Yarrow Ecovillage babies Zen and Raquel spent some time together recently at a parents' group get-together. The co-housing community has 31 of its 33 units filled and is looking for last two households to be filled.

image credit: JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS

They are almost full at the Yarrow Ecovillage in Chilliwack.

With 31 of 33 units spoken for, only two upper duplex units remain unsold in the co-housing community known as Groundswell.

"The real innovation is the people," said Ecovillage resident Linda Jones. "Everyone is so driven here to live the better life."

Yarrow Ecovillage is on a 22-acre site on Yarrow Central Road. There are 20 acres of certified organic farm land being cultivated, in addition to the 33 units of multi-generational co-housing built on a smaller parcel.

Jones said she enjoys taking part in Parents' Group activities with her four-month old daughter Raquel and her neighbours.

They get together monthly to share food, ideas, recipes, and diapers. The best part is Jones said she can walk to her neighbours' homes, to school and to nearby shops. The most "eco" thing about ecovillage life is being able to walk everywhere, she added.

The homes are strata-type residences and the community has been flourishing in recent years on the western edge of Chilliwack.

Yarrow Ecovillage was actually the first in Canada to see the term "ecovillage" incorporated into a rezoning. Chilliwack council approved the plan to redesignate the zoning at the site from rural residential to the newly established 'ecovillage zone' in 2006.

More:
OUTLOOK: Living the village life at the Yarrow Ecovillage