Sandy Hook Community Association

Sandy Hook Community Association Annual General Meeting 2023

This is a notification for our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, November 21 at 6:00pm @ the Sechelt Arts Center, 5714 Medusa Street, Sechelt

Please click here for the agenda

SHELTER FOR SANDY HOOK

Background:

At the 2020 SHCA Annual General Meeting (AGM), plans for a sheltered structure were presented to the SHCA membership and a committee was formed to explore options for presentation at the 2021 AGM. During the 2021 AGM, a motion was passed that approved moving forward with plans for a sheltered structure in Tot Park.

The shelter concept was to provide protection from rain/sun and provide a space for picnics as well as a focal point for community gatherings and events. Tot Park, at the corner of Deerhorn and Skookumchuk Roads, was the initial choice due to its central location, accessibility and exposure to sun.

With this direction, the SHCA, along with some community volunteers, applied for funding to the Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCC) Legacy Fund. This application was denied because the project was not deemed to be shovel ready. The project was supported by mayor and council in 2022, and funds to render the project “shovel ready” were applied for to the district in the fall of 2022 for the 2023 budget submission.

In August, the Sandy Hook Community Association (SHCA) volunteer executive initiated a survey to further assess community appetite to build a shelter structure in a park area of Sandy Hook.

Survey Distribution:

A survey and information sheet were created to ensure that a wider representation of the community had an

opportunity to provide input. They were distributed through the following communication channels:

• Sent out to the SHCA email list (100+ contacts);
• Posted on the SHCA website;
• Posted on the Everything Sandy Hook Facebook page (400+ members);
• Hardcopies posted on each community board.

The survey remained open for responses from August 13th to September 15th. A reminder email was also sent out prior to the deadline. In addition, two board members went to multiple homes in the Tot Park vicinity to discuss the project.

Survey Results:

As a result of these efforts, there were 74 responses, representing 62 unique addresses, to the survey.

The majority of the responses were in favour of a shelter. Concerns expressed include: making the shelter smaller in scale, a closed shelter structure may invite unwanted behaviour/activities, possible relocation of the shelter within Tot Park, loss of playground hill feature. There were also comments regarding a need to upgrade the playground equipment.

Please click here to see the full survey results.

Next Steps:

The shelter concept, survey results and next steps will be discussed at the upcoming SHCA AGM, on Tuesday, Nov 21st, 6 pm at the Sechelt Arts Center (next to the Sechelt Seniors Centre at 5714 Medusa Street).

While the results of the survey show there is a desire for a sheltered structure of some sort within Sandy Hook, the concerns raised suggest a revision to the current plan is needed. The District of Sechelt has allocated funds for this project that have some flexibility, and they have agreed to move them forward to 2024. As such, the SHCA would like to use the funding to make modifications to the current plan that address the concerns raised in the survey.

The following motion will be proposed and voted on at the upcoming AGM.

MOTION: Use the existing funding allocated by the District of Sechelt to conduct a feasibility study of improvements to Tot Park that include improving the drainage of the park, improving the playground, a geotechnical study to determine drainage issues to be fixed, and if a different location within the park is appropriate for a smaller open air structure.

The results of this feasibility study will be used for the development of an overall park strategy to address concerns raised. This would include a site plan showing options for structure location, revised design (smaller, open air structure with no walls – similar but smaller than the open air structures at Jane Bowers Park in Sechelt or the Horseshoe Bay Park open air picnic shelter- see image below. The strategy would also include drainage correction proposals and options for future playground equipment upgrades. This revised plan will be taken to the 2024 AGM for voting by the membership. If there is consensus at that time, then working drawings would be prepared and Legacy Funding applied for.

What we need from you at this time:

• If you are a member of the SHCA, you must be a member on good standing to participate in the AGM. That means your 2023 membership dues must be paid.
• If you are not currently a member of the SHCA, please join and attend the upcoming AGM, on November 21st, to ensure you receive communications. To join, please visit https://sandyhookca.org/joining-us/

Read the Fall Newsletter

In July of 2023, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) received a Development Variance Permit application requesting reduced setback from the natural boundary of the ocean for a number of existing structures located on the subject property near Cawley Point at Storm Bay.

