On February 10 at a Special meeting, the membership voted unanimously to spend up to $30,000 to restore Dividing and Oak Grove (OGB) beaches.  Following is a log of activities:

Feb 24:  Submitted Standard Grading applications to AA. County for review and approval.
Feb 25:  Confirmed suppliers for a new picnic table at each beach.  Orders will be timed to arrive mid-May to allow time for grass to establish.

Mar 13:  Grading applications approved by the county.
Mar 14:  Lime application at both beaches to increase PH.  OGB in particular has very acidic soil at 5.0PH.
Mar 16:  Aeration at both beaches.  Clean-up of pine needles, leaves and general debris throughout Dividing beach.
Mar 18:  Three trees removed from OGB on the right side of the steps.  All 3 were leaning and in danger of falling on the neighbor’s house/yard.  General clean-up of fallen trees, invasive vines and debris. 
Mar 31:  Spread out 5 yards of Leafgro, peat moss and starter fertilizer at Dividing beach to prep the soil for sod.

Apr 01: Marine contractor work at Dividing beach.  Graded the hill down to the beach, added 40 tons of sand.

Apr 03: Marine contractor work at OGB.  Graded the eroded area near the beach, added 40 tons of sand.
Apr 04: Volunteers installed a new sod lawn at Dividing beach.  Floating dock moved into the water for the season.
Apr 10: County inspector reviewed/approved the completed work at both beaches and closed out the tickets.
Apr 14: Submitted VMPs for both beaches to remove tees/shrubs in the 100′ critical area.
Apr 15: Began placing wood chips along the dirt paths at Cypress beach to stop erosion and cover large exposed roots.  As our landscaper acquires more wood chips they will continue to place them until all paths are covered.
Apr 17: Landscaper added a mixture of Leafgro and topsoil roughly 2-3 inches thick over the entire grass area at OGB.  Seed and straw were added.   The new lawn is growing well and should be rooted and strong by memorial day weekend. Removal of old wooden pier remnants from the water.
April 28:  Vegetation management plans (VMPs) were reviewed and approved by the county for the 100′ critical area at both beaches. Work to begin on or around May 8th. Several declining or leaning trees at Dividing beach will be removed, opening up the front half of the beach to more sun.  At Oak Grove beach we will be clearing out dead branches, and tall heavy vines from the front right corner near the water.  Once cleared, they will add a thick weed barrier and mulch.  The left side of the steps will be raked and mulched from the midpoint to behind the park bench and around the kayak rack.

Next up

May:  Installation of new picnic tables at both beaches.  A volunteer, professional photographer in the community will take high quality photos of the beaches and clubhouse for our website!  If you need professional photos, please consider her!  Website: https://victoriaselman.com

Summer:  If we have remaining budget, and enough volunteers, the goal is to add at least one more kayak rack to Dividing and OGB.

October: The Environmental committee will work on a plan to install native shrubs in the newly mulched areas of both beaches.

December: Remove (2) Tree of Heaven from the front, right corner of the Dividing beach parking lot.  Re-grade the parking lot to direct water into the drain, and loosen the top 6-8 inches for better absorption of water.  Add 2-3 inches of new gravel.

2027:  Review budget and options for a new swim platform at OGB, landscaping the hill at OGB to include steps and vegetation to reduce erosion.  Additional benches or picnic tables will be considered based on 2026 usage.