Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division
Encyclopedia
The City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division is the division of the Toronto
municipal government responsible for city-owned parks, forests, and recreation centres. The division governs over 3 million trees, 1473 named parks, 839 sports field, 140 community centres, and about 670 other recreational facilities including: pools, golf courses, ski centres, greenhouses and ferries. Each year, more than 1.2 million Toronto residents participate in over 54,000
recreation and leisure programs offered by the division.
. Before 1998 the department was known as Metro Toronto Parks and Culture and merged with:
The division reported to a deputy city manager and with the new executive committee it will report to Paula Fletcher
, chair of Parks and Environment committee and Joe Mihevc
of the Community Development and Recreation committee.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
municipal government responsible for city-owned parks, forests, and recreation centres. The division governs over 3 million trees, 1473 named parks, 839 sports field, 140 community centres, and about 670 other recreational facilities including: pools, golf courses, ski centres, greenhouses and ferries. Each year, more than 1.2 million Toronto residents participate in over 54,000
recreation and leisure programs offered by the division.
History
In 1884, an administrative group named the Committee on Public Walks and Gardens, was officially created to oversee the city’s parks and green space. Before then, the city as a whole was responsible for them since the incorporation of Toronto in 1834. In the nineteenth century, the focus of the committee was on the maintenance of green space and the provision of walks and gardens; not much was addressed in terms of recreational activities or recreation facilities. In the early twentieth century, the social conditions of the city changed dramatically, and supervised recreational activities became a subject of interest. The twentieth century also marked the development of playgrounds around the city. In 1912, there were no playgrounds; by 1947 there were 121. Picnic and recreational facilities were also opened up around the city in the parks. In 1945, the department was given the responsibility to oversee the creation and maintenance of community centres. In 1947, the department was renamed as the Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2005, the Department of Parks and Recreation was split into the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division and the Toronto Economic Development and Culture DivisionToronto Economic Development and Culture Division
The Toronto Economic Development and Culture Division is responsible for the economic wellbeing of Toronto and to promote cultural events and venues in Toronto. It was formerly a part of Toronto Parks and Recreation and was created in April 2005....
. Before 1998 the department was known as Metro Toronto Parks and Culture and merged with:
- Toronto Parks and Culture
- ScarboroughScarborough, OntarioScarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
Parks and Recreation - North York Parks and Recreation
- Etobicoke Parks and Recreation
- East YorkEast YorkEast York can refer to:*East York, Pennsylvania, United States*East York, Ontario, Canada...
Parks and Recreation - City of YorkYork, OntarioYork is a dissolved municipality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River. Formerly a separate city, it was one of six municipalities that amalgamated in 1998 to form...
Parks and Recreation
The division reported to a deputy city manager and with the new executive committee it will report to Paula Fletcher
Paula Fletcher
Paula Fletcher is a Canadian politician. In 2003, she was elected to the Toronto City Council for Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth.-Background:...
, chair of Parks and Environment committee and Joe Mihevc
Joe Mihevc
Joe Mihevc is a city councillor in Toronto, Canada. He represents one of the two St. Paul's wards, Ward 21 St. Paul's.-Background:...
of the Community Development and Recreation committee.
Vision
The City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division’s vision is for Toronto to be known by the world as a “City within a Park”, a tapestry of parks, open spaces, rivers and streets that will connect their neighbourhoods and join them with their clean, vibrant lakefront.Branches
Currently, the Division is organized into seven branches: Parks; Community Recreation; Parks Development and Infrastructure Management; Divisional Coordination and Community Engagement; Urban Forestry; Strategic Services; and Management Services.Operation
The Division organizes the city into five districts: North, South, East, West and Central Services and Waterfront. The Central Services and Waterfront District is responsible for cross-city issues as well as specific services such as the ferry services. The North, East, South and West Districts are further divided into three physical areas. Each of these subdivisions has a manager in charge of the operation of recreational programming, facilities and parks; a Technical Services and Urban Forestry Section responsible for the delivery of forestry services, facilities and park maintenance, and janitorial support; and an Operations Support Co-ordinator in charge of overseeing the cohesiveness of their subdivision with others as well as the community.FUN Guide
The department releases a semi-annual booklet called the FUN Guide, providing information on programs and services available for people of all ages. There is a booklet produced for each city district: Etobicoke York, North York, Scarborough and Toronto & East York. The booklet is organized by topics such as: Adapted/Integrated Services, Preschool, Registration, Arts, Camps, Fitness and Wellness, Jobs, Leadership, Older Adults, Permits, Skating, Ski & Snowboarding, Sports, Swimming, Youth, and Volunteers. Other recreational activities and services provided by the division are: camping facilities, community centres, cycling, discovery walks, golfing, and tennis.Responsibilities
The Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division is responsible for:- city parks, parkettes and gardens - this excludes Rouge ParkRouge ParkRouge Park will become an urban national park located along the border of Toronto and Pickering, Ontario, Canada. It will be Canada's first national park within a municipality....
and those under the Toronto and Region Conservation AuthorityToronto and Region Conservation AuthorityToronto and Region Conservation Authority or Office de protection de la nature de Toronto et de la région is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario, Canada... - beaches, including those on the Toronto IslandsToronto IslandsThe Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in the city of Toronto, Ontario. Comprising the only group of islands in the western part of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands are located just offshore from the city centre, and provide shelter for Toronto Harbour...
- tree planting in parks and roadways;
- recreation facilities - swimming pools (not attached to schools), splash pads, community centres, tennis courts, skating arenas and rinks;
- horticultureHorticultureHorticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
and forestryForestryForestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
programs, park and open space planning and other environmental initiatives; - the development and delivery of recreation programs to all ages;
- facility management and maintenance;
- community development, parks, horticulture and forestry programs, park and open space planning and environmental initiatives;
- the operation of specialized services, including the Toronto Island ferry servicesToronto Island Ferry ServicesThe Toronto Island Ferry connects the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario to the mainland of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The ferry provides access to the islands for recreational visitors, access to the mainland for island residents, and access to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which is located at...
, golf courses, waterfront and regional parks systems.
Marinas
Some marinas are owned by the city, some are operated by private clubs:- Bluffer's Park Marina - City of Toronto
- Ashbridge's Bay Marina - City of Toronto
- Leslie Spit Marina - City of Toronto
- Centre Island Marina
- Mugg's Island Marina - private
- South Island Marina
- Algonquin Island Marina
- Ontario Place Marina
- Humber Bay Park Marina - City of Toronto
- Colonel Samuel Smith Park Marina - City of Toronto
Fleet
- ChevroletChevroletChevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
Silverado maintenance truck - Ford maintenance truck model F-350
- Ford maintenance van model F-250Ford Super DutyFor the 1999 model year, Ford shifted the F-250 and F-350 truck lines to a design mechanically and cosmetically distinct from that of the F-150. The F-350 was not available for 1998, while the F-250 was available that year with the F-150's body...
See also
- Toronto Economic Development and Culture DivisionToronto Economic Development and Culture DivisionThe Toronto Economic Development and Culture Division is responsible for the economic wellbeing of Toronto and to promote cultural events and venues in Toronto. It was formerly a part of Toronto Parks and Recreation and was created in April 2005....
- Dempsey Store (North York)