About 8 80 TowerPOPS
8 80 TowerPOPS: Transforming Underused Spaces to Support Health Equity in Tower Neighbourhoods, is a 3-year multi-disciplinary project led by 8 80 Cities. The project aims to activate underused spaces in close proximity to large clusters of high-density apartment towers to improve physical health outcomes for the community.
8 80 TowerPOPS is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with additional neighbourhood-level support from United Way Greater Toronto.
À propos 8 80 TowerPOPS
8 80 TowerPOPS: Transformer les espaces sous-utilisés pour soutenir l’équité en matière de santé dans les quartiers des tours est un projet multidisciplinaire de trois ans mené par 8 80 Cities, qui se déroulera de janvier 2024 à janvier 2027, et qui vise à transformer les espaces sous-utilisés à proximité des grands ensembles de tours d’habitation à haute densité afin d’améliorer la santé physique.
8 80 TowerPOPS est financé par l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada (ASPC) et bénéficie d’un soutien supplémentaire au niveau des quartiers de la part de Centraide du Grand Toronto.
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Dates: 2024-2026
Meet the 8 80 TowerPOPS Communities
Our Funders & Partners
Cooksville, Mississauga
In the heart of Cooksville, Mississauga, an underused parking lot adjacent to the Cooksville GO station and surrounded by a tower cluster has been transformed into a vibrant community space for events, programming, and unstructured activity hosted by local organizations and residents alike.
As of 2025, the 6,000 sq m of space transformation introduced public furniture, a Play Library, planter beds with native plants, a stage, and a sport court. It has become a hub for community-centered programming, including community festivals, Bollywood dance sessions, open-air yoga classes, and gardening workshops, led by local partners such as Heart Comonos, Vibrant Cooksville, Blooming Boulevards, and EcoSource. New for 2026, TowerPOPS Youth Ambassadors supervise the Play Library, lending out games and sports equipment for community use on select weekends over the summer!
Rockcliffe-Smythe, Toronto
Located in west Toronto, 8 80 TowerPOPS Rockcliffe-Smythe backs onto Toronto’s extensive ravine system and acts as a “front yard” to the residents of the Jane-Woolner tower strip and the adjacent Toronto Community Housing building.
In 2025, the 350 sq m of space was transformed with raised Islamic-style garden beds with native plants, a community chalkboard, a Play Library, large harvest tables, and additional seating. Programming at this location has included community microgrant programs, crafting workshops, and youth soccer clinics hosted by a variety of partners and residents including Muslims in Public Space, TKOP, and Access Alliance. New for 2026, TowerPOPS Youth Ambassadors supervise the Play Library, lending out games and sports equipment for community use on select weekends over the summer!
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Thank you to our Funders
Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada is part of the federal health portfolio. Its activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, responding to public health threats, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision-making.
Agence de la santé publique du Canada
L’Agence de la santé publique du Canada fait partie du portefeuille fédéral de la santé. Ses activités sont axées sur la prévention des maladies et des blessures, la réponse aux menaces pour la santé publique, la promotion d’une bonne santé physique et mentale, et la transmission de renseignements qui favorisent la prise de décisions éclairées.
United Way Greater Toronto
United Way Greater Toronto’s day to day work has positive impact on the lives of individuals and in communities across our region. This work includes providing funding and other supports to a network of social service agencies and projects, as well as conceiving of community impact strategies and initiatives that engage public, private and social sector partners.