Exploring Disparities in Park Access and Experience: A Case Study of Toronto, Ontario

According to the City of Toronto Strategy (2019), Toronto has over 1,500 parks in approximately 7,700 hectares of land scattered throughout the City, equating to 28m2 of parkland per person. This paper explores the provision of parkland throughout the City of Toronto, while intersecting the practice of urban and environmental planning with wider themes of environmental justice and equity. If parks are unevenly distributed, then so are the benefits that they provide. This research paper looks beyond the geographic distribution of parks, to critically examine the quality and user experience of these public spaces in socio-economically contrasting neighbourhoods to attempt to highlight themes of environmental inequity and environmental injustice in the context of the City of Toronto. Through this essay, I will argue why the practice of urban planning and more specifically, parks planning in a neoliberal context such as Toronto, works to perpetuate injustices that already exist through the exclusion of participatory planning practices. I argue that it is vital to equitable parks planning to create meaningful community engagement opportunities that considers the varying needs of contrasting communities. This study will build on existing theoretical and empirical conversations on how the intersection of socioeconomic inequality, racialized poverty and environmental degradation disproportionately impact vulnerable groups in Toronto and how different levels of access to quality park spaces contribute to environmental justice. Through intense site observations, a created site audit tool, as well as questionnaire responses, this study uncovers the different qualities and user experiences that exist at parks within four neighbourhoods which consist of contrasting socio-economic characteristics. The results of this study demonstrate that user experience and park quality are much greater in the neighbourhoods of higher socioeconomic statuses or that have recently received investment through urban revitalization processes. Findings also highlight the importance of considering the unique needs of a particular neighbourhood and the residents, rather than a one-size-fits all approach when planning and enhancing local parks.