Two years ago, the City of Toronto spent more than $1.5 million to rejuvenate Barbara Hall Park — an extensive renovation that included the installation of a new plaza, seating area and stage, complete with an elaborate lighting system.

But for some of its neighbours, the beautification project has done little to address the park’s ugly side: rising violence, drug abuse and vandalism.

“It’s getting out of control,” said Steve Dawson, owner of Dudley Hardware on Church St., located just a few metres from the park.

“More so than ever there’s been an increase in violence, property theft, destruction of property and bullying of store merchants,” Dawson said. “It’s escalated to a point where I don’t feel safe.”

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam said area residents have contacted her office with similar complaints.

“Absolutely, it’s a legitimate concern,” Wong-Tam said, “We’re hearing these things as well.”

“When I speak to the Toronto police, they say yes they do hear about it,” she added, but there is no data to support a “dramatic increase” in crime.

Wong-Tam suggested neighbours fail to report crime to police when they see it.

Even a few of the park’s regulars — some the subject of residents’ unease — have noticed a problem.

A man who identified himself as Tony A. said he likes to hang out in Barbara Hall Park to “smoke joints, have a few beers and look at chicks.”

But for Tony, the park has grown increasingly inhospitable. He said violence is more frequent and drug use more advanced, shifting from cannabis to crystal meth and crack cocaine.

“Some people have a good reason to feel unsafe,” he said.

A midday visit to the park — in the heart of the Church-Wellesley Village — found discarded empties and needle caps, random shouts and fights among its inhabitants.

“It can be very scary,” said Gardenia Flores, who has lived in the area for more than 10 years and makes a point of regularly visiting the park.

“There are moments when I’m sitting in the park and I think ‘OK, maybe it’s time to go in,’” said Flores, who has seen fights break out and people openly using drugs.

“I have sat in the park and someone on the bench next to me is smoking crack,” she said.

Merchants say the current misuse of the park is hurting local business.

“I think people are more afraid to come shop here,” said Claire McLeod, owner of Ladybug Florist, which is right beside the park.

McLeod explained that a customer recently told her she would not return, after being antagonized by some park inhabitants.

“I don’t blame her,” she said.

Faced with rising theft at their stores, both McLeod and Dawson say they now ensure that at least two employees are working at all times.

Staff “just don’t feel safe,” Dawson said.

Such concerns were what prompted the park’s renovation back in 2014, explained Wong-Tam. There was a lot of anti-social behaviour,” she said. As a result, “people stopped coming in and stopped using the park.”

In conjunction with the city, Wong-Tam spearheaded the renovation project, consulting with neighbourhood groups about ways to enhance both the safety and accessibility of the park.

Upon completion, the park — formerly Cawthra Square Park — was renamed after Barbara Hall, former mayor of Toronto and Ontario Human Rights Chief Commissioner.

But even with a new face, the park is still plagued by old problems.

“Ironically enough, it actually got worse,” said Wong-Tam.

The concerns raise questions about the ownership and use of public space, particularly in urban areas. Neighbours insist the park should be open to everyone, but say lately it's become a magnet for a group of people who harass others and openly abuse drugs and alcohol.

“I’m not interested in scrubbing the park clean so only middle-class users have access to the park. That’s not the city I live in,” said Wong-Tam.

“We live downtown so there are always going to be different elements and different kinds of people,” said Flores, “I’m not saying that it should be horribly gentrified or anything … there just needs to be a better sort of balance.”

The park should welcome the whole community, McLeod added, but “the community is not just the needy; the community is everybody.”

Some of the residents say problems have been aggravated by clients of The 519, a community centre in the middle of the park, which provides a variety of programs, predominantly for members of the LGBTQ community.

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The centre has “a complacency with the activities that happen in the building and around the building,” Dawson said. “It seems to be a magnet for people.”

That view is disputed by staff of The 519, which has provided community services in the area since 1975.

“I don’t think our presence is causing the problem,” said Maura Lawless, executive director of The 519.

“The reality is that people are homeless in the City of Toronto,” said Lawless. “Parks are, at times, the place where that is animated.”

At Barbara Hall Park, “the sense of community safety is not different than a number of downtown parks,” she said. Still, Lawless said The 519 is actively seeking to better integrate communities into these spaces, including Barbara Hall Park and the nearby Moss Park.

“We think it’s important to animate community parks and public parks,” said Lawless. “From our experience, it is about diversifying use.”

Despite contention as to the problem’s cause and scope, there seems to be general agreement with respect to a solution.

“We need people to come out and use these spaces,” said Wong-Tam. “It needs to be community-led responses.”

Whether it’s movie nights, yoga or group activity classes, Wong-Tam said residents must foster an active presence the park.

“If you give up that space, then you’re going to have more of one type of user than another,” she said. Residents must “champion their own park.”

Toronto police did not return repeated requests for comment on residents’ concerns regarding safety in and around the park.

“We’re working on different strategies … so that more of a positive presence is felt in the park,” said Kelly Kyle, chairperson of the Church-Wellesley Business Improvement Area.

The community has to “use it or lose it,” added Flores.

Indeed, in the two areas of the space with a regular community presence — a children’s play area and a dog park — park users are not particularly concerned.

“We’ve never had issues,” said Ali Kazmi, who comes to the children’s area daily with his son. “When you live downtown,” this is what you expect, he said.

“I’ve never felt unsafe,” said Eliza Gamble, who also visits the children’s area regularly with her two kids, although, she admits, “I’ve had Adaline pick up a crack pipe once,” referring to her 2-year-old daughter.

Recently, relevant stakeholders seem to have taken note of residents’ concerns, launching initiatives to reclaim Barbara Hall Park. Just this past week, the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association, BIA, and The 519 met with Wong-Tam and her staff to address safety issues.

Led by the BIA, a free lunchtime music series has begun in the park, which Dawson calls a positive effort “to take back our public spaces.”

Ultimately, residents hope the park can become an open, welcoming space, reflective of the Church-Wellesley Village.

“This is such a great neighbourhood… I’ve just had enough,” said Dawson.

“We’re all members of the community,” Flores added. “The only real solution is co-existence.”