No More Barbecues at Noorderplantsoen —Residents Complain About Nuisance
No More Barbecues at Noorderplantsoen —Residents Complain About Nuisance
Yesterday, May 22, the Groningen city council held a special consultation session to address the growing concerns and complaints surrounding the nuisance in the Noorderplantsoen Park. Residents living around the area were given a space to voice their complaints and suggestions to the council members.
The Noorderplantsoen has been a topic of heated discussions, prompting political parties such as Party for the North, SP, Christian Union, and City Party 100% for Groningen to place it on the council's agenda. These parties highlighted that the park is "at the centre of a growing dissatisfaction and lack of clarity among local residents and users." The primary complaints revolve around disturbances caused by loudspeakers, alcohol consumption, barbecues, and noisy boot camps.
Key Issues Discussed
Alcohol Ban
Residents' organizations from neighbourhoods like Hortus, Ebbinge, Oranjebuurt, and Noorderplantsoen have been vocal about their concerns. They insist on banning loudspeakers, strictly enforcing the alcohol ban, prohibiting barbecues, and reducing noise pollution from boot camps. Additionally, local residents have proposed to assign park rangers to prevent future disturbances.
Off-Leash Dog Route
Another issue brought up by the four parties is the confusion regarding the replacement of baskets in the Noorderplantsoen after the Noorderzon event. Moreover, local residents are experiencing problems with stray dogs along the park's off-leash route, adding to the overall nuisance.
The Consultation Session
The consultation session was held from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM, allowing local residents and organizations to present their stories and concerns. The session was accessible to the public from the gallery in the council chamber of the city hall and via live streaming on the city council website. Following the presentations by the six speakers, a discussion ensued between the speakers and the council members.
Local residents expressed a strong desire for a complete ban on barbecues and music in the park, citing that the nuisance has become increasingly severe and is affecting the quality of life in the area.
Next Steps
The council will return to this discussion, with a formal opinion-forming session scheduled for Wednesday, May 29th, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This session will address several key points:
The extent of the nuisance in the Noorderplantsoen
Potential measures to combat the nuisance
Possible support for residents' organizations to address these issues
Before this, the council members will review the input gathered during the consultation session to inform their discussions and decisions in the upcoming debate.