The Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF) and the Hidden Groves Legacy Committee (HGLC) are working together to save paradise and put up a parking lot.
The two groups want to promote the Hidden Grove forest located in Sandy Hook next to the Sechelt Heritage Forest. Both want to encourage educational tours and recreational use of the area, although the SCCF, which holds the forest licence for the area, has a broader vision.
"We decided to support Hidden Grove and their work with the trail systems because it dovetails into our larger overall educational forest idea," said John Henderson, chair and president of Sechelt Community Projects Inc., which operates the SCCF.
He said the SCCF will create interpretive signage in the forest and extend trails through old growth areas, sensitive wetland areas, areas logged 15 years ago and newly logged areas.
"We think it will make for a very good educational and recreational area," Henderson said.
The Hidden Grove area boasts ancient trees, wetlands, easy hiking trails and views of Sechelt Inlet and Vancouver Island. It also has legal off leash areas for dogs and beautifully groomed trails, thanks to the volunteer efforts of HGLC.
Both groups want to see the area saved for its natural beauty and used for educational purposes, but in order to accommodate bus tours of children or wheelchair access to the site, a proper parking lot must be created.
"We talked to a lot of schools that would like to do outings to Hidden Grove, but there are legal issues for the school buses the way the parking lot stands now," said HGLC chair Bob D'Arcy.
The SCCF and HGLC volunteers have created a temporary parking lot at the site, and it's seeing lots of use from locals and tourists alike.
"We create the brochures for Hidden Grove and they are going like hot cakes at the visitor information centre," D'Arcy added.
The HGLC has plans for fully accessible trails in the area, and in order to open those trails to the mobility challenged, a proper parking lot is imperative.
The SCCF understands the need, and they are currently looking for estimates from local contractors to have a proper parking lot created by the end of the summer.
The SCCF plans to widen the area to accommodate buses and level the parking lot, likely with crusher dust.
For more on HGLC's efforts go to www.hiddengrove.info, and to learn more about the SCCF's plans go to www.sccf.ca.
"We really like the way this relationship has worked with the Hidden Grove volunteers, the board and the community. It is a great example of what we want to do with other community minded groups in the future," Henderson said.
