality greenspaces in racialized neighbourhoods; 2) ensuring the inclusion and maintenance of amenities that racialized residents are asking for; 3) directing resources equitably; 4) ensuring accountability by evaluating and tracking greenspace changes; 5) winterizing outdoor public greenspaces and creating more free indoor community spaces that can be accessed during the cold season; 6) improving safety for all, particularly for racialized women. Residents also identified additional recommendations specific to Jane and Finch and St. James Town. Key principles to guide equitable decision-making and future directions include commitment to equity and anti-racism, understanding of the complexity of resident experiences, meaningful community engagement and collaborative action with community.

For more information and to find this report online, visit:

https://www.yorku.ca/euc/research-projects/park-perceptions