Greenest City is a program of West Neighbourhood House. Read more by visiting their page.
Summer Season Updates, Indigenous History Month, Land, and Community
June marks the beginning of summer and the approach of the Summer Solstice on June 20—the longest day of the year and a time to celebrate growth, renewal, and our deep connection to the land. This season invites us to tend our gardens, share in community, and care for the ecosystems that support us.
It’s also a time of abundance and action in our Parkdale community growing spaces. As veggies flourish and pollinators buzz around us, we are reminded of the rich biodiversity in the neighbourhood and our shared responsibility to nurture it. From growing food to supporting pollinators and composting, we deepen our relationship with the land by caring for what it gives and gives back.
June is also Indigenous History Month—a time to honour the knowledge, cultures, and enduring presence of Indigenous communities. As we mark this important month, we reflect on the long-standing relationships Indigenous Peoples have with this land and how their wisdom continues to guide and inspire our work toward justice, stewardship, and community healing.
1. Honouring Indigenous History Month: Greenest City Commitment & Events
West Neighborhood House -Greenest City program recognizes the importance of honouring the land on which we live, work, and strive for environmental sustainability. During National Indigenous History Month, we reflect on the rich histories, cultures, and ongoing challenges faced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. As an environmental Program, Greenest City acknowledges that the land we aim to protect is the traditional and unceded territory of diverse Indigenous Peoples who have cared for it since time immemorial. We are committed to listening, learning, and working toward a more just and sustainable future for all.
Events & Gatherings to acknowledge Indigenous Month
At Greenest City
Soil Circle of Conversation Around the Fire & Potluck
Friday, June 20 | 5:00–7:30 p.m. | Milky Way Garden
We’re proud to co-organize our second circle in partnership with Compost Toronto. Our first Soil Circle, held on March 22 in celebration of Earth Day, brought the community together to reflect and learn about soil health and its vital role in our ecosystem.
As part of our program’s ongoing commitment to righting our relationships with Indigenous Peoples—and in alignment with West Neighbourhood House’s Land Value—this month, we invite you to join us again around the fire for food, stories, and meaningful conversation. Together, we will explore the question: “How do we honour the land we gather on—not just today, but every day?”
We’re honoured to co-lead this gathering with Joe Durand from Compost Toronto, who reflects:
“Elder Vivian always reminds us that all of creation is our relation. Healthy soil is alive—it dances under the microscope. Composting, gardening, and caring for soil is my way of honoring these tiny relations. Let’s come together to reflect and share our experiences, learning from the wisdom of First Nations people.”
Join us for an evening of community, connection, and reverence for the land.
Three Sisters Planting & Teachings
Wednesday, June 25 | 4:00–6:30 p.m. | Milky Way & Dunn Indigenous Gardens
Join us for a hands-on planting activity led by Charlene Grandmaison (Parkdale Indigenous resident), Melissa Coiffee (Seeds Library), and Mayan Elder Nana Esperanza Ruiz, with drumming and song by Ambie Kehewin.
This is a celebration of Indigenous food systems, where we’ll explore how Indigenous traditional growing practices can shape the way we grow in Parkdale today.
Please RSVP to attend these events by contacting sandrale@westnh.org or phone 437-522-2070.
2. New Partnership:
Holistic Earth-Based Healing Journey
July–September 2025
We’re excited to announce the Holistic Earth-Based Healing Journey— a unique, community-based program co-led byCollaborative Learning College (CLC) at CAMH and Greenest City, West Neighbourhood House. This collaborative initiative explores the deep connections between healing ourselves and healing the Earth. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge, environmental practices, and community care, the series supports mental health recovery and builds resilience through land-based learning, herbal healing, food growing, creative expression, and climate-conscious practices.
️ The program runs from early July to late September
Join one or more sessions—no need to attend all!
Workshops are held online and onsite
Register and learn more at: clc.camh.ca
*Note: Registration is currently open for July workshops only.
Check back soon or subscribe to the CLC newsletter to be notified when additional sessions become available.
Workshops Lineup
July:
Workshop 1: Indigenous Seven Grandfather Teachings
Thursday, July 3 | 3:30–5:00 PM | Online
Facilitator. Anishinaabe Vivian Recollect.
Workshop 2: Mindfulness Nature Walk
Thursday, July 10 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Onsite @ High Park.
Facilitator: Liz Diaz. Mindfulness Coach
“Please see below for a brief description of the workshops taking place in August and September. Flyers and registration links will be shared closer to the event dates.”
