Thank you, guest columnist and Elphinstone resident Michael Unger, for this week’s column about an important and popular neighbourhood in Elphinstone. OBENA (Ocean Beach Esplanade Neighbourhood Association) has been busy since it formed a year ago, and with much going on, this is Part 1 of a two-part series.
es.pla.nade - a long, open, level area, typically beside the sea, along which people may walk for pleasure. source Oxford Languages
If things weren’t busy enough with the influx of new residents to the Sunshine Coast over the past couple of years, creating along with it a building boom, the pandemic further exacerbated the demand on areas where people could escape to safe places to get some much-needed fresh air and mingle with friends safely. One of those places is Ocean Beach Esplanade, or as many still refer to it, Bonniebrook. Already well known to local visitors and tourists alike, Ocean Beach Esplanade is a rare gem. A unique place that is close to Gibsons, where people can walk or ride along the road, stroll the beach, sit on a log and enjoy the spectacular sunsets or go for a swim on the sandbar at low tide. Perhaps even launch a boat or paddleboard in waters that are often calm and tranquil.
The neighbourhood has seen an increase in permanent residents versus seasonal cabin owners who would historically come over only for the holidays and summer months. For the residents of the neighbourhood, last year felt like parts of the esplanade and beach were getting literally pounded into the earth by the onslaught of visitors! The numbers and impacts to the neighbourhood were, in short, unprecedented.
Issues that were always a concern in the past – like beach fires, parties, parking, illegal camping, lack of bylaw enforcement, influx of short-term rentals, signage, foreshore damage, habitat protection, abandoned derelict boats, outdoor lighting, illegal cutting of foreshore trees and vegetation, garbage, and excessive speed on a road that is in many places barely wide enough to let cars pass – became front and centre for the residents. Towards the end of the road and during low tides on the middle of the esplanade, cars are parked into the street, making it impassable for an emergency vehicle should there be an incident or fire.
At an inaugural meeting in September 2020, Elphinstone director Donna McMahon gave a brief history lesson from an SCRD perspective. The residents also heard historical insights into the uniqueness of the area from long-time local resident Kerry Mahlman.
OBENA began immediately to work on projects to improve the neighbourhood for residents and visitors alike and meets on a monthly basis via Zoom. One of the first projects was to create sandwich board signs placed strategically along the Esplanade to prevent speed and traffic-related incidents, after a pedestrian was struck by a car. Hear more about OBENA, its mission and activities in the next column. If interested, email them at [email protected].
The Elphinstone Community Association (ECA) announces its community summer social on Saturday, Aug. 14, 3:30-7:30 p.m. at Chaster House. Everyone invited! It’s picnic-style, so bring your own food, plates and chairs. Come meet your neighbours and socialize. Since parking is limited, the ECA is arranging a shuttle from Frank West Hall where there is ample parking to Chaster House. Call 604-741-1878 if you’d like to take advantage of this. Got Elphinstone news? Send it to: [email protected].
