Sea Camps Plan Emerges

Brewster digs in deeply into next steps at both the bay and the pond locations of the former Sea Camp.

What has been happening with the former Sea Camps properties?

When Brewster's municipal pool opened last year it kicked off the beginning of the integration of the former Sea Camp properties. Town officials and volunteers say two 11-member committees meet multiple times a month, with each committee focusing on one of parcels.  The town held community forums engaging more than 1200 participants, as well as engaging with more than 1500 people through other survey and email outreach. The resulting 6-7 year plan includes articles expected to appear on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting

What is happening on the "bay property"?

The most public portion of the property lies along Cape Cod Bay off Rte 6A. In addition to the already-launched swimming pool, future plans include community gardens, land restoration, passive and active recreation, and a natural and education center. The committee recommends keeping about 25 of the existing buildings and using 7 of these for housing with the remainder repurposed for a variety of community uses.   In addition the proposed plans retain the boathouse, art center, and the historical administration building as well. The committee also expects to hold a place in the land for a future TBD new building for a multi-generational community center. While location for the community center will be set aside, details and decisions about its specifics lie in a future round of planning.

What is happening at the "pond property"?

The second portion of the property lies off Rte 137 and includes woodlands and fresh water pond ecosystems. The proposed plan includes four main elements: conservation and nature programming covers about 56 acres of the property - or about 85% of the plan. Another 10 acres lying along Rte 137 have been flagged for housing and wastewater treatment , with the remaining two uses including a 600 foot public fresh water beach, as well as parking and hiking trails.

What happens next with the former Sea Camps?

The town expects planning work to become articles on the upcoming Town Meeting. If the May Annual Town Meeting approves the planning articles, the next step would be articles addressing financing, leading to  a ballot vote in the fall to approve the first of three rounds of financing. These first three financing requests would begin project implementation, covering the pond plan fully and funding and the first two of the proposed five stages at the bay property. Initial proposed bay funding focuses on site work including addressing the existing buildings and their septic needs.

Who is partnering with the project

The towns says expenses will be  offset in part by two nonprofit partners. Brewster Conservation Trust pledged at least $1 toward acquisition of the pond parcel while the Massachusetts Audubon Society  pledged $1.5M toward the pond parcel and $2M at the bay parcel for a planned nature center.

How can people see the properties?

The town has scheduled a series of guided tours on both properties during April.