Bridging the Gap Between Health and Parks: Building a Community-Led Nature Prescribing Agenda in Canada

This project is in partnership with Park People, a national non-profit that supports community groups in parks, to explore how nature-based activities can be better used to support people’s health through green social prescribing or nature prescribing. Many communities, especially those that are racialized, low-income, or otherwise marginalized, face barriers to both accessing quality greenspaces and connecting with healthcare systems that could link them to nature programs. By bringing together community members, healthcare partners, and park groups across Canada, the project will identify challenges and co-create solutions for delivering equitable, community-led nature prescribing programs. This work will help Park People strengthen their park programs with a health equity focus, expand their reach, and pursue new funding opportunities. A Master of Public Health practicum student will support research, data collection, and knowledge-sharing activities to advance a long-term agenda for community-led, equitable NatureRx in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kate Mulligan

Student:

Partner:

Park People

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation; Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Toronto

Program: