A tender has been awarded to redesign Parc du Sommet in an effort to make it safer and to curb illicit activities.
But the motion was controversial for Moncton City Council and it narrowly passed by a vote of 6 to 5.
Councillor Paul Pellerin noted how he was recently propositioned by a street worker on St. George Street in broad daylight.
“I know for a fact that there certain other spots where people are actually shooting up in public in the middle of the day… not behind dumpsters, not behind trees and not behind berms,” he noted.
Councillor Paulette Theriault believes the claims of crime have been exaggerated after she recently walked through the park at night.
She was also concerned at how quickly the process unfolded and believes there will be a public backlash.
Clintar Landscape Management was awarded the tender at a cost of $158,000.
Some trees and berms will be removed from the park and more lighting will be added.
(Redesign image courtesy City of Moncton)