Canada is Not Without a Sense of Irony

For the last two years, Newmindspace have been planning their first massive park event. For those two years, they have resisted the call of grass, believing that parks are prisons for fun: designated "fun zones", the only public places where people are really allowed to play.

For those two years, Newmindspace have waited patiently for the snow to have a massive snowball fight. Any backyard activity multiplied by one hundred can be deliriously fun in an urban setting! However, the snow has never been suitable: sometimes too powdery, more often too icy. The duo decided that their waiting was through, and via their website were able to raise the funds to purchase an emissions-free snowmaker to make the ideal packing snow. Over the next 36 hours, the pair will make snow in the Trinity Bellwoods gully with the help of a dedicated crew of late night volunteers.

This Saturday, Torontonians of all ages are invited to partake in an afternoon of sledding and a massive snowball fight. The fun starts at 2 PM and there may even be some hot chocolate!

An environmental statement on the group's website mentions that the number of kilowatt hours used to provide electricity to the snowmaker will be calculated and offsets purchased from a Canadian organization. Volunteers are still needed to tend the snowmaker this evening. If you would like to sign up, check out the volunteer wiki.

Photo by Youngna Park