Some users and neighbours of a Windsor park are sounding the alarm over people camping in the park at night.
A group has moved into Remington Park near the dog park and the pool, and neighbours said they have been locking people out of the dog park and swimming in the pool overnight.
Some are concerned about the trash the group is leaving behind and fear public health could be at risk because there might be dirty discarded drug needles.
A frustrated local resident, Bob Duff, uses the park and told Blackburn News it's a pain because he can't walk his dogs early in the morning.
"I'm getting there at 7 am.m. or 7:30 a.m. and there is a tent pitched, they have a campfire going and there's people living [in there]. They have a padlock on the gate so you can't get in the dog park," Duff said.
Some Remington Park users and neighbours are sounding the alarm over people camping in the park at night. Aug. 12, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Duff said he pays taxes and wants to get the public park back for his dogs and others to enjoy because this has been going on for at least a week.
"That's the highlight of their day, it's the only place they can go in the city and be off a leash and run and be dogs and these people seem to think they own the park and can do whatever they want," he added.
Duff said he doubts the group is homeless because they have expensive taste.
"They claim they're homeless but they have a pretty expensive tent. It's got to be worth, I would say $500 and they all have pretty fancy mountain bikes," said Duff.
Windsor police said officers are monitoring the area. They recently checked it out but found nobody there.
"Our service is committed to working with our community partners that deal with homelessness to ensure that not only laws are being enforced, but that people in need within our community get access to the help available," said Sergeant Steve Betteridge, public information officer.