The creation of a permanent, solar powered, community hub and tool storage in the heart of Everett Crowley Park is underway! With two exciting milestones to celebrate. 

Major New Funding

Thanks to the hard work of Champlain Heights Community Association’s leadership, the City of Vancouver Social Capital Grant has been awarded to the Community Stewardship Basecamp project. This is a huge step in bringing the tools to the trees and helping more community members connect with each other and the park.

This new funding springs Phase 1 into life. With this funding we will be able to secure a 20-foot shipping container and begin outfitting it with solar power, battery storage, climate-control features, and more. And we are actively seeking more funding to complete the project.

Partnership with Vancouver Community College

We have the support of Vancouver Community College (VCC) Clean Energy Department, with a preliminary understanding and outline of collaboration for the project.

VCC is a renowned local institution dedicated to practical, hands-on career and trade education. This collaboration creates a wonderful opportunity for educational growth and lasting community benefit.

Working under the guidance of an experienced instructor and Red Seal electrician, students will gain real-world experience in clean energy trades while building skills to succeed in their field. 

It’s a great opportunity to build climate-ready infrastructure for the park and future leaders in this important field. 

The Vision Ahead

Phase 1: Bringing the Tools to the Trees - In Progress!

• Secure a used 20-foot shipping container, the future Basecamp

• Outfit it with solar power, batteries, and climate-controlled interior

• Insulate and weatherproof the interior to protect sensitive gear from dampness and rust

• Prepare the park site for the container 

• Build out interior shelving to store equipment safely and ready to use

Phase 2: Creating the Social Heart

• Site preparation for a community micro-plaza, a stewardship gathering place in the heart of the park 

• Collaborate with a local artist to create a mural

• Install a community bulletin board to share upcoming CHCA and ECPC events and nature sightings

• Install a rainwater collection system to help new plants survive their critical first summer

You Can Still Help

While the City’s grant covers many of the essential Phase 1 milestones, we are still actively seeking additional grants to bring the full vision of the Community Stewardship Basecamp to life.

We warmly welcome ongoing community support, and we remain deeply grateful to the dozens of neighbours and supporters who contributed during the last fundraiser that ran from Earth Day to Environment Day!