Park Restart Plan-Step 1 & FAQs

On Friday, April 24, 2020, the State of Michigan announced, from the Office of the Governor, Executive Order No. 2020-59 (“EO 59”).  EO 59 became effective immediately, and rescinded EO 2020-42.  EO 59 extends the Stay-At-Home order through May 15, 2020 while maintaining Federal, State and CDC social distancing requirements and guidelines.

We continue to receive numerous emails, voicemails and posts requesting additional information regarding Sandy Pines, State of Michigan Executive Orders and the impact to our community.  A summary of the EOs is:

• Executive Order 2020-42 – RESCINDS EO 2020-21 Stay-At-Home order extending April 13, 2020 to April 30, 2020 which prohibits travel from one residence to another residence after April 10, 2020.
• Executive Order No. 2020-43 – RESCINDS and REPLACES Executive Order 2020-20 regarding the closure of many places of public accommodation and places of public amusement, such as libraries, gyms, recreation centers and private clubs. EO 2020-43 currently remains in place through April 30, 2020.
• Executive Order 2020-59 – RESCINDS and Replaces EO 2020-42, and extends the Stay-At-Home order from April 30, 2020 to May 15, 2020, while relaxing some restrictions such as travel from one residence to another residence.
• Michigan DNR Orders – Closing campgrounds while allowing access to State Parks for day use only, but no overnight stays in State Parks with camping sites.

What does all this confusion mean to Sandy Pines? The staff continues to work hard to wade through these orders, rules and regulations as Sandy Pines could fall into all the above classifications.  We have regularly communicated with Allegan County, and sought guidance as we move forward.

One important distinction:  EO 2020-59 DOES NOT rescind EO 2020-43.  Therefore, places of public accommodation remain closed.  In addition, EO 2020-59 did not rescind the DNR’s prior closure of State and State-licensed Campgrounds.  Sandy Pines is licensed as a State Campground. The new order does communicate that State Parks (not campgrounds) are open for day use only with no overnight camping.  However, State Campgrounds (Private and Public) remain closed.  This distinction has been important to us as we seek to abide by State law and move forward carefully and cautiously on behalf of our members and staff.

Based on the above confusion among the Executive Orders, the distinction between Parks vs. Campgrounds, and acting in what we believe is the best interest of our wonderful park, Sandy Pines will make effective the below Restart Plan (subject to revised guidance as this remains an active and fluid situation):

Sandy Pines Restart Plan

Park Restart Plan will have 3 Steps

• Step  1 – 5/1/20
• Step 2 – 6/1/20
• Step 3 – 7/1/20

Step 1: Effective 5/1/20

• Members and Immediate Household only will have access to the park and their sites
  • Members with children living outside the household included (college students, adults, etc.)
• Paid Seasonal Sites meeting the same requirements as Members and Immediate Household
• Maximum Site Occupancy 8 persons per site meeting above requirements
• Main Gate Entrance only – PSO to confirm count and household
• Sandy Pines Basic Staff to report to work May 4, 2020
• Water to be turned on April 27, 2020 – May 4, 2020 to accommodate Member’s return
• Pump outs to start per plan(s) starting May 4, 2020; missed Pump Outs to be credited
• Facilities / Places of Public Accommodation to remain CLOSED; Offices (Admin and PSO) to open May 4, 2020 with limitations
  • Admin – Hours 8am – 4pm; Open to Members by appointment only 10am – 2pm (must wear mask)
  • PSO – Emergency and Patrol 24 hrs./7 days; Open to Members by appointment only (must wear mask)
• Renewals process to restart May 4, 2020 with renewals to be mailed out week of May 11, 2020
• Renewal payments due June 25, 2020 rather than original May 25, 2020
• Recreation and other events to be finalized and announced week of May 11, 2020
• Park and Garden – Open weekends only while adhering to posted capacity limitations and social distancing
• Dairy Dip and Outback Restaurant available to open when ready – take out or curbside only, no inside seating
• Outback Store available to open when ready while adhering to posted capacity limitations and social distancing
• Social Distancing expectations, rules and enforcing violations/fines to start May 1, 2020
• Plan may be adjusted at any time due to any new Executive Orders and/or revised guidance.

In the meantime, as outlined, these plans remain subject to review and revision as necessary as we receive ongoing guidance.  As we all have learned over the last several weeks, this is a fluid situation that changes often.

Please continue to visit our website at SandyPines.com/COVID19. For answers not found online, please contact our Public Safety Office at Security@SandyPines.com  at 616.896.9006.  I’m also available to help with any questions you may have by email or phone. We will get through this by working together.  Thank you for your grace, patience and understanding as we work together in the best interests of Sandy Pines.

God bless and stay safe!

Jeff Sweitzer
Park President
Sandy Pines Recreational Community
Jeff@sandypines.com

Rick Day
Chairman of the Board
Sandy Pines Recreational Community
BoardOfDirectors@sandypines.com

Definitions

Member

An individual and/or his/her spouse and/or co-owner who maintains a membership in good standing with the Park. A membership cannot have more than two individuals (reference Sandy Pines Handbook)

Associate Member

Member spouses, member’s children and their spouses, member’s parents, stepchildren and those children under legal guardianship, 16 years and older. A membership who has no other associate member, may designate one associate member. This may not change more than one time a year.

