Item - 2024.IE18.13

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommend that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to negotiate and sign, on behalf of the City, an Agreement with Parkrun Canada, to provide non-exclusive nominal fee permits for a community running pilot on the Martin Goodman Trail at Budapest Park, Sunnyside Park, and Sir Casimir Gzowski Park ending at Humber Bay Arch Bridge, for a one-year term, in compliance with the Non-Profit / Charitable Special Event Guidelines for City of Toronto Parks and Trails, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

For 20 years, Parkrun has been known globally as a free, family-friendly, volunteer-led, 5 kilometres run / jog / walk event taking place every Saturday morning in cities, towns and villages all over the world. Individual Parkrun events are organized by volunteer community members and promote healthy and active lifestyles for participants of all abilities. There is no cost to register or fundraise to take part, making Parkrun events accessible to residents of all economic backgrounds.

Parkrun sets out specific "Event Location and Course Design Guidance" that community organizers must adhere to in order to qualify as a Parkrun event, including the requirement to obtain permission from landowners for use of the venue at no cost. There are currently 51 events taking place under the Parkrun Canada umbrella, including at Downsview Park in Toronto and multiple cities in the Greater Toronto Area.

Community organizers in Ward 4 - Parkdale-High Park are proposing a Parkrun pilot, to take place along the Martin Goodman Trail in a 5 kilometres loop from Budapest Park to the Humber Bay Arch Bridge on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. The proposed route is accessible for participants of all abilities, including wheelchair users and parents or guardians with strollers. Low impact signage is set-up at the start and finish lines for a maximum of two hours during the event. Events are operated by five to 15 volunteers and is a great opportunity for community to be involved locally, including high school students fulfilling their volunteer hours requirements.

The proposed Parkrun event will allow for people in the Parkdale-High Park community to take advantage of existing City facilities and build a strong community based on an outdoor, healthy, active lifestyle. The route would remain open and accessible to other park users, and no costs will be incurred by Parks, Forestry and Recreation for the pilot. City staff would hold regular check-ins with community organizers to monitor and evaluate the pilot’s effectiveness to determine a go forward approach.