August:
Workshop 3: Your Food Is Medicine
Wednesday, August 7 | 3:30–5:00 PM | Online
Facilitator: Julieta Duque. Food Educator & Lifelong Gardener
Workshop 4: Foundations of Herbal Healing
Thursday, August 14 | 3:30–5:00 PM | Online
Facilitator: Cathy Walker. Indigenous Certified Herbalist.
September:
Workshop 5: Pollinator Gardens Tour, Talk & Planting (Half-Day Event)
Tuesday, September 9 from 10:30 p.m to 1:30 p.m Onsite Dunn Indigenous garden & South Parkdale Pollinator Garden. .
Facilitators: Stephen Humphrey & Ally Lyske. Pollinators and native species educators.
Workshop 6: Container Indoor Herb Gardens
Thursday, September 18 Online | 3:30–5:00 PM | Online
Facilitator: Graydon Koehler (NS Undergraduate Student & Gardener)
Workshop 7: Closing Circle – Eco-Arts & Indigenous Traditional Medicine Wheel
Thursday, September 25 | Onsite. Dunn Indigenous Garden. Parkdale Dunn Parquet. from 2:00- 5:00 p.m
Facilitators Lumy Fuentes: Community-Arts Coaching and Vivian Recollect, Anishinaabe knowledge keeper
A reflective and creative gathering that includes Eco-Arts Collective creation and and Indigenous teachings
We invite you to share with your networks and encourage community members to join this Earth-based healing journey.
3- Partners Outreach Support:
Pollinator Census Map
Led by Access Alliance, the Pollinator Census is a citywide initiative inviting residents to take action in support of pollinators this summer!
Pollinators are precious and powerful. Over 80% of our flowering plants—including many food crops—rely on their hard work. Capturing scientific data on pollinator diversity, seasonality, and geographical location is critical to education and conservation efforts.
This pollinator census provides an opportunity for citizen scientists like YOU to contribute important data about the habitats and populations of pollinators in our city. Help us gather data on pollinator insect populations, increase entomological literacy, and foster pollinator habitats!
Greenest City is proud to be joining this initiative and we warmly invite our gardeners and community members to support it by helping count insects right here in Parkdale. Every observation helps strengthen local biodiversity efforts and awareness.
Importance of Pollinators Video:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFl5Oha4_k/veWvetzLbMluRghxHQdJEQ/edit?utm_content=DAFl5Oha4_k&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
Participate in the Pollinator Census – Access Alliance:
https://forms.gle/4hg8bPrZyjj4fz5m6
️ Summer
lunch+ Kids Program
We’re happy to support our friends at summerlunch+, a Toronto nonprofit offering 8 weeks of dietitian-led, hands-on cooking and nutrition education for children and families in Parkdale this summer!
summerlunch+—a Toronto-based nonprofit organization—is offering an engaging, 8-week cooking and nutrition program designed especially for kids. This program supports children in building lifelong healthy habits and cooking skills through fun, interactive learning.
While summerlunch+ is running the program independently, we’re thrilled to help spread the word and invite children and families from the Parkdale community to take part.
About the Program (July 2–August 23):
- Weekly grocery gift cards or meal kits, making it accessible to all
- Live virtual cooking classes (offered twice daily, Tuesday–Thursday)
- Self-paced modules, cooking videos, and 25 halal/vegetarian recipes
- Weekly games and fun activities
- A safe online space for kids to connect and share
- Classes are led by trained facilitators and dietitians
To receive the weekly grocery gift card, families must either:
- Join one live class and cook along, or
- Share a photo of a completed recipe dish
A caregiver must be present during cooking sessions to support safety and participation.
How to Register:
Please review the program details and register here:
Registration Form
Questions or need help registering?
Contact your local Food Champion: Sandra Leon – sandrale@westnh.org
Let’s make this a summer of delicious learning and empowerment for our Parkdale kids!
4- Greenest City Program Highlights
Message from Greenest City Manager:
- Updates of Milky Way Garden Renovations and OTF recognition:
Toronto, Parkdale ON – On Tuesday, June 10 at 11 am, Taikakon Parkdale-High Park MPP Alexa Gilmour toured with the West Neighbourhood House team, Milky Way Core gardeners, and Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust to hear more about the $147,200 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to upgrade infrastructure at the 7700 square foot outdoor garden and community gathering space.
