In early 2007, a group of citizens in Hanwell, New Brunswick, became concerned about the lack of community parks and recreational facilities and programs in the Hanwell Local Service District (LSD). Under the current government structure, it is very difficult to procure property for the benefit of the community, because the LSD is not incorporatated. .

The group was particularly alarmed that the Government of New Brunswick had decided to sell a parcel of land, identified as "Somerset Park", without noticed to or consultation with the residents. Specifically, there was no process by which the community could purchase and develop this land for the benefit of the community, as envisioned by the original land developer.

Therefore, an application was submitted under the Companies Act, and the Hanwell Community Development Association Inc. was incorporated in April 2007 as a not-for-profit company, for the purposes of aquiring and managing property for the benefit of the community. The Company has a 7-member Board of Directors.

It should be emphasized that this is an autonomous and separate body, and that local taxes are not being raised to support the Association.