Media Packet
Photographs of the Harrigan Lake Trail, the 13 acres of Rockwood Park that has been designated as surplus (AKA 1671 Sandy Point Road) and shapefiles are available here in our media packet and may be used without attribution. Additional material is available on request from [email protected]
"There seems to be a dedicated effort on the part of the city to take pieces of the park and offer them up for sale — it's a case of whittling away at the park," Joan Pearce of Friends of Rockwood Park
Media Coverage & History of 1671 Sandy Point Road
Media Coverage - 2024
In February 2024, Common Council quietly designated 13 acres of Rockwood Park as surplus. Next, it may be rezoned, sold and developed. But Saint John council is facing pushback. As before, we want to send a clear message: Please rescind the motion to surplus 1671 Sandy Point Road and restore public trust by committing to public consultations on decisions related to parkland in Saint John. If you support this message please join our letting writing campaign and send an email to the City!
CBC New Brunswick (May 29, 2024) after Friends of Rockwood Park presents to Saint John's Growth Committee
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/friends-of-rockwood-park-rescind-surplus-land-1.7217476
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/friends-of-rockwood-park-rescind-surplus-land-1.7217476
CBC New Brunswick (March 19, 2024) after Friends of Rockwood Park requested the issue be discussed in Open Council
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/rockwood-park-sandy-point-road-city-of-saint-john-joan-pearce-1.7148582
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/rockwood-park-sandy-point-road-city-of-saint-john-joan-pearce-1.7148582
Information Morning - Saint John with Julia Wright (March 19, 2024)
A segment of Rockwood Park along Sandy Point Road is once again being considered for development. We hear from a member of the group that opposed development plans twice before and then from Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-28-information-morning-saint-john/clip/16050219-rockwood-park-development
A segment of Rockwood Park along Sandy Point Road is once again being considered for development. We hear from a member of the group that opposed development plans twice before and then from Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-28-information-morning-saint-john/clip/16050219-rockwood-park-development
Media Coverage - 2017/2018
In late 2017, when Saint John Common Council considered a proposal to rezone and develop a 12.8 acre portion of Rockwood Park adjacent to Harrigan Lake as medium-density or high-density residential property. The goal was to generate property taxes. Again, massive public resistance (>250 letters and a Change.org petition with 1500 signatures) convinced Common Council terminate the process on January 15th, 2018.
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2017-2018 Public Consultation materials (rezoning)
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Here are the City's answers to some Frequently Asked Questions:
| frequently_asked_questions_-_version_2.pdf |
Media Coverage - 2008
In 2008, the City of Saint John started to rezone parcels of Rockwood Park. These parcels were east of Sandy Point Road between Cherry Brook Zoo and the Rockwood Golf Course. With massive public resistance, Rockwood Park was saved from high-rise and subdivision development in 2011.
History of the parcel of Rockwood Parkland known as #1671 Sandy Point Road and prior public opposition to it’s sale and development
- 1959: A Rockwood Park Plan shows that this property belonged to John O’Leary.
- 1971: The city acquired the property from the estate of John O’Leary during a time when the council was making a concerted effort to grow the footprint of Rockwood Park.
- 2004: Without public consultation trees were cut down, rubble from road infrastructure improvements filled the lot and a storm sewer was added that flowed wastewater from the road into Harrigan Lake.
- 2005: A portion of this property was sold to a neighbouring property owner, apparently to provide a buffer zone.
- 2005: The city advertised for a development proposal, but no acceptable proposals were received.
- 2007: The city advertised for a development proposal, but no acceptable proposals were received.
- 2008: “Harrigan Lake Court” concept with 17 single-family houses was drawn up by the City and an unnamed developer.
- 2009: The city received an application to purchase the land from the City for "Twelve 4-unit townhouse buildings” by Cavanagh Homes. This plan went deeper inside Rockwood Park. It is likely that the new road would connect to the back of “Harrigan Lake Court” in #1671.
- 2010: The Sandy Point Road Planning Study recommended two multi-unit buildings, 4 to 5 stories high for this site.
- 2011: Rockwood Park boundaries were formalized to finally put the question of whether 1671 Sandy Point Road was part of Rockwood Park to rest. This designated all city-owned land along Sandy Point Road, along Foster Thurston Drive along the throughway and around Lily Lake as Rockwood Park. Thus, 1671 Sandy Point Road was officially part of Rockwood Park.
- 2012 Common Council rejected a request from Friends of Rockwood Park to designate Rockwood Park as a cultural landscape under the Province of New Brunswick’s Heritage Act.
- 2017-2018: The city passes a motion to designate 1671 Sandy Point Road surplus and moves to amend the zoning by-law to allow for medium-density residential properties. After public hearings and consideration of significant public opposition the amendment process was stopped.
- 2024: The city passes a motion to designate 1671 Sandy Point Road surplus and proposes to call for expressions of interest to developers of residential properties.x
