Stratford Hall's #SaveClarkPark campaign gets a boost from actor Kristen Kreuk

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      A well-known Vancouver actor is assisting students trying to finance a new playground in East Vancouver.

      Kristin Kreuk, who was Superman's teenage love interest in the TV series Smallville, has lent her name to the campaign to improve Clark Park at 1500 East 14th Avenue.

      In recent years, the Eric Hamber grad has been playing Det. Catherine Chandler on Beauty and the Beast.

      The students from kindergarten to Grade 12 at Stratford Hall are halfway toward reaching their $250,000 fundraising goal.

      According to a school news release, they've done it through a variety of means, including operating lemonade and samosa stands and a pop-up bake shop.

      The Vancouver park board has already announced its intention to remove the existing aging playground in what is the city's second-oldest park.

      In April, the board reported that 74 percent of respondents to a public-consultation process favoured installing a new playground at that location.

      "However, lack of funding made it difficult to replace the playground in a timely manner," the school news release states. "When Stratford Hall realized that the playground might not be replaced immediately, they stepped in to offer their help."

      That's what gave birth to the #SaveClarkPark campaign.

      "Understanding service to community is in integral part of our International Baccalaureate program and this is a great opportunity for our students to see how their actions can impact the world around them," Stratford Hall head of school Jason McBride said. "It is equally important that the community knows we are merely acting as a catalyst for funding, and that the entire community will have input on the playground's creation and can expect the same access to it as with any other park."

      As part of the #SaveClarkPark initiative, the school is encouraging the East Van community, including businesses, to contribute.

      If the school achieves its goal by November 1, the 521 students plan to wear orange #SaveClarkPark T-shirts and join Coun. Andrea Reimer on cleaning up the grounds below Commercial-Broadway Station.

      Comments