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
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.