A break-in occurred at the Mamquam Edible Schoolyard, which is located behind Mamquam Elementary School.
On Dec. 12, Constance Wylie of Squamish Climate Action Network, or CAN, told The Chief that she was informed by the school secretary that the greenhouse had been damaged.
"Our greenhouse manager, Marie-Eve, went to the greenhouse today to fix it, and found a significant amount of damage," wrote Wylie in an email.
The previous night, a large hole was ripped into one side of the greenhouse, she said.
Squamish RCMP described the incident as a "report of damage."
Sgt. Sascha Banks said officers received the report on Dec. 12. The damage was thought to be recent, but it's not clear exactly when it occurred, she said.
Police didn't provide any other details to The Chief.
Wylie said at least one person entered through the hole, and they left items smashed and broken on the ground.
She said the plastic film serving as the greenhouse cover was pierced at least half a dozen times.
A bamboo pole pierced through and was left hanging from the ceiling, she added.
Furthermore, one of the doors was tampered with.
Wylie said this is not the first time vandals have done damage to the greenhouse.
"On multiple occasions, our gardeners have arrived at the school to find rips in the plastic," she wrote. "In the outdoor beds sometimes plants are cut or uprooted and left on the ground to die. Hate speech and swear words have been scratched onto our main chalkboard which we use for lessons and sharing messages to the community."
It's a challenge to deal with, Wylie noted.
"Vandalism is a common challenge that community gardens everywhere face," she continued.
"It is always painful to experience, but even more so when the garden is one catering to elementary school students. Usually, the space is bursting with abundance, creativity, beauty and kindness. It's where children play, plant seeds, eat tomatoes fresh off the vine, and build relationships to our natural world."
Those who wish to donate to the Edible Schoolyard can do so here.
Anyone with information on the break-in can contact Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or go to website www.solvecrime.ca.
