Mission
A registered non-profit organization, the Hendrick Foundation’s mission is to protect the natural environment and encourage appreciation of the natural surroundings by curating access for all.
The Foundation fosters social interaction among Hendrick Farm residents, the Hendrick Farm Village, the Municipality of Chelsea and the public at large, by providing access to the lands as well as building and maintaining recreational infrastructure on the land that is owned and governed by the Hendrick Foundation.
This land includes the large five-acre Hendrick Foundation Garden located at the heart of the Hendrick Farm community in Chelsea Quebec, Hendrick Park’s acres of forested park, trails, and gathering spaces, as well as the Hendrick Park Natural Playground and Dog Park.
One percent of home sales and resales in the Hendrick Farm neighbourhood directly support the Hendrick Foundation’s maintenance and improvement of these public green spaces.
Vision for 2024
The Foundation will be focusing on the following in 2024:
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A resident has generously donated a shed to the Foundation. This shed will have an electrical supply for the small pressure tank required for the well that serves the Foundation Garden and will also help store items related to the Foundation's activities.
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Working with the Community Garden committee, the Foundation will enhance the infrastructure along the road entrance. Grading and levelling the gravel road will improve drainage and access. The Foundation will also add parking spaces and install the bike racks purchased last year.
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The Foundation will remove invasive species (mostly buckthorn) growing along the Garden treeline. Initial discussions have started about invasives within Hendrick Park; further study is needed.
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The Busy Bee Zone in the Foundation Garden will be getting a facelift. The hives will be moved to their final location, pollinator-friendly shrubs planted to create a natural barrier around the hive area, and educational signage will be added.
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The Foundation removed the mulch in the raspberry patch and replaced it with eco-grass seed, simplifying upkeep. Thanks to volunteers, a pruning schedule has also been established.
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New trails will connect Phases 2 and 4 of the Hendrick Farm project to the Foundation’s trail system. Additionally, the Foundation is collaborating with other community organizations to solidify the Hendrick Park trails further.
This will help with trail maintenance and allow the trail to better service our community throughout the year.
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Planned tree planting by the creek will mitigate the impact of beavers and erosion.
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The Foundation will continue to support special project committees & educational programming.
5-Year Plan
The Foundation’s vision over the next 5 years includes four main items:
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The Board of Directors wants to ensure that the Foundation is set up for financial stability for many decades to come. With the transformation of the garden, the Foundation is already starting to build up a nest egg that will both produce returns for the Foundation and ensure stability once new house sales in the Hendrick Farm neighbourhood no longer make up the bulk of the funding.
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A long-term goal is to continue building the trail system to ensure all phases are connected to the Hendrick Farm forest and improve connections to the greater community. Relationships are being cultivated with other organizations in Chelsea to help us with this endeavour, and we see an opportunity to connect our paths with potential future Gatineau Park paths since the NCC purchased the old golf course.
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We want to continue to foster and improve community participation on all Hendrick Foundation land. We anticipate this through community involvement, educational components/initiatives, committees, and special projects. Volunteerism is a crucial component of the Foundation's success.
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Given the public nature of the Hendrick Foundation's land holdings and its mission to also give back to the broader community, the Foundation wants to ensure that it continues to foster relationships with community groups from Chelsea and that all residents of the municipality feel welcome walking its trails and enjoying its green spaces.
Financials
Explore the Foundation’s financials for the past year.