News Release
Noise, Reckless Driving May Lead to Early Parking Lot Closure
(Thursday, June 12/2003)-- Councillor Sue Uteck today urged patrons who gather at the lower parking lot of Point Pleasant Park to tone down their antics, or the area may have to be closed to traffic as early as 6 p.m.
Councillor Uteck said local residents and visitors to the Park are again complaining about excessive noise, racing engines, squealing tires and reckless driving by a number of "regulars" who gather in the lower parking lot in the evenings.
The Councillor said "While the majority of those who gather make it a social evening, there are those who come to perform. My children and I witnessed a terrific civics lesson last night, which proves the old adage, "the bigger the car, the smaller the man". We were subjected to multiple "doughnuts" (a vehicle spinning in circles ) by an individual who was cheered on by the honking and horn blowing by the majority of car owners present."
She said those involved in this type of activity only demonstrate that they have a lack of respect for Point Pleasant Park, the neighbourhood residents and those who come to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the park.
"As the Councillor for the area, I once again plead for a strategy of cooperation and communication between groups gathering in the lower parking lot of Point Pleasant Park, and the Halifax Regional Police and HRM's Park Patrol Service.
"If the kind of conduct that I witnessed last night continues, I will have no choice but to recommend an even earlier closing of the lower parking lot. If those causing these problems do not want to police themselves, then we'll have to do it. No residential area should not have to put up with what the residents in the south end have experienced. I want to congratulate them for having faith in the process. I will be consulting Parks and Open Spaces officials to look at an earlier closing." the Councillor said.
Parks officials and Halifax Regional Police last year were forced to close the gates to the lower parking lot at Point Pleasant Park at 9 p.m. because of complaints of excessive noise and similar reckless driving incidents reported.
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Councillor Sue Uteck
(902) 221-7651
