Campers in Vancouver’s Strathcona Park officially ordered out

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Vancouver Park Board has set a deadline for all tents, shelters, and structures to be removed from Strathcona Park.

The board says the greenspace must be cleared by 10 a.m. on April 30.

The eviction notice comes two months after the City issued an order, restricting the campers to the only the east side of the park. On March 30, the order was extended to only allow them on the southeast corner.

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The City of Vancouver says this is a “necessary next step to close the encampment in the park and return the park to community use.”

It’s working with BC Housing to find shelter for the approximately 200 people who currently call the park home.

“The aim is to resume normal park operations, including recreational activities and other community programs, as quickly as possible,” reads a statement from the City.

Once the campers are gone, the staff will put up a fence, assess the condition of the park, and and develop a plan to clean things up.