La Forêt Éphémère, or The Ephemeral Forest, at Parc Jarry in Montreal, was an initiative led by the community park group Coalition des amis du Parc Jarry (CAP Jarry) and funded by a TD Park People Winter Grant, to give cast-off Christmas trees a second life, promote time outdoors, and foster community.

Residents of Montreal were invited to bring their old Christmas trees to Parc Jarry, plant them in pre-made wooden stands, and attach little notes of wishes and hopes for the new year, for all to read. Collectively these trees transformed the park into an ephemeral forest and a new space and place for residents to walk through and enjoy. Moreover, it fostered a sense of connection between park goers and the Christmas tree owners during a time when social interaction has been rare but desperately needed.

Learn more about La Forêt Éphémère here.