Welcome! We care about the community we live in!
Southcott Pines is well known for being a beautiful and natural forested community. With its private beach, trails in the woods, and the Old Ausable Channel, there is so much for you to fall in love with. It is made up of many individuals who enjoy living in harmony with Nature. Our Board of Directors and numerous Standing Committees are comprised of volunteers who dedicate their talents and expertise for the sake of their Association.
Southcott Pines and surrounding areas are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet. The Oak Savanna is a globally rare ecosystem that is a transition between prairie grasslands and oak forests. More than 99 per cent of the Oak Savanna in the world has been altered or destroyed. Through management, Pinery Provincial Park has restored its Oak Savanna and protects nearly 50 per cent of the remaining fragments of this type of ecosystem. We work very closely with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources and Dept. of Fisheries to follow their direction for maintaining this rare ecological zone we share with our forest friends. This rare ecosystem holds property value in our area at a peak. Destruction of this ecosystem will not only hurt an ecosystem that needs to be protected, but future property values.
Here in Southcott Pines we “Put nature in your life” because we live in a forest! Property owners in Southcott Pines are fortunate to share a unique natural environment located within a Carolinian forest on sand dunes between Lake Huron and the Old Ausable Channel. As a member of our community we ask that you join us in our efforts to preserve this environment.
We ask that you support our land stewardship actions by considering the following:
- Plant native species of plants to help preserve the Carolinian Forest. Native Plant Guide – Printable Copy
- Help protect our river area (habitat for three endangered species of fish, monitored by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and Oceans & Fisheries Canada)
- Fences negate the forest experience. They restrict the movement and endanger the wildlife that we share this forest with, and are not encouraged.
- If you are planning to build a new structure on your property, or if you need to remove healthy trees, we encourage you to book a complimentary consultation with a volunteer from the Property Management and Environmental Stewardship Committee for advice regarding restrictions and potential need for permits.
- Enjoy our shared beach and help keep it clean and safe.
- “Leave nothing, take only memories” – stay on the designated pathways and dispose of litter in the provided refuse containers
Being a member of Southcott Pines Park Association provides all of us with a unique opportunity to put nature in our lives and enjoy all that it has to offer. Changes to our climate are happening which makes our forest more important than ever. You can help preserve this area for future generations.
- Please get informed and involved
- Be mindful of each other and our environment
- Participate in our community
To ensure a shared enjoyment of the beautiful beaches, natural forest, and walking paths of Southcott Pines, and to create a safe environment, it is important to work together as a community.
SOUTHCOTT PINES:
1. We live in a forest; a spark could be very dangerous for everyone. We strongly encourage no open fires at any time.
2. Our narrow and winding roads are shared by automobiles and pedestrians. To ensure everyone’s safety, please abide the by the 30 km/h speed limit and drive with caution.
3. Respect your neighbours and limit noises during late evening hours and on Sundays.
4. SPPA properties (Sun Beach, parking lots, pathways, parks, and clubhouse) are shared by all. Please keep them clean of garbage and obstructions. Leave nothing, take only memories.
SUN BEACH:
1. Only owners, their guests and renters may use Sun Beach. To access Sun Beach by car, on foot or bike, an SPPA Beach Pass must be presented to Security Staff.
2. Power or sail boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards/boats etc. are not allowed inside the swim buoys at Sun Beach.
3. Fires and BBQs are not permitted on Sun Beach, the parking lot, pathways, or parks.
4. No glass containers on the beach.
5. Fill in your holes dug in the sand before leaving the beach.
6. Place beach garbage in the barrels provided. Do not use these receptacles for household waste.
7. Structures on the beach such as sports nets, tents, gazebos, shelters, etc. are not permitted. Remember that the beach is for everyone. Small shade tents for infants or beach umbrellas are permitted.
8. Possession or consumption of alcohol, vaping and smoking is not permitted, and charges may be laid by the O.P.P. Sun Beach and other Southcott beach access areas are not personal property.
DOGS:
1. When off your property, dogs must be on a leash at all times. There are no areas for open dog runs.
2. Dogs are NOT permitted on Sun Beach at any time for everyone’s safety.
3. Please remember to pick up your pet droppings.
PARKING:
1. Parking at Sun Beach requires a beach pass. To ensure there is enough parking for those with small children or limited mobility, only ONE vehicle per home in the parking lot is permitted.
2. Shoreline Drive is posted for NO PARKING as well as Maplewood Avenue from Shoreline Drive to 50m S/E of Shoreline Rd.
3. Parking on all other streets is permitted per Lambton Shores By-Law, providing all four tires are off the pavement.
GOLF CARTS:
Golf carts and any other motorized unlicensed vehicles are not permitted on the roads of Lambton County (including Southcott Pines) or on the pathways, parking lots, or any other properties of Southcott Pines Park Association.
If you see vandalism or have other concerns, please call the Lambton O.P.P. Non-Emergency line at 1-888-310-1122 or Municipality of Lambton Shores By-law at (519) 243-1400 ext. 8115.
The Association strongly recommends no open fires and the residents to use consideration and caution towards their neighbours, and the forests. A dangerous situation could escalate quickly and risk lives and homes.
Open Air Fires must be monitored at all times by a competent adult who is capable of exercising the required judgment and capable of performing the necessary actions to control and prevent its unwanted spread. Must be less than 1 metre (3ft) in diameter, and contained in an appliance that is for outdoor use and designed or engineered to have a fire within a contained area and is totally enclosed by various means of screening and/or other methods.
Fires are not permitted when a Fire Ban is in place, signs will be posted at both Southcott Gates.
The fire must not create excess smoke, smell, airborne sparks or embers to be or could become or cause public nuisances by creating negative health effects on neighbouring residents, increasing fire exposure hazards, infringing on the enjoyment of the use of neighbouring properties.
