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Everett Crowley Park is a 38-hectare large forested urban park with trails, located within the Champlain Heights area of Vancouver. The park was previously a garbage dump, but has been reforested for recreational means. Currently, it is Vancouver's 5th largest public park. The surrounding neighborhood was the last area to be developed in Vancouver in the 1970's. The park is maintained, developed, and protected by the Everett Crowley Park Committee (ECPC). 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.

History
Prior to being a park, the area was known to be the Kerr Road garbage dump. The Kerr Road garbage dump served as Vancouver's main landfill from 1944 to 1967. The dump was closed in 1966, and the deposited waste was up to 49 metres in places. Following 1967, the area was closed for 20 years until being re-introduced as Everett Crowley Park in 1987. Dedication and opening of the park was promoted through petitioning and lobbying by local residents. Eventually, the garbage dump was reforested local and invasive species, although some efforts were made by the community The park is named after Everett Crowley, who was the owner of Avalon Dairy, Vancouver's last independent dairy. Everett Crowley served on Vancouver's Parks' Board as a Parks Commissioner from 1961 to 1966.

Ecology
Everett Crowley Park is in transition. Since the early 1970's, 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.

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. In addition, salmon were present in a creek that ran through a ravine. After its closure as a landfill, local plants such as cottonwoods and maple trees began moving back into the area. Invasive species, such as blackberry shrubs, have taken residence in the park, and are a very common sight.



Everett Crowley Park Committee
The Everett Crowley Park Committee (ECPC) is responsible for the maintenance, development, and restoration of the park. The committee consists of members local neighbors, dog walkers, ecologists, and bird enthusiasts. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation often works along side 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." The committee has five main goals: park maintenance, recreation, education through appreciation of nature, habitat rehabilitation, and to work within a larger ecological context.

Earth Day
Earth Day Vancouver is hosted as an annual celebration in the city of Vancouver. Earth Day occurs on April 22, and is the "largest environmental event in the world". Citizens are encouraged to use more environmentally friendly means to travel to events, such as walking, biking, or taking public transit. 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. Family fun activities include visiting "Bunkie the Clown" and "Lindsey Long Legs".

Birding With Margo
As of 2007, tours for bird watching and walking through the park are held on the third Sunday of each month at 8:30 AM. However, the activity has been ceased in 2008 since people has only little interest in it and only a few or sometimes even nobody came to the activity during 2007.

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. The Snake Trail, which follows the entrance, is about 2.02 km long. It is quite popular due to the lack of traffic sounds and variety of bird calls. The Vista Way trail eventually leads to an attractive viewpoint for the Fraser river. It eventually leads across other park attractions, such as Kincross Creek, Avalon Pond, and Manfred's Meadow. Manfred's meadow is a large open area, ideal for having a picnic.

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.

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 to ensure that everybody can enjoy the beauty of the resource. 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.

Access
The park can be easily accessed by heading 2 minutes south of 49th Avenue. As well, it can be easily be accessed via transit by taking the 26th bus towards Joyce Station, or the 100 bus towards Marine Dr. Station. The park is a 3 minute walk north of Vancouver's developing River District.

Related

 * Champlain Heights, community the park is in
 * Killarney, Vancouver, the area of Vancouver that includes the park, the park is also mentioned here.