This consultation was open from:
December 6, 2019
to January 20, 2020
Decision summary
We approved the Sandbanks Provincial Park Management Plan Amendment on February 4, 2021.
Decision details
The Sandbanks Provincial Park Management Plan has been amended based on feedback we received during public consultation, but overall the amendment remains as proposed.
The Cultural Heritage Evaluation Reports and Heritage Impact Assessments written for both of the buildings have been added to the references section of the management plan.
Wording changes have also been made throughout the plan to make the plan consistent and more up to date.
Effects of consultation
A total of nine (9) comments were received on the proposal. All comments submitted to the ERO were also emailed directly. The concerns expressed are as follows:
- the commitments made in the 1992 management plan to restore the houses have not been met.
- the buildings have been allowed to deteriorate.
- the methods used to evaluate the buildings were not appropriate
- a public private partnership could restore the houses.
All comments were considered, and discussions and site visits took place upon request. Ontario Parks is committed to conserving cultural heritage resources, however, studies have shown that the buildings are a safety risk and need to be taken down. Restoring the buildings is not feasible.
Because of comments received, minor wording changes were made throughout the management plan to more closely match terms used by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
We also removed the requirement to prepare a cultural resources management plan for the park due to comments made by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. There is new guidance in place that reaches the same outcome.
Cultural heritage resources management is based on technical cultural heritage studies and a cultural resources management plan is not required. Ontario Parks commits to commemorating the buildings as guided by the Heritage Impact Assessments.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
3004 County Road 12
Picton,
ON
K0K 2T0
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Kendra Couling
300 Water Street
4th Floor North
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Sandbanks Provincial Park protects many different ecosystems of provincial importance and is a popular recreation destination for many visitors. The park protects important natural areas and also parts of the cultural heritage of Prince Edward County.
Currently the 1993 management plan for Sandbanks Provincial Park commits to preserving buildings within the historical zone of the park. However, due to costs and competing priorities, Gray House and MacDonald House, buildings that date back to the late 1870s, are now in an advanced state of disrepair.
Cultural heritage evaluations of the buildings have indicated that the buildings are no longer candidates for reconstruction. We would like to better ensure park visitor safety by demolishing the buildings in 2020, as funding permits.
We are proposing specific sections of the management plan to be amended to allow the demolition of the two buildings, but continue the original intent of considering other uses (e.g., roofed accommodation) in those locations. We are proposing changes to the following sections:
- 5.2.2 Historical Zone 2 MacDonald Farm
- 6.5 Cultural Resources
- 7.4.3 Bed and Breakfast Accommodations
- 8 Development Policies
- 8.3 Parking Areas
- 8.5.2 MacDonald Farm Day Use Area
- 8.6 Boat Launching and Mooring
- 8.8 Cultural Heritage Interpretation Facilities
- 8.9 Park Administration and Headquarters
- 9.3 Phase 3 (Implementation Policies)
Cultural heritage of these sites will be retained through mitigation efforts such as commemoration in accordance with Heritage Impact Assessment recommendations. A full review of the cultural heritage policies for the park would occur through future management planning.
For more information you can read the full details about the proposed amendment.
We are interested in any comments the public may have. This is the only opportunity for the public to comment on this proposed amendment to the Sandbanks Provincial Park Management Plan. No additional opportunities will be provided.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
3004 County Road 12
Picton,
ON
K0K 2T0
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from December 6, 2019
to January 20, 2020
Connect with us
Contact
Kendra Couling
300 Water Street
4th Floor North
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
4By email
5By mail
0