CampHostJobsPublic parkDay-use park
Memorial West Park in Dunbar had a caretaker house, believed to date from 1932, occupied by long-term live-in caretakers who lived rent-free in return for opening, closing and cleaning washrooms. The source is roughly a decade old and the park board has since been phasing these roles out.
Established workplaceCurrent opening not confirmed
A standing programme or a past notice shows this place uses these workers. No current opening is confirmed.
What we found: Globe and Mail real-estate feature (undated copy; about 2014) names Jack and Linda Darcus as live-in caretakers at Memorial Park West (W 31st Ave and Dunbar) for about 20 years, in a heritage-listed house believed to date from 1932, living free in exchange for washroom duties. Current status not confirmed.
Staffing evidence: A past notice names this place. Checked October 10, 2026.
This is a short guide built from the hiring evidence. Details about the area, nature, weather and daily life will be added as they are researched.
Overview
At a glance
- Location
- Vancouver, Metro Vancouver (Dunbar)
- Property type
- Public park, Day-use park
- Operator or employer
- Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
- Roles
- Resident park caretaker
- Hiring status
- Past notice only; no current opening confirmed
- Visitor camping
- Not confirmed
- Staff accommodation
- Rent-free house in the park in exchange for washroom duties (Globe and Mail)
- Last checked
- 2026-10-10
Work
Working there
Globe and Mail real-estate feature (undated copy; about 2014) names Jack and Linda Darcus as live-in caretakers at Memorial Park West (W 31st Ave and Dunbar) for about 20 years, in a heritage-listed house believed to date from 1932, living free in exchange for washroom duties. Current status not confirmed. 1
Who owns, runs and hires
Roles with evidence
- Resident park caretaker (advertised as "Live-in caretaker"): A past notice names this place 1
Past notices
Live-in park caretaker Closed
- Arrangement
- Accommodation for work
- Employer
- Vancouver Park Board
- Status
- historical
- Season
- Year-round
- Solo or couple
- Couple or team
Kept as a record of past hiring. 1
Living here
Staff accommodation terms by role
| Applies to | Accommodation | Own RV needed | Terms and utilities | Pets and family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live-in park caretaker, Year-round | Rent-free house in the park in exchange for washroom duties (Globe and Mail) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed 1 |
Staff terms come from the employer's own notices. Visitor facilities are not staff benefits.
Sources
Still to confirm
- Pay for the current or next season
- Whether the employer will hire again next season, and when
- Exact location and entrance
- Local nature, water, weather and services: guide not yet written in full
- Detached homes set amid lush Vancouver parkland, rent-free, The Globe and Mail. Checked October 10, 2026.
Guide reviewed October 10, 2026. Written by CampHostJobs from the sources above. Facts change: confirm pay, housing, dates and access with the employer before you travel. See something wrong, or run this place? Send a correction.