Point Edward council is taking proactive measures to ensure homeless encampments don't pop up in the village's parks.
"A Bylaw Respecting Public Parks" was passed during its most recent meeting.
Among other measures, parks and their adjacent parking lots, will now be closed to the public between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. daily.
The change aligns with the village's overnight street parking bylaw.
The rules were developed after a man set up a tent at Waterfront Park and slept overnight in the pavilion "while charging his e-bike and possibly his cellphone."
When the village called Lambton OPP, they were informed that officers couldn't do anything about the situation unless a bylaw existed.
Council had initially debated closing the parks at midnight, but reconsidered.
Councillor Tim Mondoux said he doesn't feel the passed bylaw has enough weight.
"Why do people need to be in a park after midnight? They don't," said Mondoux. "We're talking about gangs, we're talking about kids being mischievous and nuisances, everything else. If you're saying you want to walk your dog, then don't walk it through a park. Like I said, nothing good happens after midnight."
Councillor Arianna Noctor also voted against the motion.
Mayor Bev Hand said she doesn't want to be too prohibitive right now.
"I see a lot of fishermen going down there at that hour," said Hand. "They park near my house by the LAWSS plant there and I think (midnight) would be too restrictive because I don't see a problem right now."
Deputy Mayor Greg Grimes agreed.
"Right now, the parks are open 24 hours," said Grimes. "We're just closing this loophole to deal with other issues as well. I think the closure from 2 a.m. until 5 a.m. is reasonable. I've had some good stuff happen after midnight in my life."
Several other rules were also implemented surrounding vehicles, parking, maintenance, animals, alcohol, fishing, golf, firearms, bathing, and the issuing of athletic permits.
The full bylaw is available on the Village of Point Edward's website.
