Photography by Raquel Perez
The Gather & Grow Festival lived up to its name earlier this month when more than 175 residents of University Family Housing (UFH) assembled on the rooftop garden at 30 Charles Street to plant, play and connect.
Families planted native perennials, shared laughter and embraced sustainability at the event, which replaces UFH’s long-running Spring Rooftop Festival.
The Gather & Grow Festival lived up to its name earlier this month when more than 175 residents of University Family Housing (UFH) assembled on the rooftop garden at 30 Charles Street to plant, play and connect.
Families planted native perennials, shared laughter and embraced sustainability at the event, which replaces UFH’s long-running Spring Rooftop Festival.
“This year we wanted to update the Spring Rooftop Festival to focus more on sustainability and finding ways to be kind to the planet while still celebrating as a community,” said Housing Life Coordinator Song Limpanapongpan on the reasoning behind the refreshed identity.
“In a more metaphorical sense, we feel this new name signifies how UFH continues to grow our community life offerings, always looking for ways to innovate on previous events and programs while staying true to the value they bring to the people who live here.”
“This year we wanted to update the Spring Rooftop Festival to focus more on sustainability and finding ways to be kind to the planet while still celebrating as a community,” said Housing Life Coordinator Song Limpanapongpan on the reasoning behind the refreshed identity.
“In a more metaphorical sense, we feel this new name signifies how UFH continues to grow our community life offerings, always looking for ways to innovate on previous events and programs while staying true to the value they bring to the people who live here.”
That sense of growth played out across the 10,000-square-foot terrace as children raced back and forth with watering cans, proudly tending to the perennial plants native to Ontario that they had just planted. Parents snapped photos and cheered on kids playing Connect-4 and cornhole.
Sustainability was woven into every corner of the event. Educational signs throughout the garden introduced residents to native species and explained how such plants support local ecosystems. A pop-up version of UFH’s Free Store drew a steady crowd, with several residents leaving mid-festival to grab small, clean, gently used items from their homes after discovering the donation station.
“That was a beautiful, full-circle moment to see,” Limpanapongpan said.
That sense of growth played out across the 10,000-square-foot terrace as children raced back and forth with watering cans, proudly tending to the perennial plants native to Ontario that they had just planted. Parents snapped photos and cheered on kids playing Connect-4 and cornhole.
Sustainability was woven into every corner of the event. Educational signs throughout the garden introduced residents to native species and explained how such plants support local ecosystems. A pop-up version of UFH’s Free Store drew a steady crowd, with several residents leaving mid-festival to grab small, clean, gently used items from their homes after discovering the donation station.
“That was a beautiful, full-circle moment to see,” Limpanapongpan said.
As the evening wrapped up, families lingered in the garden, chatting with neighbours and admiring the greener, more vibrant rooftop.
“At UHF we have always valued sustainability and educating our residents of all ages on its importance,” said UFH Marketing and Communications Officer Nikki Trinnear.
“Transforming the Spring Rooftop Festival into the Gather and Grow Festival was the logical next step.”
