A creek once ran from Kingsway to Great Northern Way. It has long since been covered over with asphalt. But that didn't stop a group of ten Mount Pleasant Elementary students from Grades 5 to 7 from exploring the creek in their lessons about watersheds.

Inspired, the students teamed up with storyteller Naomi Steinberg, the Executive Director of the Vancouver Storytelling Society. Steinberg worked with Mount Pleasant students to present a series of school-wide performances telling the story of the creek. Then the students headed downtown for a nerve-wracking (but very successful) presentation to the Vancouver Foundation.

Despite all this activity, the stewards aren't done yet. Steinberg says the children are currently working on the development of a series of community engagement charrettes, guided walking tours and the production of a catalogue of writing, statistics and illustrations that they can use at an upcoming Creek Forum. The forum is planned for November 5 on St. George Street between Broadway and 12 Avenue, and will highlight and contextualize the creek's potential for green design.

The upcoming event is aimed at answering the practical question of how one could design a city block into the headwaters of the St. George Rainway.

To learn more about the Creek Stewards and the Creek Forum, which is taking place November 5, click here.