Public presses commission on locked park restrooms; commission to seek parks-department timeline

Public commenters at the New Brunswick Parks and Gardens Commission meeting pressed commissioners to pursue clearer public access to park restrooms and to publicize any hours when facilities are open. The commission agreed to follow up with the parks department and seek a timeline for reopening or otherwise providing restroom access.

A community member identified herself as Briar and said she and members of a local campaign were focused on improving conditions for unhoused people and other park users. Briar said a contact, whom she identified as Keith Jones II, had told her that his department does not manage parks personnel or facilities; she asked commissioners whether the bathrooms could at least be opened during set hours. "I just want to know if there was any way we could get those bathrooms, like, I guess, maybe functional ... accessible," Briar said.

Commissioners and public members described recurring logistical issues: staffing to unlock and lock facilities, safety and security concerns, vandalism or damage to bathroom structures, and budget constraints for repairs and staffing. Commissioner Denise said the commission has discussed portable toilets (porta-potties) as an interim solution where permanent facilities cannot be staffed. Commission member Josh Best said he would contact the parks department and asked staff to provide an update at the March meeting; "I've actually added that to the meeting agenda for March," he said.

Members reported that some facilities were open at times in the past (one participant said Feaster Park bathrooms had been open during the fall), but commissioners said the parks department had recently left many restrooms closed pending decisions about operations and budget. A staff member name-checked in discussion (Sal) as the parks supervisor who handles tree and park maintenance; commissioners said the administration filters incoming reports from the city's "Report It" app to the appropriate department.

On Baker Park, commissioners noted the city received a grant for renovations and that some demolition work had been completed, but multiple participants said construction start and completion dates were not specified in the meeting. Commissioners said they will ask Sal or another parks representative to prepare a brief update for the March meeting and will report back to the public.

The commission agreed to send an email to the parks department this week requesting a timeline and clarification on restroom operations; if the parks department indicates no near-term reopening is planned, the commission said it will consider advising the city on limited hours or other mitigation steps.

No formal vote on restroom policy or Baker Park construction timing was taken; the commission’s next meeting will include follow-up reports from city staff.