Dear Seabrook Island Property Owners,
As we move into Spring 2026, I’m pleased to provide this update on the Amenities and Activities Committee’s accomplishments from last year and our exciting goals for the year ahead. Our committee remains dedicated to enhancing the social, recreational, and wellness opportunities that make Seabrook Island such a vibrant place to live, aligning with SIPOA’s mission to preserve property values and improve quality of life for all Property Owners.
Accomplishments in 2025 – 2025 was a transformative year for the committee, building on our rebranding from the Activities Committee to the Amenities & Activities Committee in early 2025. This change expanded our scope to better focus on reviewing, promoting, and improving the island’s many amenities, over 20 in total, from facilities like the Lake House to natural spaces such as trails and waterways.
Key highlights include:
- Trail Enhancements: We completed and rebranded the Lake House Fitness Trail, adding outdoor workout stations to promote fitness and wellness while enjoying the island’s natural beauty. Additionally, the Marsh to Breakers Trail was finished, providing a scenic path that connects key areas and encourages greater exploration of our conserved lands.
- New Amenities Guide: The committee invested significant time in creating the “Island Life”, a comprehensive new SIPOA Amenities and Activities guide. This resource details our trails, observation areas, water access points, and more, helping Property Owners discover and utilize these assets to foster a stronger sense of community.
- Events and Programming: We coordinated four successful all-island events, including the Memorial Day Luau on the Lake House lawn, which welcomed new Property Owners with a pig roast and live music. Our “Get the Scoop” series continued with sessions on topics like the Property Owner Portal and “Who Does What?” featuring TOSI, SIPOA, and SIC representatives.
These efforts only increased awareness and usage of existing amenities, but also strengthened community bonds through inclusive programming.
Welcomed Two New Lake House Staff Members – We are thrilled to welcome two new team members to the Lake House staff: Hannah Rice and Whitney Benson. Their energy and expertise will greatly support our events, facility operations, and community engagement efforts moving forward.
Goals for 2026 – Looking forward, our focus is on building upon these foundations through targeted work groups and strategic initiatives outlined in SIPOA’s 2026-27 Strategic Plan. We’ll continue prioritizing cost-effective improvements, expanded programing, and collaboration to enhance engagement and quality of life.
Work Group Priorities:
- Trails & Observation Areas: Assess and prioritize enhancements for remaining trails. We will explore the possibility of incorporating additional paths into our trail system, as well as enhancing various nature viewing-observation areas. We’ll explore feasibility for an interconnected island trail system, potentially linking the Lake House to the beach.
- Water Access: Partner with the General Operations and Maintenance Committee (GOMC) to improve the kayak launch, Crab Dock, and fishing areas across SIPOA-owned bridges, lakes, ponds, and marsh locations. We’ll look to identify additional sites to expand opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
Amenity Expansion & Programming – Continue evaluating underutilized assets, with a prioritized multi-year plan based on costs, benefits, and Property Owner feedback. This includes brainstorming sponsored activities to boost awareness and utilization, such as guided nature walks and wellness events.
Events & Collaboration – Coordinate our four annual all-island events (Oyster Roast, Luau, July 4th, and Thanksgiving Week) with the Lake House staff. We’ll also partner with other SIPOA committees for relevant “Get the Scoop” programs and assist with special interest groups with their requests. This year, we’re excited to collaborate with the Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy and the Safety and Security Committee for an Earth Day-inspired event – the Tour de Greenspace on Sunday, April 26th. This family-friendly event highlights bike safety and the importance of protecting our conserved green spaces.
Master Plan Support – Collaborate with the SIPOA arm of the Master Plan Committee on concepts for the Lake House, Oyster Catcher Community Center, and other amenities ensuring phased improvements align with community needs.
Mark your calendars…
- April 26 – Tour de Green Space hosted by the Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy (SIGSC) with the Safety and Security Committee. Begin with a brief bike safety overview, then enjoy a self-guided, family-friendly ride through Seabrook Island’s conserved green spaces while brushing up on bike safety along the way.
- May 11 – Get the Scoop: Meet the Executive Director plus a brief discussion on Master Plan projects at the Lake House, Live Oak Hall; 4:00pm.
- May 23 – Luau to welcome new Property Owners and celebrate the beginning of Summer. This is an all-island event for Seabrook Island Property Owners. Event details – Location: Lake House Lawn; Time: 4:00 – 7:00pm; Pig roast; Live music.
Thank you for your support as we work to make Seabrook Island even more enjoyable. Let’s make 2026 a year of continued growth and connection!
Amenities & Activities members: Jean Daly, Bradford Hood, Heather Howard-Haffey, Paula McGill, Sarah Normandia, Joseph Ritchie, Beth Wright, Michelle Wiedemuth (Chair), Richie Bavasso (Vice Chair)
Submitted by Michelle Wiedemuth, Amenities & Activities Chair