Telus has more extensive use plans for this property. In September of 2020 Telus submitted an application to the Sunshine Coast Regional District to change the zoning from Rural 2 to a comprehensive development.

In response to inquiries from the community, the SHCA has prepared the following information summary for concerned residents.

Cawley Point (Telus Wilderness Point) Information

Project Description: The open-air picnic shelter (52s.m.) will be in Tot Park. It provides for rain protection for its users.  It is sited so that its height is minimal (dug into the bank) and is relatively unobtrusive. It will create a central focus for our unique community.  There is no electrical or plumbing infrastructure proposed.  The concept design includes heavy timber construction celebrating our west coast heritage and locally available materials and labour skills. It provides natural light and fresh air to the users.

Many users will be easily accommodated by the welcoming shelter.  The current concept design allows for easy supervision and observation by passers-by, thusly avoiding negative behaviors or unwelcome activities, thereby satisfying CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) concerns.

This construction also presents the possibility to investigate and remediate the swampy area at the base of the hill just north of the playground. We are planning to include this investigation into the geotechnical investigation of the site that is required for the foundation.  The DoS is enthusiastic about this project and has already initiated a archeological study to ensure that no First Nations important sites are located at this location.

The building conforms to current zoning, and the 2018 Parks Master Plan.

Project Uses: We envision the open air shelter to be used:

• for shelter for parents minding children playing in the park,
• pedestrians taking a break from their strolls or dog walking
• allow small gatherings of neighbours
• a sheltered place for families and friends to have picnics
• a location to have neighbourhood meetings year round, like the Sandy Hook Community Association, and other community meetings
• Special events, public discussions, and possibly an emergency gathering place.

Background:

• 2019-2021 – A sheltered structure in Sandy Hook has been discussed for several years.
• October 2021 – The Tot Park picnic structure was approved at the 2021 SHCA AGM
• June 2022 – District of Sechelt Council supports the Sandy Hook Community Association’s open‐air picnic shelter project at Tot Park.  
• Summer 2022 – the SHCA applied to the Sunshine Coast Community Forest Legacy Fund (SCCFLF) for financing to construct the Skookum Hut.  Because the project was not “shovel ready” the funding was not granted. Project nicknamed the Skookum Hut.
• November 2023 – Budget request submitted to DoS by SHCA for costs to get project shovel ready.
• 2023 – Capital project funding for $30,000 granted to develop the plan so it is “shovel ready”.  Evidence of community support needed to move the project forward.
• 2023 – August – SHCA develops a survey and posters for community to demonstrate support and interest.

Please complete the following survey by September 15th, 2023.

Click here to access the survey

Community Information Poster

A special thanks to Diana Mumford and Cathy Macartney for putting together our summer newsletter!

DO YOU NEED SOME HELP DISCARDING THE BROOM YOU HAVE CUT?
Due to the tenacious nature of Scotch Broom, it cannot be discarded with other green waste, as the seeds will continue to spread the problem. A small group of Sandy Hook residents are collecting plants that have been cut before seeding starts, and will be taking them to the Halfmoon Bay Broombusters group who have offered to burn the pile in fall. Please contact sandyhookcommunityassociation@gmail.com to request some help!

SCOTCH BROOM
Scotch broom is an alien invasive plant brought to the Pacific Northwest in
the mid-1800’s. A single plant can produce 18,000 seeds that survive in the
soil for up to 50 years. Remove Scotch Broom before it becomes established.

WHY REMOVE?
Spreads rapidly and densely – crowds out native plants
Forms dense thickets – slows and prevents forest regrowth
Highly flammable – a fire hazard
Toxic to the land and grazing animals
Noxious – pollen makes people sick

REMOVAL
Cut broom in bloom at ground level – as low as you can go
Pull very small plants
Go after new infestations
Stop cutting when the seedpods form (beginning of June)
Be careful not to spread the seeds

More information at https://www.broombusters.org/