Immediate Family/Single Household

• Father/Mother/Children in same household
• Adult Children – College students living away from home, adults who may live outside the household, but are immediate family
• Grandchildren

Non-Immediate Household

• Grandparents who are non-members
• Aunts
• Uncles
• Cousins
• Designated Associates non-family related

8 Person Capacity per site

• Minimize occupancy to hinder potential virus spread
• Protect staff and fellow members
• Meets State Campground requirements

Can members stay overnight at the park?

• Yes, Members and those part of their household are allowed to stay overnight. EO 59 states “all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons not part of a single household are prohibited”, unless it is to care for a member of the household
• Camping and overnight camping are not permitted. Associates, Non-Immediate Household and Guests are not permitted.
• Each member is required to take all steps necessary for the member to comply with EO 59 and all applicable EOs.

“Immediate family” that can ride in with member? Only their children or does that include parent(s) and grandchildren?

• As defined above, children can be defined as ASSOCIATES who have cards to enter the park. ASSOCIATE cards will be shut off. It is highly recommended that “immediate family” travel with members to enter the park.  Keep in mind that EO 59 requires “single household”.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will we be allowed to enter the park at 12:00am Thursday night/Friday morning May 1, 2020?
  • Members will be allowed to enter the park starting 7:00am Friday morning May 1, 2020
  • Please remember our staffing is limited; we will have enough staff to accommodate members entering starting at 7:00 am
• Will we be allowed to put boats in the lake?
  • As stated earlier, we remain short staffed at the moment
  • For the safety of our members and staff, boats will be allowed starting May 11, 2020 once we have the ability to get the lake ready for members and staff appropriately.
  • This date will be revisited and if we can allow this earlier than May 11^th. We will do so.
• Which CC’s will be available? Masks required when using CC (exception in the shower)?
  • CC’s 2, 6, 10 and 11 will remain open
  • Masks required when using CC’s (except showers)
• Will water be on Park wide by Friday?
  • Water will start to be turned on April 27-May 4
  • Plan is to have the vast majority of water turned on in the park
  • There may be some exceptions that we will deal with on a case by case basis
• Golf carts permitted?
  • Immediate, single household members allowed only in golf cart
  • Must maintain social distancing requirements and no gatherings
• Restrictions on number of times members can enter/leave the park?
  • No
• Is the leaf dump accessible? (Hope so). Addendum; is cleanup deadline still 06/10?
  • Yes, leaf dump will be open
  • June 29 is the current adjusted deadline
• Gate procedure for phase 3?
  • Member cards will remain on; swipe to enter
  • Associate cards shutoff
• Masks required while outside in public, i.e. while on golf cart?
  • Recommended; only required for enclosed areas.
• Laundromat(s) available (while wearing mask)?
  • Yes, must follow posted CDC guidelines
  • Yes, masks required.
• Contractors allowed? trailer repairs/services, lot cleanup contractors, propane filling, deliveries (firewood, appliance/furniture)? Charter (Internet / cable) service calls?
  • Are contractors going to be allowed in the park after May 1^st?
    • Contractors fall under construction. We continue to monitor the State of Michigan orders and position. They are NOT allowed unless they fall under the following exceptions:
      • Propane (essential)
      • Lot clean up (considered landscaping)
      • Under CISA 1.0 Guidelines, incorporated by EO 59, “Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences”.
    • More specifically, are we allowing propane companies in to deliver?
      • Yes, propane deliveries are allowed
• Fines/points for ignoring social distancing guidelines? How much, if any?
  • 10 points per violation
  • $1,000 fine 1^st violation (meets State of Michigan requirement)
  • $1,500 fine 2^nd violation (Membership subject to termination)
• Which laundry facilities are open?
  • All 4 will be open
  • Restrooms will be closed
• Is the leaf dump/recycling center open?
  • Yes
• Will you be crediting renewals or offering dues refunds?
  • Membership Dues will not be refunded. Dues cover 40-45% of our operating budget. Revenues that offset the remaining 60% are projected to be significantly down. Dues are similar to city taxes and school mileages to run a city or district. They are not refunded as the work, costs and expenses to maintain the park has not stopped.
  • Renewals – will be addressed the Week of May 4. Missed Pump Outs due to park closure will be credited.
• We live with our daughter who is an associate member. She recently got engaged – her fiancé has been living with us through this quarantine. His license doesn’t have our address, but would he be able to come with us to SP on May 1st when it opens since he’s living with us currently?
  • EO 59 states “all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons not part of a single household are prohibited”.  It will be incumbent upon each member to determine who is part of their household, for purposes of compliance with EO 59.
• We are in Phase 3. Do we check in at the main gate or will there be a check in at the Phase 3 gate?
  • Phase 3 Gate will be available to access Phase 3 sites.
• By “members”, does Sandy Pines mean ONLY “owners”?
  • See above definitions. Must abide by 8-person maximum site capacity and EO 59.
• What about “associate members”? They are likely adult children living outside the household of members/owners.
  • See above definitions. Must abide by 8-person maximum site capacity and EO 59.
• What about “grandchildren”? They are likely children of associate members.
  • See above definitions. Must abide by 8-person maximum site capacity and EO 59.
• What about guests? There is no mention of them in this Phase 1 information, though people will be wondering if guests may or may not visit at Sandy Pines during May.
  • Guests will not be allowed until June 1, at the earliest