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
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.