The above pictures of a 20 year old tree hacked down Sunday night, July 9, 2023 in Coldstream Park, with lots of neighbour comments about kids misdeeds and criminal activities, were posted Monday morning on a north-east Oshawa community social media group page.
Mayor Carter, only last month, with DRPS Inspector Saliba and members of Council in attendance spoke passionate words about the consequences for vandalism in a press conference at the Human Rights Garden in Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park (where the light posts were smashed and paint poured on the park sign). Two of the three perpetrators were charged.
I am hopeful a similar strong effort can be made to find whoever caused this damage to Coldstream Park. A repeat of the message needs to be spread that such bad behaviour as felling a live park tree and the wanton destruction of public assets will not be tolerated.
This large park between two schools unfortunately has little shade. For some reason the trees planted 20 years ago have been slow to grow and not well positioned. In 2014, years before I was elected, and again during the last term of council, residents made delegations about the need to improve this park due to its inadequate amenities for the large residential catchment area it serves.
I’ve previously messaged senior staff about the concerns related to misdeeds in the park and the level of neighbours' concerns. In exchanges with Oshawa Mayor, Parks staff and DRPS I expressed hope the response to this situation will reassure families that the City cares and is proactive.
Mayor Carter, only last month, with DRPS Inspector Saliba and members of Council in attendance spoke passionate words about the consequences for vandalism in a press conference at the Human Rights Garden in Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park (where the light posts were smashed and paint poured on the park sign). Two of the three perpetrators were charged.
I am hopeful a similar strong effort can be made to find whoever caused this damage to Coldstream Park. A repeat of the message needs to be spread that such bad behaviour as felling a live park tree and the wanton destruction of public assets will not be tolerated.
This large park between two schools unfortunately has little shade. For some reason the trees planted 20 years ago have been slow to grow and not well positioned. In 2014, years before I was elected, and again during the last term of council, residents made delegations about the need to improve this park due to its inadequate amenities for the large residential catchment area it serves.
I’ve previously messaged senior staff about the concerns related to misdeeds in the park and the level of neighbours' concerns. In exchanges with Oshawa Mayor, Parks staff and DRPS I expressed hope the response to this situation will reassure families that the City cares and is proactive.
Thank you to journalist Tim Kelly with Metroland Media for helping raise awareness of the situation: Here is a link to his article and the picture he took Tuesday evening at Coldstream Park with residents and Councillor Neal at the tree stump. The felled tree is behind them. Other residents watched saying they did not want to spoil the picture, which is fine, but great they were there because this affects us all!
www.durhamregion.com/news/i-was-just-really-sad-to-see-this-residents-fuming-after-healthy-tree-cut-down/article_f6601862-5e77-52e3-ab93-1ab565ad5ff3.html
I am hopeful the good that will come from this report is that residents will report criminal activity without hesitation. Offenders need to know the negative impact from their misdeeds will be not be tolerated, because Oshawans care about their neighbourhoods!
Please make note of the numbers for Durham Region Police non emergency 905 579-1520 and Service Oshawa 905 436-3311. It's worth the time to pick up the phone — reporting is key to preventing bad behaviour incidents from escalating.
The City and the Police track complaints to identify problem area hot spots. Instead of limiting neighbourhood complaints to Facebook, over the fence or around the BBQ, please call it in, or if you'd rather email, it would help to write a quick comment to me [email protected] and [email protected]
City Parks indicated that due to the maturity of the felled tree it will be replaced on a 1 to 3 basis. I wish to thank the Park Ridge area residents for being proactive in speaking to the media and the police! They inspire others with their show of support for Coldstream Park and confidence that their neighbourhood deserves better than this!
www.durhamregion.com/news/i-was-just-really-sad-to-see-this-residents-fuming-after-healthy-tree-cut-down/article_f6601862-5e77-52e3-ab93-1ab565ad5ff3.html
I am hopeful the good that will come from this report is that residents will report criminal activity without hesitation. Offenders need to know the negative impact from their misdeeds will be not be tolerated, because Oshawans care about their neighbourhoods!
Please make note of the numbers for Durham Region Police non emergency 905 579-1520 and Service Oshawa 905 436-3311. It's worth the time to pick up the phone — reporting is key to preventing bad behaviour incidents from escalating.
The City and the Police track complaints to identify problem area hot spots. Instead of limiting neighbourhood complaints to Facebook, over the fence or around the BBQ, please call it in, or if you'd rather email, it would help to write a quick comment to me [email protected] and [email protected]
City Parks indicated that due to the maturity of the felled tree it will be replaced on a 1 to 3 basis. I wish to thank the Park Ridge area residents for being proactive in speaking to the media and the police! They inspire others with their show of support for Coldstream Park and confidence that their neighbourhood deserves better than this!