Learn more about

Park Your Stories

Stories strengthen communities & people.

They can be transformative for both the storyteller and the listener. They can make you laugh, cry, and think.

Park your Stories is inviting people (or GRANDs) to write short (300 words) personal stories.

The stories will be for themselves, for story circles, and, if interested, for a podcast or radio series.

Coaches are available to help you craft your story.

Park Your Stories Gatherings

Heath Park & Pool

June 4th, 2025
1pm - 3pm
1251 Heath Street
Central Natural Environmental Garden

July 23rd, 2025
11am - 1pm
Central Avenue at 10th Avenue (by corner of Central Avenue & Balmoral Street)
Roots CFC Lillie Street Urban Farm Garden

August 27th, 2025
11am - 1pm
125 Lillie Street South
Mission Marsh Conservation Area

September 24th, 2025
11am - 1pm
106th St on Mission Island

Park Your Story participants will be invited to share their stories with the group but there is no obligation to do so. No writing experience is necessary but a life well-lived is a bonus! This is designed to help you write your story from your heart.

Please bring:

A device like an iPad but pen and paper is encouraged!
Bring your water bottle & a snack if you’d like. Only our June 4th event at Heath Park will be catered.
A sun hat or something to protect you from the sun.
Some chairs will be provided but we also encourage you to bring a preferred chair if you’d like.

We use 15-minute blocks to get you started on your short story - basically a mini-memoir! Some even think about these sessions as rocket fuel to launch a goal of writing a memoir, while some just enjoy the process of writing a single story.

READ A SAMPLE STORY

What is an Age BIG story?

It's a short (300 word), light-hearted, quick read that could make the reader smile, bring back a memory or identify with the experience.

What is not an Age BIG story?

It's not about politics, cultural critiques, news issues or therapeutic journaling.

You'll be given some writing prompts to help you shape your memories. Here's a few samples:

A special time spent with a grandparent was...
I have a special bond with an animal named..
If I designed a t-shirt, it would have a slogan on it such as...
I got my nickname because...

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It’s free! Thanks to 8 80 Cities & The Balsam Foundation. This project is one of thirty in Ontario to be awarded an Ontario Changemakers Award!
Your story is important. We’ll have coaches to help you share your story in a written or audio format. We encourage you to tell your tale and be heard. Think of this project as Day One of writing your memoir instead of I’ll get around to it One Day!
Please bring a water bottle, sun hat, a chair (some will be provided but we recommend bringing your own). You’ll also need writing utensils and paper, or an iPad or electronic device.
Plus, don’t forget your creativity!
Usually no food will be served, so if you need to bring a bagged lunch or snack, please feel free! We recommend you bring a drink with you as well.
We LOVE parks because they can be our outdoor cafes, our adult playgrounds and they’re free!
They can help us get our daily dose of fresh air and Vitamin D and let us appreciate the nature in our backyards. We get to slow down to connect with our neighbours face-to-face. Being outdoors grounds us and can give us energy. Being in a park adds a little play to our day!

Everyone is invited to our GRAND party, where we’ll unveil the custom benches designed by Westgate High School Art students and snack on delicious treats catered by Westgate High School’s Foods class. Come and see the chairs made by Westgate's carpentry students and the metal logo created by the Welding class.

Check out this photo from Nancy, Jo-Anne & Eli’s visit to Westgate’s art class.