Skip to content

Students unveil interpretative panels at Yorkson Creek

Elementary students designed educational panels for the Yorkson Creek bridge
13835284_web1_181004-LAT-M-bethany
Students (left to right) Bethany and Ainsley show off an interpretative panel with DPES teacher Victoria Woelders. Miranda Fatur Langley Times

Students from Walnut Grove took their artistic and writing talents to the Township’s McClughan Park this week.

Two years ago, students from Dorothy Peacock Elementary School designed educational panels to adorn the boardwalk bridge that spans the Yorkson Creek ravine.

On Oct 4, the students who are now in Grade 6 and 7 gathered at the ravine to unveil the installed panels to community members, teachers and parents.

In 2016, tudents in Victoria Woelders’ class at DPES were studying the area surrounding McClughan park and brainstormed the idea to add interpretive panels along the bridge that the elementary school students often cross.

The Yorkson Creek bridge connects Dorothy Peacock Elementary to Gordon Greenwood Elementary.

“The students loved learning and researching about the different living things down in our beautiful park. These panels celebrate our Indigenous people groups of Langley, our precious environment and our local community,” said Woelders.

At the unveiling ceremony, Woelders explained panels are a way to honour the natural area.

“Right now, we have the honour to take care of our ravine. We have to speak for these trees. Hopefully with these interpretive panels we will remember the beauty and glory that this nature gives our community, our schools and our children.”

Each student chose a topic relating to the ravine, did research, wrote paragraphs and created artwork. The class also sent out a lengthy email to the Township outlining their plan.

The Township approved the idea and agreed to work in partnership with Woelders’ class and the Kwantlen First Nation to have the panels installed.

Kwantlen First Nation and DPES language teacher, Fern Gabriel, translated words for the panels which are mounted on the bridge.

Gabriel told the students to treat the river gently.

“An elder once told me to treat the river like your grandmother. Treat it like a sweet old lady that you have to bring tea to. Because this river is the bloodline to the people.”