McNab-Braeside Council is taking drastic steps to reign in vandalism at its community parks.
Tuesday night (May 21st), elected representatives received reports of the extent of irresponsible behaviour that is decimating Township assets.
Over a period beginning March 14th and continuing through May 19th, there were nine incidents of destruction including theft and arson, but seven were instances of turf damage from vehicle treads.
(Vandalism report, agenda item 8.13, details the destruction:
March 14th/evening, Defibrillator and snow blower stolen from the Municipal Complex
April 5-7th, Dochart Park: vehicle tore up the grass – neighbour reported a small Ford
Ranger with a light on the roof
April 26th /evening, White Lake Park: vehicle tore up the grass
April 26-28th /evening, Red Pine Bay: truck with large tires tore up the grass
April 30th /evening – early hours May 1, Red Pine Bay: two picnic tables lit on fire, truck
tore up the grass, fire left unattended, several empty Twisted Tea cans left behind
April 23rd /evening, Waba Museum & Gardens: dark grey pick-up knocked the stop sign
down (caught on security camera)
May 7th / 4-5:30 pm, White Lake Park – Ball Diamond: someone tore up the freshly
groomed ball diamond
May 13th /evening, Red Pine Bay: truck tore up the grass
May 18 or 19 PM, MCP – vehicle tore up the grass at the front of the property.
Recreation Director Andrea Lamontagne says an attitude of, “It’s just kids, let them be” doesn’t cut it.
As of last night, all municipal parks are no longer open 24-7.
Mayor Mark MacKenzie summarized consensus on the new operative hours for Township Parks.
Signage will be posted at the entrance to all parks.
Deputy Mayor Lori Hoddinott says posted signage will allow police and by-law to enforce park closures.
OPP had requested to be immediately notified of any change in hours, because when a facility is open round-the-clock, anyone can justify being there at anytime, whereas closing hours can be regulated by a police presence.
The closure would not apply when there is a scheduled Township event or sporting game.
For the four parks with a boat launch, an exception is made for those who have purchased a Boat Launch Parking Pass; this will be reflected on signage.
Launch passes are visible, or can be pulled by by-law or staff from the HONK app.
All McNab-Braeside parks will close at 10PM nightly and reopen at 6 the next morning.
Parks will be clearly signed with the new hours of operation
Signage will be paid for using existing funds in the applicable park maintenance account.
Each 12×18″ aluminum sign is approx. $85 ( from park hours report, agenda item 8.7 pages 40-42), Councillor Kevin Rosien does the math.
An additional expense will see security cameras operative within all municipal parks.
Councillor Scott Brum notes the estimated cost of installation (authorized at up to 2500 dollars) will be less than just one of the landscape repairs necessitated by the wanton disregard for public property.
Four security cameras already purchased were considered in the 2024 budget.
Surveillance options for the remaining three properties will be addressed once costs and options
have been confirmed, but Council has indicated its preference for state-of-the-art gear.
A decision of kind and type of security installations will be made by Recreation Director Andrea Lamontagne,
who will report back to Council at its next meeting.
Residents are asked to report any act of vandalism in progress to the police by calling 9-1-1.
Tips can be shared anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
By Rick Stow
