CRAB Park residents begin temporary relocation, in first phase of Vancouver’s ‘cleanup’ plan

Residents of CRAB Park began to temporarily relocate Monday, as part of the City of Vancouver’s plan to “cleanup” the area.

Monday marked phase one of the city’s three-phase plan to clear “non-compliant” structures, debris, garbage, needles, feces, and propane tanks out of CRAB Park.

Working with the park board, the city has deemed the area unsafe, unhygienic, and in need of a deep clean and repairs.

“It’s just really a hassle to have to take all your stuff, move it all, put it all back… If you get a chance to put it back,” said CRAB Park resident Shawn Dunbar.

Kaylee, a volunteer for Stop the Sweeps, says she believes the project is another step in the direction that the city has been building towards.

“People don’t like visible poverty, and once the city closes this encampment, which is their intention, I believe that they will stop caring about these residents,” Kaylee said.

“They don’t really care about them if they can’t see them.”

Part of phase one of the city’s project includes giving residents a seven day notice that clean up will begin on March 25.

Park rangers discussing the plan with the unhoused – and beginning the relocation to a temporary sheltering area nearby.

“I do agree, there’s a lot of mess here. A lot of these people, especially the ones that have been kicked out, were hoarders,” said resident Chase Rolles. “A lot of us suffer from somewhat of a hoarding problem because we don’t have any of our stuff.”

Those who live in the park have expressed concern over their belongings going missing or getting destroyed in the process.

Ludvik Skalicky, an outreach Worker for Aboriginal Front Door Society, says her organization is trying to help residents any way they can.

“We’re here basically to inform anybody that’s homeless, that lives in the tent city, that we have storage bins where they can keep their belongings safe and secure,” Skalicky said.

The city says the relocation will include wraparound services, as well as discussions about housing options.

Some residents say while they have no issue with the cleanup, they’re skeptic about whether they’ll be able to return to the park once the project is complete.

“There’s always the unexpected. Like are they going to do what they say? Or are they not going to do what they want to do? So yeah, it’s a bit disconcerting,” Dunbar said.

Once cleaning begins, bulldozers and other machinery are expected to be in the park throughout phase 2.

The final phase is set to begin on Apr. 1, when residents should be able to return to the area.