Municipality of Lambton Shores By-Law 60 of 2009
4.1 A permit will not be required for:
- a fire in a safe cleared area, provided the fire is less than 1 metre in diameter, is during daylight hours, is attended at all times by a Competent Adult , and the burning complies with the general provisions of this by-law.
- An outdoor fire container, or a Burning Appliance as long as the installation and location of the Burning Appliance meets the manufacturer’s specifications;
- a Pit or contained area used for a “Social Campfire” (less than .5m (1.5ft) in diameter and height and used in conjunction with a social gathering) between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.;
5.2 No person shall set, permit to be set, maintain, or permit to be maintained, any Open Air Burning, either with a permit, or of a size that does not require a permit, unless he or she complies with the following provisions. He/She shall:
- only burn during daylight hours;
- have legal title to the property at which the Open Air Burn is to occur, or the person, or Permit Holder, as the case may be, has obtained the prior consent of the person having legal title to the property;
- only burn commercially produced charcoal, briquettes, or clean, dry, seasoned wood, or branches and leaves from the property where the burn will take place;
- not burn Noxious Materials;
- have an effective extinguishing agent of sufficient size and with the capability of extinguishing the Open Air Burning immediately available for use;
- attend, control and supervise the Open Air Burning at all times;
- completely extinguish the Open Air Burning before the site is vacated;
- ensure the Wind Speed does not exceed 15 km per hour during the Open Air Burning;
- not burn if it is rainy or foggy;
- not burn if a Smog Alert has been declared;
- protect adjacent properties from the potential spread of fire;
- ensure the Open Air Burning does not create a Nuisance
5.3.1 No person shall permit a fire to be located within 4 metres (80ft) of any building, structure, overhead wire or any flammable vegetation or material.
5.4 No person shall locate a fire less than 1 metre (3ft) from Municipal property, including roads and sidewalks
5.7 No person shall set any fire in the Open Air except where permitted and only in the presence of a Competent Adult. The Competent Adult shall not leave the burning operation until such time as the fire has been completely extinguished and there is no threat or re-ignition or spreading of the fire.
5.8 Every person that starts a fire in the Open Air shall ensure that there are adequate tools and/or water on hand to contain or extinguish the fire.
We ask that all members, visitors, and renters in Southcott Pines, be considerate of their neighbours.
Municipality of Lambton Shores Noise By-Law:
The Municipality of Lambton Shores enacted a consolidated Noise By-Law in 2017- Noise By-Law 30 of 2002 which applies to Southcott Pines Park Association (SPPA) residents.
Of interest, the following commonly requested information is condensed below. Please refer to the above link for the complete by-law.
Commonly requested information:
- Excessive residential noise is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 pm and 8:00 am
- Power equipment noise is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 pm and 7:00 am
- Construction Noise is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 pm and 7:00 am
Lambton OPP Non-Emergency line: 1-888-310-1122
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide 24-hour service to Lambton Shores residents through their Lambton Detachment. Please contact the OPP directly for issues related to: after hours noise-related neighbour or domestic dispute complaints, loitering, trespassing, possible drug activity, vandalism, or other criminal activity.
If it is an immediate emergency, call 9-1-1.
Need to Report a By-Law Infraction?
Follow the steps below to submit a Customer Service Request (CSR) through the municipality:
- Report the problem or concern by submitting a CSR (by letter, email, or online)
- Once a complaint has been filed, you will receive a notification acknowledging receipt of your CSR, along with a case number assigned to your request
- Once they have investigated and closed/completed your request, you will receive a notification*
*No follow up, involvement, information or correspondence regarding the complaint shall be provided to the complainant as the process is protected by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
By-Law Enforcement can be contacted by phone at 519-243-1400 ext. 8115
Please Note: The lanes and Sun Beach are for the use of ALL MEMBERS of the Southcott Pines Park Association. Certain areas of the shoreline are not part of Southcott Pines Park Association deeds, and could be deeded to the homeowner, to the water’s edge.
BE SURE YOU ARE NOT TRESPASSING WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SANDY SPOT TO ENJOY THE LAKE. The safest way to know that you are not trespassing onto private property is to use the association’s Sun Beach, unless you have direct permission from a homeowner to use their beach.
The “Blanket & Bottom Shade” test project on the OAC will begin Tuesday April 29th, 2025.
Starting the last week of April 2025, University of Toronto’s Jennifer Powell, will begin testing whether burlap benthic mats would be effective to control the Eurasian Watermilfoil infestation in the Old Ausable Channel (OAC). Benthic mats have been used effectively in various places to control aquatic weeds as they shade out the plants and eventually kill their root systems, preventing the plants from growing back. The benefit to using a burlap mat for this purpose is that it is biodegradable and will decompose naturally over time and will not need to be removed.
The mats will be trialed at 4 sites in the northern part of the channel (Fig. 1). At each site, two, 12 ft (3.7 m) wide mats will be installed across the width of the channel and marked with small orange floats. These mats will be sunk to lay flush with the bottom of the channel, covering any vegetation present. To test whether native vegetation will start to regenerate on its own after the removal of the invasive milfoil one mat will be left bare. The other mat will be planted with native aquatic vegetation collected from the OAC in Pinery Provincial Park. This will be done to see if giving a boost to native species regeneration will help slow the reinvasion of the invasive milfoil. A third site adjacent to the mats will be used for comparison so we can evaluate how effective the mats are at controlling invasive milfoil growth.
The amount and type of vegetation in each treatment and control area, the condition of the mats, and general water quality will be monitored at various intervals up to a year after installation. If these mats prove to be effective, the project could be scaled up in future years to help control the milfoil infestation across the channel.
Signage will be installed on shore near the mats to inform people of the location of the mats and their purpose.
