Date Parameter - Formatting String as Date

[sardine53]

SQL Server 2008 R2

I have a query (simplified) within a SSRS report:

SELECT
CLIENT.NAME
,CLIENT.CLIENT_ID
,ACT_LOG.CREATE_DATE AS [Date]
,CLIENT.ACTIVE_IND
,Convert(Date,ACT_LOG.CREATE_DATE)AS 'DT_CREATE'

FROM
[CSPRDWEBSRV].[ACTIVITY].[dbo].[CLIENT] CLIENT
INNER JOIN
[CSPRDWEBSRV].[ACTIVITY].[dbo].[ACT_LOG] ACT_LOG ON CLIENT.CLIENT_ID = ACT_LOG.CLIENT_ID

WHERE
ACT_LOG.CREATE_DATE BETWEEN (@Start) and (@End)

The report runs fine but I'm getting an error using a 3rd party product relating to converting parameter value from a String to DateTime.

The problem I am having is a result the "CREATE_DATE" being stored in the database as varchar(50) and this unfortunately cannot be changed.

In the database, the field is formatted 'm/d/yyyy' (sample values: 1/1/2017 and 2/28/2017).

Is there a better way to write the query and format the date? I can use a stored procedure rather than a query if it makes a difference.

Any help you could provide would be appreciated.

Jackie