Lawrencetown Beach & Rainbow Haven Beach Public Engagement Session Wednesday, September 27 th, 2017 6:00pm 8:00pm Cole Harbour Place 51 Forest Hills Pkwy, Dartmouth
Agenda Welcome & Introductions Overview of the Provincial Parks System Overview of the Management Planning Process Lawrencetown & Rainbow Haven Beach: Background Information Breakout interactive sessions Park values and ideas for improvement Next steps Q&A
Nova Scotia Provincial Parks 206 Provincial Parks across Nova Scotia
Why a Management Statement? Sets the vision and provides guidance Ensures each park is managed consistently & is in line with the Provincial Parks Act. Parks and Protected Areas Plan (2013) directs DNR to: complete Management Plans for all Core Provincial Parks by 2025 complete management plans prior to major capital projects Core facilities are in need of replacement / redevelopment
Park Management Planning Public and stakeholder engagement is an important component of the planning process! These are two types of Management Direction: Management plan - provides a policy and resource management framework that addresses substantial and complex issues, substantial capital infrastructure and/or resource management projects. Management statement - provides a policy and resource management framework that addresses a limited number of non-complex issues, limited capital infrastructure and/or resource management projects. The planning process for Lawrencetown & Rainbow Haven will result in a Management Statement. Note that the scope is just on these two beaches, not the whole Cole Harbour Lawrencetown Coastal Heritage Park System. An Operational Plan will be completed before the Management Direction is finalized.
Management Planning Cycle Public & stakeholder engagement Public & stakeholder engagement
Item Description Engagement Dates Scoping Rationale Planning area Schedule Engagement Strategy Planning Timeline Aug 2017 Background Information Develop Preliminary Management Statement Final Management Plan Approved Management Plan Collect background information on: o Natural values o Cultural values o Recreation values o Threats Preliminary Management Statement Preferred policies, approaches and development concept Final Management Statement o Incorporating public feedback o Submit to Minister for approval along with Operational Plan Public Engagement session o Collect data on values and vision Internet-based opportunity to submit comments Public opportunity to review preliminary management plan Internet-based opportunity to submit comments Ministerial Approval Public Notice of approved Management Statement Sept 2017 Nov. 2017 Dec. 2017 TBD
Lawrencetown & Rainbow: History 1975 Designated as a regional park through Dept of Municipal Affairs 1976 Lawrencetown Beach was Protected under the Beaches Act (Conrad s and Lawrencetown Protected Beach) 1980s - acquired 800+ acres of land (total cost of $1.5 million) 1983 - Cole Harbour-Lawrencetown Coastal Heritage Park System proposed and responsibility transferred to the Dept of Lands and Forests 1984 Public Open House & Site Plans created - 3 year phased process, resulted in main facility, boardwalks, beach access, parking and services 1987 Designated under the Provincial Parks Act - officially opening of Lawrencetown Beach and Rainbow Haven 1998 Redesignated as Cole Harbour Lawrencetown Coastal Heritage Provincial Park System
Lawrencetown & Rainbow: Recent History 2003 Hurricane Juan Repairs to boardwalk at both Rainbow & Lawrencetown 2016 Lawrencetown Flush toilets and showers closed due to damaged water line Assessment and design of water supply and system NSE approval and TIR permit for new water line Wooden boardwalk at parking lot removed & replaced with gravel pathway Rainbow soil test pits to assess for drainage Assessment of existing water supply and system Assessment of parking and access road 2017 - Lawrencetown: New water supply established Water lines have been installed Need for more upgrades to water infrastructure Parking lot median removed Parking lot graveled and graded New grassed area Traffic speed reduction & surfboard area Repairs to surfers parking lot Structural assessment of building at Rainbow & Lawrencetown
Natural Values Lawrencetown: Protected under the Beaches Act Dune habitat Wildlife Migratory bird habitat 3 critically imperiled species 10 species considered sensitive, at risk or may be at risk Rainbow Haven: - Dune habitat - Wildlife - Migratory bird habitat - 1 critically imperiled species
Recreation Values Supervised swimming Beach exploration Picnicking Walking Kite flying Trail connections Surfing & kitesurfing (Lawrencetown) Other water sports Cultural Heritage Values Elevated archeological potential First Nations Archeological sites Post-contact historic sites
Tourism Values Significant tourism attraction and popular day use parks for both resident and out-of-province visitors Offers hiking, supervised swimming, picnicking and beautiful coastal access (within easy day trip from Halifax) Trail connections: The Great Trail (aka Trans Canada Trail) passes through Lawrencetown (Atlantic View Trail) Rainbow is in close proximity the Great Trail (the Salt Marsh Trail and Shearwater Flyer)
Education / Interpretation Values Regionally significant opportunities for interpretation of coastal processes, ecosystems (saltmarshes, dune systems, etc), endangered species, landscape evolution, and cultural history Scientific research Other Considerations Susceptible to coastal processes (storm events with high tide surge or wind driven waves that cause site erosion Scope includes Lawrencetown Beach and Rainbow Haven Beach
Interactive Sessions Session 1 ~ 20 mins Report highlights back to group ~ 10 mins Session 2 ~ 20 mins Report highlights back to group ~ 10 mins Use maps, flip charts, post-its, or paper to record your comments Focus on the park(s) of interest to you Feel free to ask staff any questions
Interactive Session: Part 1 What do you value most about Lawrencetown and/or Rainbow Haven? What are your favourite things about the park(s)? How do you use the park(s)?
Interactive Session: Part 2 What is your vision for Lawrencetown and/or Rainbow Haven? What are your ideas for future management or improvement?
Next Steps September Compile information collected October - November Draft preliminary management statement Late November Public review of management statement December Finalize management statement Submit final management statement to Minister of Natural Resources 2018 Begin phased approach to implementation
Thank you for your input! For more information, see our website: parks.novascotia.ca Sign up for email updates or stay tuned to our webpage For further information, contact Parks Division at: (902) 662-3030 or parkplanning@novascotia.ca Find us on facebook @NSProvincialParks