Since 2007, the land at 87 Milky Way has been used by newcomers and adult ELL students as a garden to grow culturally appropriate food, increase food access, learn English, and steward the land. In 2017, the land was bought by the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust (PNLT). This is Toronto’s first community-owned land, located in the Parkdale neighbourhood, and community members have truly made it their own. The site has hosted hundreds of people over the years.
West Neighbourhood House’s Greenest City program is animating the Milky Way Hub space and is continuing to bring the vision of the community into fruition. We have successfully fundraised for and built new raised beds, an Indigenous medicine wheel garden, a pergola, site grading, and now, through this grant brought electricity to the site, created site accessibility by building water-permeable pathways and event space with ‘ecoraster’, increased stormwater management by building a swale, and supported the functionality of the site with lighting and a cedar shed that demonstrates a sedum green roof.
- West NH Climate Action Coordinator:
West Neighbourhood House has hired a new Climate Action Coordinator who will be focusing on green technology for our buildings, assist in developing a climate action strategy that includes emergency planning for the impacts of climate change (heat, flooding, rising costs of food) with our community members who are most vulnerable and working with programs and staff to lead and take action on climate change issues. We look forward to seeing and working with Janani Venkatesh around the neighbourhood of West Neighbourhood House!
️Canada Summer Jobs 2025: Welcome Our Environmental Program Coordinator
We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to the Canada Summer Jobs program, Greenest City will be welcoming a new Environmental Program Coordinator to our team for the season!
This position plays a key role in supporting our summer programming—helping to coordinate gardening sessions, environmental education, composting initiatives, and community events across the Milky Way, Hope and Dunn Indigenous gardens.
Our new team member will bring fresh energy and support to Greenest City’s mission of community-led sustainability, food justice, and land-based learning.
We’re excited to have them on board and look forward to all the amazing work we’ll do together this summer! As soon as we hire them we will send out the news!!
DIG: Dunn Indigenous Garden — Community, Culture & Growth
This year, Dunn Indigenous Garden -DIG- has come alive with activity, ceremony, and community connection. Greenest City is honoured to support the work Indigenous community members are leading in this sacred and healing space. From planting to storytelling, gatherings around the fire, and reconnecting with traditional knowledge, DIG has become a vibrant hub in Parkdale.
Let’s hear directly from Charlene Grandmaison, the Garden Coordinator, on what’s been happening:
“ DIG is in full bloom and full spirit, with strong attendance from the Parkdale Indigenous community. Many of our community members began planting a month ago alongside the 4-Winds Indigenous Circle, who meet regularly at the Parkdale Community Health Centre before heading to DIG to tend to their garden beds and nurture a variety of vegetables.
Elder Vivian Recollect joins us, planting veggies in her bed and strawberries and sweetgrass in the Medicine Wheel Garden—bringing teachings and presence that ground the space. We’ve also shared community time around the fire pit with the South Parkdale Community Pollinator Gardens—enjoying herbal tea, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, and connecting in good ways.
Drumming with Nicole and sharing stories have become highlights of our gatherings. And if you’re around early in the morning, you might spot me—or my —watering the garden.
As the Volunteer Cree Coordinator of DIG, it fills me with pride to witness our community reconnect with the land. This is what Land Back looks like—living, growing, and thriving together” Chi Miigwetch to Creator
Meet Charlene Grandmaison: The new Dunn Indigenous Garden Outreach Coordinator, whose invaluable support has been instrumental in bringing the Indigenous community together through gardening, ceremony, and cultural connection. Charlene is a proud Cree woman from Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan and a member of the Wolf Clan. A lifelong advocate, knowledge keeper, and matriarch, She has dedicated her life to uplifting Indigenous communities through leadership and grassroots action. Her career includes roles with Indigenous-led organizations like CESO and the City of Toronto, where she advanced Indigenous engagement and community well-being. Now retired, Charlene remains a strong presence in Parkdale, supporting cultural restoration, ceremony, and land-based learning through initiatives like the Four Winds Indigenous Collective. Her quiet strength and deep wisdom continue to inspire healing and connection across generations.
H.O.P.E Garden Updates
We’re excited to share all the great progress at Hope Garden this season! Ten new gardeners have joined us, and our beds are already buzzing with activity. We hosted a rat prevention workshop and carried out a major cleanup with the amazing support of CIBC corporate volunteers and Urban Agriculture Volunteers. Kids have also started planting in their garden beds, and several community members have helped beautify the space by removing trash and planting flowers. We’ve also begun transforming neglected areas into vibrant communal plots for growing food and pollinator plants. This season, we’ll be adding more native species with the kids, aiming to create an even more welcoming and biodiverse environment.
