North Garden project awarded $15 000
The Anglican Foundation of Canada has awarded St Clement's Anglican Church a grant of $15 000 towards the 'North Garden Project.'
Construction is planned for this summer followed by a grand opening in September to celebrate with neighbours, members of First Nations, dignitaries, and officials from the District of North Vancouver. We hope the grand opening will also coincide with Bishop John Stephens’ episcopal visit to St Clement's.
Read on to learn more about the vision for our North Garden, which won the hearts of the Foundation's Board members. Thank you, Anglican Foundation of Canada!
"Visit a park in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley neighbourhood and you will find breathtaking views; daring heights; dramatic cliffside scenery; and glacier-fed pools reaching depths of up to 90 feet. It’s common for residents of Lynn Valley and beyond to retreat onto these trails for mountain biking; hiking; relaxation; and spiritual renewal. Beautiful, though they are, these parks are physically inaccessible to a growing number of people taking up residence in North Vancouver. With St Clement’s “North Garden Project,” we propose to build an accessible, outdoor spiritual oasis for people seeking peace, solace, and outdoor education in the heart of North Vancouver.
Our target audience includes residents of Lynn Valley’s three care homes; adults and children with physical disabilities (Lynn Valley is home to the North Shore Disability Resource Centre); anyone from the community wishing to remember a loved one with a dedicated leaf on our tree of life memorial wall; parents and caregivers taking a moment's pause while they wait to pick up their children from the elementary school; educators and students wishing to learn about First Nations art, the local watershed, and some of North Vancouver’s historic architecture; and anyone just needing a bit of peace and quiet (and not wanting to climb a mountain to access it!).
Indigenous carving and artwork is increasingly featured in North Vancouver parks and school grounds. Through the Diocesan Missioner for Indigneous Justice, we plan to consult with members of First Nations to see if there is interest in partnering on this project. We also plan to expand our creekside rewilding initiative that began three years ago with Salal and Cedar, the Diocesan Watershed Discipleship Ministry.
Crushed limestone pathways meet the highest standard of wheelchair accessibility without compromising on beauty. We plan to provide an attractive contrast to the busy concrete sidewalks and paved roads lined with cars and parents dropping off children for school. Imagine following a path lined with fruit trees and raised, accessible planter boxes, leading to a salmon-bearing stream with charming creekside seating. Refill your water bottle at our accessible tap; take refuge from the sun under the arbour with St Clement’s pan abode church in the background."
Drawings by Eizabeth Mathers