Vancouver Heritage Foundation Weekly: Gibby's Field

		Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Gibby's c. 1908 CVA 330-18 Flett Rd (E 18th Ave) Looking East on E. 18th with Dumfries in the background

We're excited to spend the afternoon out in the sun tomorrow~ Friday May 3rd ~ celebrating the history of Gibby's Field at VHF's Places That Matter plaque presentation #54! The fun begins at 2pm at the remaining site which is now three City lots with the official street addresses 1454, 1458, and 1462 East 18th Avenue. This site is part of 19 acres purchased by Irish-born Moses Gibson in 1893 to use as a dairy farm.   Known locally as Gibby’s Field, this small patch of green contains the last remaining vestige of Gibson Creek, which originated above Kensington Park at 37th Avenue and Knight Street. Gibson Creek was part of the China Creek watershed that fed into the eastern basin of False Creek which provided water for the Cedar Cottage brewery (located around Kingsway and Knight), and local Chinese market gardens. Early residents recall a thriving waterway filled with salmon, trout, lamprey and stickleback.  Since 2000, there has been local interest in preserving Gibby's Field as a community green space and even before 2000, local residents have been meeting, using and enjoying this unique neighbourhood gathering spot.

Find us at 2pm, at 1458 East 18th Avenue, between Knight and Dumfries (look for the crowd).  Special guests include long time residents of the area who still remember the original creek and orchards, plus the great-grandson of Moses Gibson himself!

After the plaque presentation, join us at 3pm for the reception at Tyee Elementary School 3525 Dumfries St, a short walk away. Their annual plant sale, rummage sale, and food fair is taking place from 3-8pm. False Creek Watershed Society will be on hand with displays and VHF will be there too until 4pm. Come have a chat!

Last but not least, at 4pm, take a 60-75 min  free Jane's Walk  "Where Gibson Creek met Davey Creek", led by Dan Fass, nominator of the site and member of the Gibby's Field subcommittee.  Dan will head out from the white tent set up by the displays at Tyee Elementary (look for the signs), and end back at the school. For more information about Gibby's Field,  Gibson Creek and Davey Creek, or to download a pdf of a 32-page historical walking tour of Gibson Creek, click here.

Tyee Elementary Annual Plant Sale School Fundraiser!