Evergreen

Community Planting Day at Evergreen Brick Works  

Join us for an exciting volunteer opportunity planting and gardening at the Evergreen Brick Works! 

The mounds in our parking lot have a tough life, surrounded by concrete and baked by heat. And yet the trees in them provide shade in a place where it is desperately needed. We’ve been working to support these key islands of greenery by rehabilitating the soil over the last few years. Now we’re honoured to be joined by youth from the Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag program to plant shrubs into the mounds, increasing biodiversity, helping with moisture retention and bringing more greenery to the Brick Works. Come help us plant some shrubs!  

Please note this planting will happen in an active parking lot! High-visibility gear and pylons will be provided, but attendees should be prepared to pay attention to their surroundings. This activity is best suited for volunteers aged 16 or older. 

Evergreen volunteers and the local community members are invited to join us in this stewardship effort. Come enjoy spring while planting with us!

👉 What You Bring:       

• Are passionate about gardening, nature and stewardship,    
• Enjoy working outside and want to get your hands dirty,    
• Are comfortable with physical work (digging, assisting with moving heavy plants and trees)    
• Are willing to work in some inclement weather (light rain, warm days, etc.)   
• Can respect and adhere to Health and Safety protocols as identified by staff to ensure the safety of all Evergreeners and community members;    
• No experience necessary.   
• All ages are welcome. Volunteers 14 and under are required to volunteer alongside a parent or guardian.  
  
  

🌟 Tasks & Responsibilities:    

• Navigating naturalized areas, parking lot mounds, and active parking lots  
• Digging holes using provided tools (shovels, and other tools) 
• Preparing plants (removing from containers, prepping roots)  
• Backfilling soil to cover the root systems 
  
  

⏰ When: This opportunity takes place at Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave) on Sunday May 24, 2026 from 10:00am-12:00pm (20 people).  

Due to limited spaces, volunteers will sign-up for shifts on a first come-first served basis. Volunteers are asked to remove themselves from schedules ASAP if their availability changes to make space for other volunteers.   

📍 Where & Getting Here: Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave). Accessible by TTC bus at Davisville Station or our free shuttle bus outside Broadview Station. Community Planting volunteers will arrive onsite and meet in Tiffany Commons. Click here to learn more about getting to the Brick Works.   

Important Note about Arrival Location: Construction is underway at Evergreen Brick Works this spring and summer. Building 14 is currently closed due to construction (where the Picnic Cafe is located). If we need to update the arrival location (i.e. Tiffany Commons) we will inform signed-up volunteers by email prior to May 24, 2026. Thank you for your understanding! 

🌳 How We Will Support You: Community Planting volunteers will arrive onsite and meet in Tiffany Commons. Any changes to the arrival location will be shared with volunteers in advance by email. Volunteers will receive further instruction at the beginning of the shift from experienced staff and volunteers.  

🤝 Perks & What You'll Gain: You’ll get to work with experts in urban agriculture and ecology and expand your experience and knowledge in these areas by learning through doing. Be a part of a larger community of people striving to make Toronto an even more green city!  

As always, 15% discount on Evergreen Garden Market purchases, and access to the Toronto Attractions Council Reciprocal Program are just some of the many ways we thank our volunteers who contribute 20+ hours in a season. 

🔎 Good to Know:   

• Parking is free for volunteers (while you are volunteering). Please read the Parking section for more info. 
• Dress appropriately for your shift. Long sleeves, long pants and closed toed shoes are an absolute must! 
• This is a physical role involving the lifting and moving of trees, shrubs, soil, etc.  
• Please bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and snacks to keep you energized throughout your shift(s).  
• Planting will take place in an active parking lot, attentiveness to your surroundings is a must. 
• Please be aware that due to construction, the path to our activity space may lead over uneven ground. 
• Please be mindful of your fellow volunteers as you sign up for shifts, making sure to cancel if you’re unable to come and taking into consideration shift courtesies. 
• The site may be busy (Sunday Vintage Market, etc.) We recommend that volunteers explore alternate ways of getting to site (walking, cycling, public transit) as parking and shuttle services will likely be busy.  

🚗Parking 

Parking is free for Evergreen volunteers while they are volunteering! To get free parking please email odziwak@evergreen.ca with the following information, ideally 24 hours before the day before you are volunteering. 

• Your Name 
• License plate number 
• Make, model and colour of your car 
• Province of registration 

If you miss the 24hr deadline, please register your car with the security guards in the Young Centre the day of.  

If this sounds like you: Click the “+sign-up” button next to your preferred shift(s) at the bottom of the page. Staff will follow up with applicants soon thereafter with more information and next steps.   

💚 Already a volunteer?  Log in to your volunteer profile and return to the role posting. Click on the “+sign-up” button toward the bottom of the page to apply.   

Accessibility Statement: Evergreen welcomes volunteer applications from persons of diverse backgrounds and is an equal opportunity organization. Accommodation will be provided as required under Evergreen’s Accommodation policy. Please make your needs known in advance.   

Questions? Reach out to Olivia Dziwak at odziwak@evergreen.ca or the Volunteer Engagement team at volunteer@evergreen.ca for more information.    

Interesting in volunteering with Evergreen’s annual gardening programs? Learn more and sign up below: 

• Become a Garden Circle volunteer: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/f2bbf2fe-0a9b-4b14-b71f-a9262b5aa3cd/Activity/402fd1fc-3638-44f4-962b-319d4a408031/1  
• Become a Compost Club volunteer: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/f2bbf2fe-0a9b-4b14-b71f-a9262b5aa3cd/Activity/cedabcbc-96a0-4463-a4ee-8a5cd34b2687/1