City of Nanaimo dedicates community garden in honour of Craig Evans
Garden space to recognize decades of leadership in food security, sustainability and community advocacy
NEWS RELEASE - Distributed October 21, 2025 11:00 AM
Summary
The City of Nanaimo is pleased to announce the naming of the food garden at the Five Acre Farm Community Park (located at 933 Park Ave) as the Craig Evans Community Garden, in recognition of Mr. Evan's lifelong dedication to environmental advocacy, local agriculture, food security and community development.
Craig Evans, a Patron of the City Award recipient, has been a central figure in Nanaimo's sustainability movement for more than three decades. His contributions include founding the Nanaimo Recycling Society (1978), Nanaimo Community Gardens (1987), Nanaimo Foodshare Society (1997) and the VIU Farmers Market (2013). He also co-founded the Growing Opportunities Farm Community Co-op and has served on numerous boards and committees focused on environmental protection and equitable food access.
Craig's work has helped shape Nanaimo’s approach to community food systems, ensuring that healthy, locally grown food is available to all residents, regardless of income or circumstance. His leadership has inspired countless individuals and organizations to take action in support of a more sustainable and inclusive future.
The naming of the Craig Evans Community Garden aligns with the 933 Park Ave Concept Plan endorsed by City Council on January 20, 2025. The Plan, a community's collective vision for the site, may include improved public access, soft surface trail and boardwalk with educational signage and seating, a nature play area and gathering spaces. A potential future road is also anticipated along the northern edge of the site to enhance neighbourhood connectivity.
The community garden will be located within a designated urban agricultural area and will serve as a tribute to Mr. Evans' legacy.
Link to Strategic Plan: Honouring the contributions of our citizens is a great way to remember how they have enhanced our community making it a more livable place for everyone.
Key Points
- The City of Nanaimo has named the food production area at 933 Park Ave the Craig Evans Community Garden, recognizing three decades of leadership in food security and environmental advocacy.
- The garden is a key feature of the Park Concept Plan, which envisions a publicly accessible space with trails, gathering areas, nature play zones and urban agriculture plots.
- Craig Evans founded several community organizations in Nanaimo, including the Recycling Society, Community Gardens and Foodshare Society.
Quotes
"As a driving force behind Nanaimo's food security and environmental stewardship for over 30 years, naming this garden in Mr. Evans' honour is a tribute to his unwavering commitment to growing healthier, more connected communities. His legacy will continue to flourish in every seed planted and the food in which the community will enjoy."
Quick Facts
- The Park Concept Plan was endorsed by City Council on January 20, 2025, and reflects the community's vision for inclusive, sustainable land use.
- On Monday 6 October the park located at 933 Park Avenue was formally named Five Acre Farm Community Park. The Craig Evans Community Garden sits within the newly named Five Acre Farm Community Park.
- The name "Five Acre" dates back to the late 1880s when land in what is now Harewood was divided into five acre lots by the Vancouver Mining and Land Company. The land was made available to miners on a lease to own basis, the idea being that miners and their families would become self sufficient and in times when there was less work in the mines they would still have a source of income and food.
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