(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Speakers at the August Cobourg Police Service Board meeting painted a vivid picture of problems in the town’s parks.
Specifically, Catherine Gissing reported on what’s happening at Victoria Park and Richard Livesey spoke for the Cobourg Ecology Garden.
Gissing detailed the negative impact of homeless people on behalf of concerned people who live near Victoria Park.
“This group is proud to be part of this community and truly value Victoria Park as a public space meant for the respective enjoyment of all,” she said, but it’s becoming increasingly concerning to enjoy it.
Gissing detailed “a range of troubling activities,” listing loud swearing, littering, drug dealing, public defecation, sexual activity, overnight camping, fighting and aggressive behaviour.
These are complex issues, she acknowledged, “but the fact is, over the last several months, families in our neighbourhood no longer feel safe using the park.”
She said they are also deeply concerned over the on-going deterioration of the park, but added that there had been some improvement in recent days.
Gissing offered recommendations under two categories.
There are areas that hide illegal activities, she noted, suggesting “aggressive pruning of the hedges around the Rotary Floral Clock” or at least replacing the current plantings with something shorter like boxwood plants or a low masonry wall.
“It is the most commonly used public toilet in Cobourg, sadly,” she commented.
She also suggested blocking off the stairwell behind the clock.
“Tourists are unaware of what’s happening around the clock, and we often see children and families playing on the floral mound.”
Second, overnight use of the park must be monitored with such measures as motion-sensor lights and anti-loitering noise systems, and perhaps shortening the current park hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. might be in order.
“We believe these are reasonable steps that can help restore Victoria Park as a safe and welcoming space for everyone.”
The Ecology Garden is a different situation, Livesey said. Located just south of Legion Village, it has been cared for for almost 30 years by the Cobourg Ecology Gardeners group – average age of about 70 – and is often visited by the seniors from Legion Village.
The issues are not new, he said, but have been increasing over the past couple of years.
They regularly find evidence of people sleeping there overnight, such as human waste, needles and benches moved to a place with more privacy. The wood sculpture in the garden is regularly hacked into for firewood.
“We appreciate the support we get from police, bylaw officers and parks, but would request more support before the problem becomes untenable,” Livesey urged.
Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty said it’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening to the Ecology Garden, a spot she regularly enjoys with her kids and dog. She wondered if fencing it off and having regular hours for opening might be an option.
“We would like to explore other solutions in advance of that,” Livesey said.
“It would hurt us as as town as well as a garden.”
Board Vice-chair Sean Graham wondered if security cameras on the site would work, but Livesey said that would be costly to implement given the lack of electrical infrastructure on the site.
Graham also suggested a full CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) audit of the sites might be worthwhile.
Gissing asked the board whether they could expect the recent improvements she mentioned to continue, as well as clarity on whom to contact for which problem – police for a crime, for example, but who would be appropriate to approach for excessive noise?
“The reality is, we are in an era of chronic displacement, where folks may or may not have had suitable shelter,” Chief Paul VandeGraaf said.
“We are living it, unfortunately, in our beautiful parks and the downtown.”
Though he acknowledged the success to which Gissing referred, he pledged also to pursue and maximize partnerships that could accomplish more.
As for whom to call for what, he suggested a FAQ document might be created to address that.
The board ended up passing Beatty’s motion directing Chief VandeGraaf to report back to the board on the issues raised, as well as to refer the delegation to the town’s parks department and to conduct the CPTED audit Graham mentioned.
