The ACA reported in 1973 that for a number of years, the community had been concerned about the conditions in the area of the beaches and other recreational properties being maintained by Sunrise Beach, Inc. from the annual $22 fee assessed in the deed of each lot in the community. The beaches, boat ramps, and docks within Arden at this time did not belong to the community but rather owned and operated by a profit-making corporation known as Sunrise Beach, Inc. to whom lot owners are bound to pay an annual $22 fee per lot. Due to inflation and other demands on that corporation’s time in the early 1970s, beach maintenance and control had been seriously degrading over the past several years. With the intent of providing a more responsive and enduring maintenance corporation, the Arden Beach Buying Committee was formed under the Arden Civic Association with a goal to purchase the organization, its beach properties and facilities, and establish a community-based and operated non-profit maintenance corporation that would operate separately from the Civic Association with a permanent board seat for the Civic Association. It would be influenced by those properties owners who initially contributed toward this purchase in exchange for shares in the form of voting power within the organization. Against an initial offer of $130,000 made by Beach Shores, Inc., the committee conducted its feasibility studies, presented its results to property owners, and initiated a share purchasing program. Negotiations were completed with Beach Shores, Inc. and a realistic and workable arrangement was reached for a price of $60,000 for the purchase of the organization and all its beach associated properties and the rights to collection of the $22 annual fee with an effective date of sale of December 21, 1975. If Arden is to remain a truly “beach” community, its beaches must be properly maintained and controlled.

Some of the problem areas that prompted this proposal included lack of enforcement of existing beach rules; lack of control of those using the beaches, specifically non-lot owners; unnecessary traffic through the community by non-lot owners using the beaches; poor physical condition of the access steps at beaches 5 and 2 promised to be fixed for years, and the boat park in Section 2; poor physical condition of the piers and ramps; and lack of erosion correction and control at beaches 2 and 4.

Advantages and disadvantages were discussed. Advantages being described as being community owned, we could assign priorities on actions to be taken; direct controls on non-lot owners and enforcement of beach rules; be closer to the problems and more anxious to correct them, more timely maintenance would be performed; eliminate undesirable through traffic by enforcing non-owner restrictions; set and change beach rules; and provide greater longevity and attractive beach facilities. Disadvantages discussed were concerns regarding the work required being a lot for volunteers; lack of participation/cooperation making it more difficult for those that do volunteer; potential desire to be over-zealous and too strict with rules/enforcement; and lack of capable, willing leadership which is necessary for such an undertaking. The committee felt the advantages outweighed the disadvantages and decided to move forward with the purchase. The asking price to purchase the beach areas, boat launching areas, some lots adjacent to boat anchorage areas, and some park areas was $130,000.

A fact-finding committee was appointed by ACA to conduct an orderly search for answers related to the feasibility of purchasing the corporation. In May 1974, upon the completion of legal, financial, and management investigations, the committee presented a recommendation and proposal to the community. The community response to this presentation resulted in a large proportionate desire for the community to purchase Sunrise Beach, Inc. The Beach Buying Committee proceeded with plans for soliciting funds from the lot owners of Arden and to take up bargaining with Sunrise Beach, Inc.

At the time Arden was subdivided, restrictions were placed on parcels which are generally referred to as beach facilities which would prohibit the building of homes on these properties to ensure that these properties will remain for recreational use.

Discussions were held with key people from another community with a similar situation which revealed that this approach was similar to what they had already done with much success reassuring that Arden ownership of Arden beaches is a valid solution to current beach association problems. To do nothing may well result in beaches becoming public.

The ACA Beach Buying Committee members who compiled the information outlined in this historic recollection were Clete Schreffler (Chairman), Earl Parsons, Howard Stanley, Don Yeskey, Jeffy Tolodziecki, Larry Vogel, and Dick Russell.

With the overwhelming approval of those Ardenites attending the regular ACA meeting on April 19, 1976, the Beach Buying Committee is moving forward with the purchase of the beaches and recreational areas for a purchase price of $60,000. Contributions collected and deposited as of April 13, 1976 totaled $58,950.66 noting outstanding pledges of $3,000. With the outstanding pledges and settlement costs, a shortage of $3,861.10 was predicted. Additional contributions were solicited to cover the shortfall. The solicitors working to seek contributions for this purchase were: Charlie Riley, Joseph Buckholtz, Dave Hultang, Ron Martin, John Bauman, William Gardner, Reginald Hartman, and Richard Cline.  After additional contribution collection efforts were made, an updated settlement date was announced of April 29, 1976.

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ABI First Board of Governors

ACA Special Fund

Arden Beaches, Inc.