In 2013, a large swath of land including Acadian old growth forest along the west side of Sandy Lake was suddenly clear-cut by a residential developer. (The land was subsequently sold to a different developer.) This action came as a surprise to residents as it was in an area originally designated for the Sandy Lake Regional Park. It became clear that rather than park land, those lands lying close to Sandy Lake could be developed with residences for as many as 16,000 people, and would add 8,000 vehicles to the Hammonds Plains Road.