Green Working Group

The PARA Green Working Group focuses on greening the PARA neighbourhood as well as advocating for broader environmental responsibility, notably through our Green Plan.

Our main activities in the last year have been

• Zero Waste Pilot Project: In coordination with the Harbord Village Residents Association, PARA ran a Zero Waste pilot project to assist households in reducing their waste. Click Read More for more information.

• Pollinator Garden at Harbord Collegiate: After receiving a grant from PollinateTO, PARA worked in partnership with Harbord Collegiate to establish a pollinator garden in the school’s front yard.  Working with the students and community members, the garden beds were prepared and planted in May 2022. Students are using their volunteer hours to help with weeding and maintenance. The public are invited to help every Tuesday 6:30 - 8:00pm.

  Tree Canopy Project: As part of the annual Jane’s Walk program, the PARA Green Working Group holds a neighbourhood Tree Walk every spring. These walks are led by University of Toronto Forestry alumni Eric Davies. We stroll through our beautiful neighbourhood, discovering heritage trees - including a 200 year old Burr Oak that has been here before there was a PARA neighbourhood! 

  We are proud to support the PARA Native Tree Project, which is harnessing the energy of local residents working with the City of Toronto to restore the native tree canopy. Local volunteers plant indigenous oak trees in order to improve the urban forest canopy. To request your FREE oak tree, send an email to newheritageoaks@gmail.com.

• Community Clean-up Days: Every Spring and Falls, we hold our neighbourhood Cleanup Days, with the support of the Little Italy BIA. We gather at Healey Willan Park and then fan out to clean up our local streets and lane-ways. Hot drinks are generously provided by Cafe Diplomatico.