| Suncor Energy Foundation Grant Brenda Lorenz, Evergreen Associate C/o Human Resources Sunoco, Sarnia Refinery July 26, 2000 Project Idea: Shoreline Bluff Rehabilitation and Trail Development I write this submission as an individual who has spoken to a number of people to ask for their expertise in the various areas that accompany this proposal. Also, to others for feedback on the desirability of the plan for retrieval of a former public space and to integrate this in a much larger scheme. At its most basic, this project would rehabilitate the eroding shoreline bluff in a couple of areas on the lake frontage of the Suncor Recreation Center. See included photos. According to one estimate, using two trucks and a backhoe per day would be in the order of $1,400.00. If permission can be secured from Suncor for equipment access, then perhaps the appropriate grading as recommended by the St. Clair Regional Conservation Authority could be accomplished in two or three days. (See attachment #1 - series of 8 pages from SCRCA) This would also include removal of several trees at the east limits of your property to rehabilitate this section of eroding bluff. I note that only these areas, as shown in the enclosed photos, in the entire stretch between the Cull Drain and Huronview Park, are currently eroding because of lack of vegetative cover. Other areas have established vegetation on bluffs nearly as steep or have been gently graded to the public money seawall by adjacent property owners to the former Old Lakeshore Road right-of-way. Photos of the entire stretch of Old Lakeshore Road taken shortly after the catastrophic St. Patrick's Day storm of 1973 are available. These will be forwarded when they arrive in mid-August as they have to be converted from slides. These historic photos can supplement proper land surveys that I expect will be necessary for the entire stretch between the Cull Drain and Huronview Park. (See attachment #2 series - "Lambton County Official Plan directives as a companion to Lambton County Regional Trail System Map"; 5 pages [including the cover featuring the Cull Drain Bridge] from "Design Brief" - The Bluewater Trails Master Plan Review prepared by ESG International and received in April, 2000; a draft plan of March 22, 2000 by The Bluewater Trails Committee recognizes the possibility of this stretch along the waterfront being reopened; and a Town of Clearwater Map post-storm of lots 16 to 26 may also be of interest.) As regards the Cull Drain Bridge on Old Lakeshore Road, find enclosures from 1910 relating to its construction. Another enclosure taken from the "History of St. Clair County" (Michigan) describes the unusualness of how the St. Clair River Delta is created. In a June 23, 2000 conversation on site with former (in 1973) Sarnia Township Councilor Lloyd Passingham, we met with Stewart Jamieson, owner of the property adjacent to and immediately east of the Cull Drain. He indicated the road allowance ended at approximately the line of cedars he planted. The second hydro pole in the photo with the support has the support on his property and the upright pole is on the former road's allowance. I would expect Suncor knows well precisely where their north limits to the former road are. There is another property owner in between. There is a distance of approximately 335 paces (close to a metre) or 366.5 yards or 1,100 lineal feet from the bridge to the east limits of Suncor's property. With a trail a minimum of 8 feet wide we now have 8,800 square feet. At $2.00 per square foot for a "high side" price (which covers equipment access through your property, earth moving, proper base and asphalt surface to standard specification, I presume), we now have $17,600. This could possibly include all the bluff rehabilitation over 100 feet as well. This is shown on the more detailed shore map I've drawn and enclosed. It is my understanding that in the order of $100,000. could fix the bridge but that component has to be detailed. I will be submitting an application later for this bridge to have historic designation and so become eligible for possible grants or a specific project fundraising effort. It is also my understanding that the 50 or so metres of seawall west of your property could be properly capped for less than $10,000 with equipment access through your property. It is intended that Old Lakeshore Road west of the Cull Drain be eventually closed to vehicular traffic but remain open as a trail to connect with the existing one east of the northern remnant of Telfer Sideroad. This project should be seen in the context of Comment #12 in the Bluewater Trails Master Plan Review and ESG's response. If Lakeshore Road were reconstructed to a 34 foot width in an urban cross section with curb and gutter from Murphy to Telfer roads, then you would have 5 foot regulation bicycle lanes in each direction. These commuter bicycle lanes could continue without curbs from Telfer to city limits at County Road 26. It's easy to imagine an 8 foot paved trail – probably on the south side of Lakeshore - from Murphy to Telfer, easily within the 20M or 66 foot road allowance. Near Telfer this proposed trail would follow Huron Shores Drive and connect with existing segments and a hoped-for through passage along the shoreline to Huronview Park. This parallel urban trail would be a wonderful loop with the much more leisurely Howard Watson Nature Trail. Area history, geology, shorefront rehabilitation and so many other aspects of life here could be recovered and celebrated by locals and visitors alike with interpretive signs. I dare say many locals would discover an unfamiliar part of the city. Although perhaps you might anticipate some resistance from some residents along the lakefront, I believe that with proper planning and a very strong investment in a world class quality product, everyone would see advantages to the improvements it could bring to this stretch of almost forgotten waterfront. I believe this proposal completely satisfies your project criteria. I believe Suncor can be catalytic in bringing the broader proposal nearer to reality with support for this segment that I've outlined. I think it would make the city a much better place and involve a lot of people along the way. The formal request is for $20,000. That should include a couple of interpretive signs as well as the specifics I've outlined. Appropriate plantings beside the trail are called for as well. So there is complete vegetative cover on the now flat area from seawall to bluff. Some gabions and earth should be moved to reinforce tree roots to the west of your property. You might also consider the seawall repair for $10,000. Even trail construction around the bend on your riverfront property at the refinery if you lack for proposals. $30,000 ought to cover that I would think. Yours truly, George Sunaitis 1247 Lakeshore Road Member: Bluewater Trails Committee Sarnia, N7S 2L1 Lambton County Regional Trails Committee I would ask the other people to whom this proposal (less attachments) is either e-mailed or posted to submit comments to Suncor about its merits or deficiencies. I recognize project ideas must be received by July 31, 2000. I trust comments about ideas received after July 31 will be considered and can contribute to being part of the winnowing process. Cc: Dino Caschera - Owner - Sarnia Paving Stone and Concrete Contractors Ltd. Leo P. McElhone, P. Eng. - President - Ross Steel Fabricators and Contractors Ron Broda - Director - Discovery House Museum Fred Webb - Discovery House Museum Andy Bruziewicz - City Councilor Pat McLean - Sarnia Heritage Committee Paul De Sadeleer - Director - Lambton Kent District School Board Paul Millman - Trustee - Lambton Kent District School Board John Walsh - Councilor - Town of Bosanquet Donna Kelso - Principal - Rosedale School Lloyd Passingham - Former Councilor - Sarnia Township Don Hislop - Interested Resident Art Teasell - Waterfront Protection Assn. John Teasell - Lambton Wildlife Gord Catterson - Lambton Wildlife Lambton County Library - Lambton Room |
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