Centre For Local Research into Public Space (CELOS)
Show search options
You are on the home page of celos.ca 
You are on the [cover page] of folder [CELOS (Main)]- research by ordinary people that is disciplined, critical, well-documented and public
CELOS: pronounced "see-loss", is a very small, non-profit organization with charitable status (as of 2009), which since 2000 has been documenting our work in the area of public urban space, mainly (but not only) parks. This is who we are and what we do.
Public spaces in this time
still very few campfires, for a stiff fee
bake oven use allowed, for a stiff fee
July 2022
Over two years of varying restrictions blocked activities and social life in Toronto parks and all other public spaces. Ontario (and Toronto) has now lifted the majority of the restrictions (not all). The (current) official Public Health rules are here).
The restrictions have caused much hardship over the past two ++ years.*
And public space has shrunk considerably.
July 2022
Public Spaces, public discourse: Covid-19
Public Spaces, public discourse: Ukraine
see also Website Usage
Publications
Disseminating information about public space
For our current set of publishing activities, see
- CELOS Booklets
- CELOS Information Bulletins
- CELOS Speakers' Series
- CELOS Reports
- CELOS Slide Shows
- CELOS Videos
- CELOS book draft, 2016
Friends of Dufferin Grove Park began a monthly newsletter in September 2000, which has been published by CELOS since 2003. CELOS also distributes a weekly web newsletter about the Dufferin Park Farmers' market, and an occasional e-newsletter about Toronto city rinks.
CELOS 2018 AGM Agenda, May 12, 2019
CELOS projects
Local:
Dufferin Grove Park Conservancy link
Cob Maintenance link
Dan’s Table Maintenance
Adventure Playground Maintenance
Northwest Corner Revitalization Project education link
Websites reorganization (slow but steady): dufferinpark.ca, cityrinks.ca, publicbakeovens.ca, celos.ca
Citywide:
Skate lending/Regent Park link
Laneways link
International:
Bake ovens connections link
Partnerships:
Parksite: (Big on Bloor) Darren Leu/Dyan Marie:
Block Party Supply (Christie Pits waste diversion project) link
Botanicus Art Ensemble (MacGregor Park archway)
Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee (shipping container café)
Build a Better Bloor Dufferin link
Financial Report link
Discussion
- What’s happening in 2019. See e.g. the map page we made of local development projects, here.
- CELOS "pile of bricks" oven is going to the Milky Way community garden, see garden video here.
Community Consultation
Here is a recent picture showabout the unmaking' of Dufferin Grove Park.'
The 2010 report by Dave Harvy and (Toronto Park People), funded by the Metcalf Foundation Fertile Ground for New Thinking Dave's concludes that it's time for Torontonians involved with parks to join their voices in bringing about park improvements.
You can find out about the Recreation Service Plan by going to this city webpage. You can find out how the consultations were set up by looking at this staff report.
Here is the City's list of "stakeholders" who were contacted to give their opinions about the Recreation Service Plan in May and June, 2011 (and the Parks Plan in September 2011). Here's the city's stakeholder list with contact links. If your "park friends" or advisory group is not on the list of groups who will be asked for their views, you can e-mail 311@toronto.ca and ask them to help you get on it.
