Why Toronto’s recreation programs are underrated

Jun 4, 2026 · 7:00 pm · 3 min read

A cooking workshop using the kitchen at the East Bayfront Community Centre.
📸 Younes Bounhar/ Doublespace

The best way to try something new? Sign up to workshops and classes organized by the City of Toronto's recreation department.

Adele Lukusa

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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: it’s important to try out new things.

And what better way than taking advantage of the City of Toronto’s recreational programming?

This year, I’ve decided that it’s time to get into my sewing bag (literally and figuratively). With the help of the lovely people at the Greenwood and East Bayfront community centres, I’ve grown comfortable using a sewing machine and now have two completed(ish) projects to boot.

One is a zippered pouch I now use to store my sashiko project in, and the second is a tote bag I’m 95% done making. It would’ve been done earlier, had I not added a zipper, extra pockets, and contrast straps I sewed the wrong way.

A patterned red and mauve pink zippered pouch.
📸: Adele Lukusa/*The Green Line*.

A blue tote bag with pink contrast stitching and straps.
📸: Adele Lukusa/*The Green Line*.

I’m nowhere near being a pro, I still take forever to pin my projects and have fought many battles with faulty bobbins, broken needles, and once a machine’s feed dogs (the element that helps push your fabric away as you sew) decided to give up on me.

As someone still early into my sewing journey and a fashionista of sorts, it’s hard not to see all the flaws in my work. The too-small lining of my pouch, the randomly diagonal line on my tote’s front pocket, and more little flaws you’d only spot by paying attention. But I’ve gone a long way from not knowing a thing about a sewing machine, to now.

But City of Toronto recreation classes don’t just stop at sewing; there are so many cool programs the city offers. Whether you’re looking to get into swimming, cooking, woodworking, or even makeup, the city offers that class and more.

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That recreation program at your local community centre can change your life, so what are you waiting for? Sign-ups for summer classes just went live, so if you’re looking to fill up your calendar, then get to it. Or keep an eye out for fall classes, where there’ll be a lot more programming.

And if you’re low-income, don’t forget to sign up for the city’s recreation fee subsidy!

Do you have a rec for me? Email us at hello@thegreenline.to for all your suggestions or send us a DM on Instagram at @tglhelps.

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