Parks as Belonging: Intersectional Qualitative Study in Toronto

Parks as Belonging: Intersectional Qualitative Study in Toronto
Season 2 Episode:26. October 20, 2026
Reveals how urban parks contribute to sense of belonging for diverse communities, informing our commitment to accommodating varied cultural and social practices.
Summary: Shows that belonging requires cultural recognition by feeling welcomed and seeing one's culture reflected in the space and its rules.Connection: Avoids imposing white, Western leisure norms; instead, provides flexible spaces for music, communal cooking, and diverse cultural celebrations.
Key Takeaways: • Belonging in parks is complex relational experience shaped by race and gender• Parks must accommodate cultural and social practices of marginalized communities• Sense of belonging requires more than physical access by it requires cultural recognition• Racialized communities use parks differently based on cultural traditions• Inclusive parks facilitate diverse forms of sociality and cultural expression
Keywords: Urban parks, belonging, intersectionality, Toronto, qualitative research.
Source: Urban parks as places for belonging: An intersectional qualitative study in Toronto, Nadha Hassen, Ayan Mohamed, Kobisha Rajeswaran, et al.
The Feminist Park is a pioneering intersectional feminist urban initiative that reimagines public green space through the lived experiences of women, migrants, LGBTQI+ people, and racialised communities. Rooted in care ethics, anti-racism, and queer theory, the project challenges the androcentric design of cities by co-creating inclusive, safe, and ecologically regenerative parks. By combining rigorous scientific research with grassroots feminist praxis, the Feminist Park advocates for the right to the city for all bodies,particularly those historically excluded from public space. Learn more and join the movement at www.feminist-park.org.