A big thank-you to all the gardeners who’ve committed their time and care to this work. Special shout-out to steering committee members Annet Barragán and Manuel Marulanda—Manuel has started a beautiful flower garden along the garden perimeter that’s already brightening the space.
Together, we can support HOPE Garden to thrive!
Great Garden Adventure: Kids Growing the Future
Launched on May 16, this fun, hands-on gardening program brings local kids into the Milky Way Garden, Hope Garden, and Dunn Indigenous Garden every other Friday to connect with the Earth, learn about growing food, and discover the wonders of the natural world.
So far, we’ve hosted three sessions, where young gardeners began planting veggies in their very own plots! The first two sessions were led by our amazing educator Melissa Coiffee, and our third session was delivered in collaboration with wonderful community volunteers Lucia Salas and Beatriz Puertas.
But the adventure is just beginning! We’ll be running seven more sessions throughout the summer, continuing until early September when school begins.
What’s Coming Up:
Throughout the season, the kids will:
- Water and care for their garden plots
- Plant pollinators and native species
- Learn about pollinators, insects, caterpillars, and butterflies, and their role in local biodiversity
- learn about soil health while exploring composting and vermicomposting
- Build your beehive
- Go bird watching and enjoy nature observation
- Express their creativity through eco-arts activities
This program nurtures curiosity, responsibility, and a sense of wonder while deepening kids’ connection to food, nature, and community.
Stay tuned for more updates—and thank you to all the volunteers and families helping us grow the next generation of eco-leaders!
Cross-Pollinating Growth with the West NH Newcomer Youth Program
This season, Greenest City is proud to once again open up space and learning opportunities for the West Neighbourhood House Newcomer Youth Program—a vibrant cross-program partnership rooted in land, learning, and connection.
So far, newcomer youth have played an active role in supporting the Dunn Indigenous Garden clean-up, deepening their understanding of Indigenous land stewardship. They’ve also been helping with some gardening tasks at the Milky Way Garden, where they have been allocated a growing bed and planted a thoughtful mix of vegetables and pollinator species, learning firsthand about the interconnections between food systems, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
This “pollinate cross-program” initiative not only brings together diverse youth through shared garden care, but also weaves together knowledge, culture, and environmental action in meaningful ways.
We look forward to seeing how this partnership continues to grow and inspire! Thanks, Jorge Cordero, Kahlia Brown, and Chloe Rodrigues, for inspiring the youth and working hand in hand with them.
♻️ Partner Spotlight: Compost Toronto – Growing Soil, Growing Community
We’re grateful for our continued partnership with Compost Toronto, who once again are helping us transform food scraps, garden greens, and brown materials into healthy, living soil—nurturing both our gardens and our community.
So far this season, we’ve built two thermophilic compost piles in the Milky Way Garden, and distributed nutrient-rich compost from last winter’s resting pile to support this year’s planting.
Looking ahead, we plan to expand composting efforts into the Dunn Indigenous Garden and will soon announce upcoming compost workshops to share more hands-on learning opportunities.
Thank you, Compost Toronto, for your continued partnership and support in growing both soil and community.
Parkdale Food Market Updates
We’re sad to share that Greenest City will not be running the Parkdale Community Food Market this summer.
We know how important this initiative is to the community, and this was a difficult decision due to loss of funding.
The good news is that we are currently reaching out to local organizations to step forward to continue offering fresh, low-cost food options in Parkdale and continue the wonderful impact of the Market. We’re hopeful about this transition!
Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more information soon about the new community-led market and how you can continue to support or take part.
Thank you for your understanding and for standing with us as we work toward lasting food justice in our neighbourhood.
Posthumous Tribute
This year, we mourn the loss of two cherished members of our community who have sadly passed away. Their contributions, spirit, and dedication touched many lives and left a lasting impact on all of us. As we remember them, we honor their legacy and the positive difference they made in our community. May their memories continue to inspire and guide us forward.
We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and all who knew them.
We want to take a moment to remember Zorida Mohamed, a beloved gardener and community member known for her charisma, generosity, and deep wisdom. Zorida was a constant presence in Hope Garden, always ready with kind advice, a helping hand, and unwavering support for our programs. Her spirit touched many, and her legacy lives on in the garden spaces she helped nurture.
Below some words shared by Esther Marshal on behalf of Hope Garden and Greenest City:
Remembering Zorida Mohammed
Zorida is no longer with us, but while she was, she graced us with her presence, friendliness, experience and wisdom, having served with us on the Greenest City’s Hope Garden Steering Committee through January 2025.
Whether she was digging in the community garden, serving at the garden festivals and potlucks, or participating in garden workshops, Zorida was an active participant in all that was going on, offering advice, offering help, supporting others, commenting, and generally being a good soul and in good spirits. As a result, being around Zorida had the effect of uplifting all around her.
With respect to her time on the Garden Steering Committee, she was first and foremost respectful. That respect was manifested in her listening to what others had to say, to their stories, suggestions and what they had to offer. Zorida’s respect was further complemented by her own offerings of ideas, suggestions, and help. And all that Zorida offered was based on her generosity, caring, her love of others, her sense of community, and being part of our community.
We miss Zorida. We miss her friendship and all that she offered us individually and collectively. We miss all that she contributed to our lives. And while Zorida is no longer with us, she has left us a rich legacy of beautiful moments, memories, and the most beautiful of smiles. These are a blessing …… a blessing that gives us the strength to keep advancing our gardening enterprise.
Rest in Peace!
We also want to stop some minutes to honour the life of Kacey—a cherished community member, local artisan, and vendor who participated in our Parkdale Community Food Market in 2023 and 2024, as well as Seedy Saturday, where she shared her beautiful homemade hair products. Kacey passed away at the end of March, and her
presence, creativity, and warmth are deeply missed. A heartfelt tribute has been created by her close friend EM, who honours Kacey’s memory with love and care.
June Gardening Tips – Tending Summer’s Growth
Summer is here, and our gardens are thriving with life—veggies, pollinators, and sometimes even a few pests. Here are a few seasonal tips to keep your garden healthy, resilient, and joyful this month:
Water wisely
Water deeply in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation and encourage strong root systems. Shallow watering = shallow roots!
Support pollinators
Add plants like calendula, marigold, echinacea, bee balm, or borage to attract beneficial insects. Let herbs like dill, cilantro, and basil flower to feed bees and butterflies.
Prune & pinch
Remove lower leaves and suckers from tomato plants for better airflow. Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms and productivity.
Watch for pests—invite helpers
Look under leaves for pests like aphids and cabbage worms. Ladybugs, birds, and spiders are natural allies in the garden.
Mulch your beds
Use straw, dried leaves, or compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems to avoid rot.
Create a pollinator patch or wild corner
A small patch of native wildflowers or “weeds” like dandelions supports birds, bees, and butterflies—and increases biodiversity in your yard or garden.
Rodent prevention in community gardens
- Clean up fallen produce and food scraps regularly
- Avoid composting cooked/oily food in open piles
- Use sealed compost bins
- Plant strong-smelling herbs like mint, lavender, or sage
- Apply coffee ground mixed with garlic extract, boiled in water
More tips here – Gardening Know How
Volunteer Appreciation
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Urban Agriculture and Kids Program volunteers for your incredible support this summer.
Lori Marsden, Azeez Musibau Alabi, Jash Rowsell, Airlie Clarke, AnneJoly, Ryan Bigg, Flora Doohan, Lucia Salas and Beatriz Puertas: your time, care, and dedication have helped our gardens thrive and made meaningful learning experiences possible for the children and families we serve.
Your work nurtures not only plants, gardens but also community building.
❤️Looking Back: Cultivating Connection: Greenest City’s Vision Through ‘Land Corner'”
On November 15th, West Neighbourhood House held its annual in-person Staff Assembly, and I was honoured to contribute a visual reflection inspired by the House’s Land Value.
The installation, titled “Land Corner,” wove together visual elements that invited contemplation on how Greenest City—through growing food, nurturing biodiversity, and fostering right relationships with Indigenous Peoples—brings these values to life.
I hope this piece sparked meaningful emotions, thoughts, and reflections on climate action and sustainability, especially in these times of deepening environmental challenges.
In many ways, this offering is a reflection of my legacy: a small but heartfelt contribution to our collective awareness, to caring for the Earth and each other, and to building a more just and sustainable future for all.
Thank you to West Neighbourhood House for the opportunity to reflect on the Land Value.
“True climate action must be rooted in popular education and social justice—because only through shared knowledge and collective power can we build a future that’s sustainable, inclusive, and fair for all, humans and non-humans.”
With gratitude
Sandra Leon
All our relations
West Neighbourhood House, Greenest City program continue our commitment to opening spaces for social justice, righting relations with indigenous people, and climate actions that support our community members’ wellbeing and sustainable ways of living
Let’s continue working together to build a greener and more connected future! 
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