Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland believes the overnight vandalism at the Cobourg Ecology Garden was a retaliatory act connected to the Town’s recent decision to remove drug advocacy language from its proposed Parks Master Plan.
In a statement issued Friday, June 26, Cleveland said he was “deeply saddened but not surprised” by the damage to the garden, which has become a focal point in discussions surrounding drug use and criminal activity in the downtown area.
“I have absolutely no doubt as to why this occurred,” Cleveland said. “The Ecology Garden has become the ‘Ground Zero’ in our war against criminal drug-related activities.”
The mayor said he believes the vandalism was retaliation for council’s recent unanimous vote to remove language related to drug advocacy from the draft Parks Master Plan, a position that had also been supported by the Ecology Garden.
“I fully believe this is retaliation for Council’s very recent unanimous vote to remove every single word of the wholly inappropriate drug advocacy language in our proposed parks master plan, and the Ecology Garden’s 100 per cent support of the same,” he said.
Cleveland said the incident demonstrates that enforcement, rather than redesigning public spaces, is needed to address criminal behaviour.
“This is again not about how we redesign the garden,” he said. “No flights of fantasy will stop those with criminal intentions, short of arrest and prosecution. This is about making arrests; this is criminal vandalism under any code of law. This cannot be tolerated.”
He expressed confidence that the Cobourg Police Service, working alongside the Town’s Municipal By-Law Officers, would investigate the incident and make arrests if those responsible are identified.
Cleveland also thanked Town staff for their prompt response in cleaning up the vandalism.
The extent of the damage has not been publicly detailed, and police have not yet released information regarding any suspects or arrests.
June 26th, 2026
I was deeply saddened but not surprised to hear the news that Cobourg’s beloved Ecology Garden was viciously vandalized overnight.
I have absolutely no doubt as to why this occurred. The Ecology Garden has become the “Ground Zero” in our war against criminal drug-related activities.
The leadership of the Ecology Garden spoke so clearly and eloquently about the current siege they have been enduring from criminal addicts.
I fully believe this is retaliation for Council’s very recent unanimous vote to remove every single word of the wholly inappropriate drug advocacy language in our proposed parks master plan, and the Ecology Garden’s 100% support of the same.
This is again not about how we redesign the garden. No flights of fantasy will stop those with criminal intentions, short of arrest and prosecution. This is about making arrests; this is criminal vandalism under any code of law. This cannot be tolerated.
I know the Cobourg Police, in tandem with our Municipal By-Law Officers, will do everything to make appropriate arrests in this instance.
I want to thank Town Staff for their quick response in helping to clean up the damage.
Lucas Cleveland
Mayor of Cobourg
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
