Mooney’s Bay Park closing at 9 p.m. this weekend as police step up patrols
A popular Ottawa park will be closed at night this weekend as officials plan to step up enforcement of COVID-19 gathering rules.
Coun. Riley Brockington says Mooney's Bay Park will close at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, "as part of a city initiative to address a number of issues in the park late at night."
Brockington says this will occur for two weekends and will be assessed before a decision is made by city staff on summer hours.
In a letter to city manager Steve Kanellakos this week, Brockington said large crowds have continued to gather at Mooney's Bay along the Rideau River this spring.
Brockington outlined the following on-going issues:
- Presence of dogs when the park is a "No Dogs" designated park
- The discharge of fireworks
- Smoking in the park (cigarettes, cigars, waterpipes, cannabis)
- Open consumption of alcohol, including the delivery of alcohol to the park, people walking from the parking lot with cases of beer
- The chaos of the parking lot and inconsistent presence of bylaw
- The playing of loud music by professional DJs well after 11 p.m.
- The large number of people in the park, well after 11 p.m.
- The amount of garbage and litter on the park grounds on the weekend
- People sleeping overnight in the park
- Lack of lifeguards when thousands are in the water over a weekend
Brockington told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron that he wants the park to be used, but there are issues that need to be addressed.
Brockington said one issue is professional DJs advertising events at Mooney's Bay on weekends.
"They've been advertising on social media, I think that's how they've been drawing such large crowds," said Brockington.
"I'm not opposed to music and people having fun, but the park currently closes now at 11 (p.m.) and there are literally hundreds, if not more, people have been gathering there. People live across the bay, on the Carleton Heights side, I can hear this loud."
The news of the 9 p.m. park closure at Mooney's Bay comes as Ottawa police vow to take a “zero tolerance approach” to disorderly behaviour across the capital. As of Friday, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people and outdoor dining are allowed under Ontario’s reopening plan.
Police and bylaw officers will be stepping up patrols in the ByWard Market, beaches and parks this weekend.
Police say there will be an increased police presence in the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau areas starting Friday evening, as well as at beaches and parks.
"Officers will take a zero tolerance approach to disorderly behaviours, such as Liquor Licence Act offences and criminal activity that can negatively impact residents, visitors and businesses," said police in a statement.
"Police will also assist city Bylaw officers in ensuring the overall respect of the Step 1 restrictions announced in the framework of the Reopening Ontario after COVID-19."
Ottawa Bylaw is reminding patrons that people standing in line outside an establishment while waiting for a table must maintain a two metre physical distance from anyone outside your household, or wear a mask.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.