President's Report - AGM 2026

BPRA President Andrew Kinnear

Bayou Park Ratepayers Association – President’s AGM Remarks

Good evening, everyone, and thank you for coming out to the Bayou Park Ratepayers Association’s Annual General Meeting. I’m Andrew Kinnear, President of the Bayou Park Ratepayers Association.

Last year at this time we were recovering from the ice storm, facing thousands of dollars in 'black swan' expenses for tree clean up.

This year, we're watching our young blaze maple trees get their start as we mourn the slow death of our mighty ash trees. More tree work predicted for 2027 I think.

You’ll hear more from the treasurer shortly about the financial success of last year’s events, but I want to take a moment to talk about them from an operational point of view. We pulled off a fantastic fundraiser last summer — well-attended, smoothly run, and full of great energy. It reminded us of what this community is capable of when we roll up our sleeves together. That spirit is what helped fund the park work, and it’s the same spirit we’re going to build on this year. We do however need to begin the process of on-boarding new executives into the association. It's the members and residents and their willingness to give their time, money, expertise, and enthusiasm to the organization that has made us so successful for the last 50+ years.

This year's Annual Family Fun Day and Pig Roast on Saturday, August 22nd — our biggest fundraiser of the year. This year will be even better, with great entertainment, fireworks, a bouncy castle, and an amazing dinner. But for it to be successful, we need help.

We’re asking for volunteers ahead of the event — not just on the day of, but over the next month— to help us with business outreach for raffle prizes and sponsor outreach for donations. In your spare time, without as much of a rush or pressure crunch. That’s what made last summer’s event so successful, and we want to continue that formula.

For those not able to volunteer with the day to day anymore due to health or mobility, I want to remind everyone of our Legacy Giving Program . This is an initiative we’re really proud of as it looks only to the future, not the present. It doesn’t require any donation today — just a little space in your will to help protect this park for the future, for the long term. It’s easy to do, costs nothing now, and leaves a lasting legacy. I encourage everyone to take a look at the program — it’s simple and powerful. The details are on our website.

Thank you again to Joey MacFarland from Westshore Crescent, who has stepped up to take on volunteer mowing duties. I'm often asked why there isn't someone raking the beach everyday or other high-maintenance, expensive requests, and I have to remind people that that $35 membership barely covers insurance and taxes. This is a volunteer-run organization, and just a little bit of help from everyone makes things go so much smoother. So grab a rake if the sand needs it, pick up a water bottle if someone forgot to recycle it. Let's act like we own the place, because we do. Thanks again Joey.

So as we look ahead, we’re focused on building, planting, and connecting. This is a small park, but it’s the heart of the neighbourhood — and with your help, it’s going to thrive for generations to come.

Thank you all for being here tonight, and thank you for continuing to show up for Bayou Park.

Here are my full remarks as well as notes, financials, etc from our Annual General Meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qeGQI2q07BYfTghXSXv5HFQh1yybr0En/view?usp=drive_link Feel free to review, and pose any questions you may have.

ELECTIONS

There was a motion to EXTEND nominations for the executive and the board by 1 week to give anyone who wasn't able to make it to the meeting a chance to put forth their nomination for a position on the BPRA.

We're excited to welcome Risha, Mira, and Mike to the board in non-executive roles we call Directors at Large, and remind everyone that President, Treasurer, and Secretary are all still open for the 2026-2028 term. Email info@bayoupark.org with your nomination.

(If you have a question, feel free to email president@bayoupark.org )