Everett Crowley Park
| Everett Crowley Park | |
|---|---|
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| Location |
 Map showing the location of Everett Crowley Park in Vancouver |
| Nearest city | Vancouver, BC |
| Coordinates | 49°12′39″N 123°02′10″W / 49.21083°N 123.03611°WCoordinates: 49°12′39″N 123°02′10″W / 49.21083°N 123.03611°W |
| Area | 100 acres |
| Designation | Municipal Park |
| Website | http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ecpc/ |
Everett Crowley Park is a 38-hectare large forested park with trails, located within the Champlain Heights area of Vancouver.[1] The park was previously a garbage dump, but has been reforested for recreational means. Currently, it is Vancouver's 5th largest public park.[2] The surrounding neighborhood was the last area to be developed in Vancouver in the 1970s.[3] The park is maintained, developed, and protected by the Everett Crowley Park Committee (ECPC).[4] Everett Crowley Park is also a dog off-leash area. Everett Crowley Park is situated north of the Fraser River. It is a 3-minute walk north of Vancouver's developing River District, on the edge of the Fraser River.[5]
History
Prior to being a park, the area was known to be the Kerr Road garbage dump.[2] The Kerr Road garbage dump served as Vancouver's main landfill from 1944 to 1967.[4] The dump was closed in 1966, and the deposited waste was up to 49 metres in places.[4] Following 1967, the area was closed for 20 years until being re-introduced as Everett Crowley Park in 1987.[2] Dedication and opening of the park was promoted through petitioning and lobbying by local residents.[4] Eventually, the garbage dump was reforested local and invasive species, although some efforts were made by the community[4] The park is named after Everett Crowley, who was the owner of Avalon Dairy, Vancouver's last independent dairy.[2] Everett Crowley served on Vancouver's Parks' Board as the Parks Commissioner from 1961 to 1966.[2]
Everett Crowley
Everett Crowley was born on June 3, 1909.[6] He was the first owner of Avalon Dairy, Vancouver's last independent dairy.[2] During 1961 to 1966, he served as the Parks Commissioner.[2] Everett Crowley lived until the age of 75.[6]
Ecology
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Everett Crowley Park is in transition. Since the early 1970s, native and invasive plants and animals have been slowly recolonizing the park, transforming it into a young forest of hardy deciduous trees, wildflowers, and opportunistic blackberry. The area is recovering, and the result is a botanically diverse landscape frequented by birds and other wildlife, who find refuge in this urban wilderness.[7]
Before to usage as a garbage dump in 1944, the area was a heavy dense coniferous forest. Trees native to this area were mostly hemlock and cedar trees.[4] In addition, salmon were present in a creek that ran through a ravine.[4] After its closure as a landfill, local plants such as cottonwoods and maple trees began moving back into the area.[4] Invasive species, such as blackberry shrubs, have taken residence in the park, and are a very common sight.[4]
According to a bird expert, over 200 different species of birds have been spotted in the park.[4] These include Stellars' Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, and the American Robin. The park is also a landing spot for migrant songbirds.[1]
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A black-capped chickadee, one of the species that can be observed in the park.
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A Steller's Jay, notable with its distinct "shack-shack-shack" call.
Everett Crowley Park Committee
The Everett Crowley Park Committee (ECPC) is responsible for the maintenance, development, and restoration of the park.[4] The committee consists of members local neighbors, dog walkers, ecologists, and bird enthusiasts. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation often works alongside the committee regarding political and management issues. The Board of Parks and Recreation eventually voted "That this Park Board re-commit itself to the maintenance and preservation of the naturalness of Everett Crowley Park and any steps to enhance its naturalness."[4] The committee has five main goals: park maintenance, recreation, education through appreciation of nature, habitat rehabilitation, and to work within a larger ecological context.[4]
Events
Earth Day
Earth Day Vancouver is hosted as an annual celebration in the city of Vancouver.[4] Earth Day occurs on April 22, and is the "largest environmental event in the world".[8] Citizens are encouraged to use more environmentally friendly means to travel to events, such as walking, biking, or taking public transit.[8] Everett Crowley Park is the site of the city's longest annual Earth Day celebration. Activities include tree planting, and is supported by local businesses.[8] Family fun activities include visiting "Bunkie the Clown" and "Lindsey Long Legs".[5]
Birding With Margo
Tours for bird watching and walking through the park are held on the third Sunday of each month at 8:30 AM.[4]
Attractions
Trails
Everett Crowley is extremely popular for local dog owners who wish to have their dogs off leash.
There are several trails in the park, with the majority of trails tending to circle the perimeter of the park. There are also smaller trails that are unnamed that may be more favorable for people who wish for more of an adventure, or for those who want to explore the forest.
Notable Trails & Areas
Snake Trail: follows the entrance, is about 2.02 km long.[9]
Vista Way Trail: leads to viewpoint on the North Edge of the Fraser River.[9]
Kincross Creek: formerly used to have salmon running through it.[9]
Manfred's Meadow: a large open area, suitable for picnics.[9]
Mount Everett: point with the highest elevation in the park.
Blue Orchard Mason Bee
A flower box and a bee condo have been made to assist the Blue Orchard Mason Bee in Manfred's Meadow.[9]
Challenges
Being inclusive
Visitors often jog, cycle, or power walk in the park with their dogs as companions, but there are also visitors who doesn't want to interact with dogs. To avoid conflict, the Vancouver park board have recommended to promote the awareness of responsible dog-handling and support initiatives such the as Canine Good Neighbor program, which is a 12-step test for dogs and the dogs will be accepted as a member of Canine Good Neighbor program upon completion of the test,[10] to ensure that everybody can enjoy the beauty of the resource.[4] Interestingly, dog bowls are often left on the side of the trails, filled with water.
Vandalism and garbage
Vandalism such as spray painting, destruction of signs, and setting of fires have been problems with little solutions.[4]
Access
Walking
The park can be easily accessed by heading 2 minutes south of 49th Avenue. It is directly east of the Fraser View Golf Course. From the River District, Everret Crowley Park is a 2 minute walk northbound and will be on the right hand side.
Transit
The park can be easily be accessed via transit by taking the 26th bus towards Joyce Station at the Rosemont Dr. stop, or the 100 bus towards Marine Dr. Station at the Kerr St stop.[1]
Parking
There is a small parking lot that holds about 15 cars located by the entrance of the park. Parking is also available on the east side of Kerr St.
See also
- Champlain Heights, community the park is in
- Killarney, Vancouver, area of Vancouver that includes the park, the park is also mentioned here
References
- 1 2 3 "BC Nature Guide". www.bcnatureguide.ca. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Vancouver Park Board - Everett Crowley Park". cfapp.vancouver.ca. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "The History of Metropolitan Vancouver - 1978 Chronology". www.vancouverhistory.ca. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "ECPC - Everett Crowley Park - recreation, nature appreciation, and wildlife habitat". www.vcn.bc.ca. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- 1 2 "Earth Day at Everett Crowley Park - River District - Vancouver". River District - Vancouver. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- 1 2 "A Year in Five Minutes: Vancouver 1984 - Spacing Vancouver". Spacing Vancouver. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
- ↑ "WalkBC" (PDF). wwww.walkbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
- 1 2 3 Vancouver, City of (2015-07-22). "Earth Day celebrations in Vancouver parks". vancouver.ca. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Walk around Everett Crowley Park Vancouver, BC". www.greatervancouverhotels.com. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ↑ "Canadian Kennel Club". www.ckc.ca/en. Retrieved 2016-04-07.