Crawford Bay & District Hall & Parks Association

11/06/2026

As we enter the final stretch of fundraising for our Hall Restoration Project, we're looking for community members willing to host a fundraising event at the hall to help us reach the finish line. 🧡🧡

Our board would be happy to support organizers in any way we can. While much of our time is currently focused on grant writing and caring for our three facilities, we would love to work alongside community members who are inspired to help bring an event to life.

We're open to all kinds of ideas—live music, community dinners, silent auctions, dances, workshops, performances, or something entirely unique. If you have an idea that could help raise funds for the restoration project, we'd love to hear from you.

Together, we can complete this important project and ensure the hall continues to serve our community for generations to come.

Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss an idea or learn more. 🧡

09/06/2026

The Kootenay Lake Lions Club will once again be host to the Canada Day Celebration at the Crawford Bay Community Park 😍🥳🤩🇨🇦

08/06/2026

Crawford Bay Hall Board News
June 2026

This month's update begins with thank yous, as recent weeks have produced much excitement and activity.

Firstly, $28,000 in donations was deposited in May into our Hall Reno Fund! At this moment the sender of $25,000 wishes to remain anonymous.

Happily, the present remaining members of the Kootenay Lake Agricultural Fair have given permission to share that they have closed out their account at the Credit Union by transferring the last of the money there into the hall’s Reno fund. The Crawford Bay Community Hall was the location for over 100 consecutive Fall Fairs, the first taking place in 1911 (in the original hall which was by the Harrison Church) and the last, we believe, in 2015 in the present 88 year old hall.

With the arrival of two other local donations we are now $177,000 away from having our share of the required funds to begin the $2.17 million Hall Restoration Project which has been in the works for six years.

If you would like to help us, please send donations to [email protected] or mail a cheque to Hall Reno Fund, Box 71, Crawford Bay V0B1E0.
An income tax receipt will be sent to you and if you so choose, your name will be displayed on our donor wall. Thank you for your consideration.

💰FUN Fundraising FACTS: 💰

167 total donations have been received to date
96 from individuals/families
24 from businesses
47 from Foundations, Grants, Fundraisers
Largest individual donation-$20,000
Largest grant: Clean BC Communities Fund-$1,412,504
Biggest Supporter: Columbia Basin Trust (confidential amount)
Largest Business: Nelson & District Credit Union-$30,000
Total raised here on the Best Shore: $155,000

Secondly, we received approval from the Rec 9 and ReDi grants allowing us to make improvements at the Crawford Bay Community park. We appreciate their financial support.

Finally, we extend a huge thank you to Ben Johnson and the East Shore Internet Society for expanding internet access to the park, at no charge. Shopping at the Sunday Markets is much easier now and much appreciated. 😍😍

James Linn has begun tidying the cedar branches that hang over the buildings in the Park. He has also removed one cedar that was leaning towards the Community Corner building. During the recent windstorm and lengthy power outage a cedar tree came down in the playground narrowly missing the tree house. Thanks Larry K for cleaning up the mess and leaving rounds for anyone who needs kindling.

Our Board of Directors decided unanimously at May’s monthly meeting to remove the two ailing, beetle infested pines which stand on either side of the playground. Because of this infestation, complete removal and burning is the most effective way to dispose of them. Exactly when this will happen has not been finalized.

Leona Keraiff

06/06/2026

There is cedar suitable for kindling ready for community members to take in the playground. 🙂

31/05/2026

Thank you to Larry and Leona Keraiff for bucking up the cedar that came down in the playground during Thursday's storm. 💚

Cedar is available to the community for kindling. Perhaps bring a broom as well, and spend a couple moments tidying up the path area where tree debris remains.

28/05/2026

19/05/2026

The Crawford Bay & District Hall & Parks Association Board of Directors recently held its monthly meeting and unanimously decided to remove the two pine trees beside the playground to protect park users, neighbouring properties, park buildings and amenities, and especially children using the Enchanted Playground.
Once we confirm who will complete the work, the timing, and funding arrangements, we will share an update. Due to the pine beetle infestation, the trees must be debarked before any domestic use. Removing and burning them is considered the best way to help prevent further spread of the infestation.

The cedar trees behind the Community Corner building and storage sheds will also be trimmed. In addition, one cedar trunk leaning toward the Community Corner building will be removed.
We appreciate the community input that helped guide this important and timely decision.

Our intention is to purchase and plant four new shade trees next spring.

10/05/2026

The park was lively today, with the first Sunday Market, the Sunday soccer, and visitors enjoying the East Shore. Wonderful vibes!

09/05/2026

May Hall and Parks News

Because of a frightening experience in July 2025 during the Starbelly Jam Music Festival, when a brief but violent wind storm resulted in a large cedar tree branch torpedoing down and through the metal roof of one of the park sheds, the Crawford Bay & District Hall & Parks Association has begun an investigation into the safety of our Community Park trees. After much deliberation and information from FOUR different Tree Service companies we have lots to digest and will decide soon how best to mitigate risk, upholding our mission statement: “To provide safe & welcoming gathering spaces for community connection and recreation to the residents and visitors of the East Shore of Kootenay Lake”.

From local experienced tree caretakers (Riondel & Creston) to certified Arborists & Danger Tree Assessors (both in Nelson) we have learned much. We are discussing all the information and asking more questions. Please stay tuned as we navigate how best to protect all of our park users, especially our children. Please imagine for one moment that a dangerous tree existed on your property…near your home, garage, neighbour's fence or where your children played. Do you hesitate? For how long?

We truly appreciate that the park trees have significance in the hearts and minds of all of us here on the East shore.
We also want to acknowledge that we are hearing each and every one of you who have taken the time to contact us.

May 10, 2026 is Mother's Day and the first of our new Crawford Bay Sunday Markets. Oodles of enjoyable experiences are yours to be had! The action starts at 10am. We look forward to your visit.

Recently we were alerted to water flooding in the Enchanted Playground. The hand pump water feature has failed and is shut off for now, until it can be repaired or replaced. Huge thanks to Sophie Bellward whose quick action in calling us prevented the main park water pump from failing as well.

Very soon there will be more features in the playground to enhance our families’ experience in our community park.

By the time you read this, we will have had the annual park clean up day. Hopefully, the plethora of pine needles and cones as well as the many rocks that show up in the grass every Spring will have been removed.

Our intention is to hoist new flag poles as well, with new flags arriving soon. By the way, if you pick up your dog's p**p when in the Park, we salute you. If you are the person leaving it bagged and laying around, we might have some other feelings towards you.

We desperately need a part time park maintenance person (over age 19). Please contact [email protected] if you are interested.

Lastly, the new garbage/recycling bin should be operational now. CANS and PLASTIC BOTTLES ONLY, no glass, please. Thank you for considering others when enjoying beautiful Crawford Bay Community Park.

Leona Keraiff

02/05/2026

A few things at the community park could really use a good washing. Let us know if you can help us with that. We have plug-ins, but a powerful washer would really be the ticket to a brand new start for some things that haven't been deeply cleaned in a long time :)

Saturday 10-2, or if you can do it another time, please send a message and we'll show you what we're talking about lol. 🌷