More than 60 Royal City residents gathered in Queen's Park to join together for a walk through the park Wednesday night.
The gathering - dubbed Take the Dark out of Queen's Park by local resident Tony Antonias - was held in response to an assault that took place in the park on Jan. 4. New Westminster resident Lisa McIntosh was walking to work at the police station when two men hit her over the head and demanded her belongings; her screams frightened off the two suspects, but she required nine stitches for the head laceration.
Queen's Park resident Tamara Hunter told the residents taking part in the walk that it was meant to accomplish three things: to show support for McIntosh; to let the criminals know that the park belongs to the citizens and not to criminals - and residents aren't staying away; and to bring attention to the city of the need for better lighting in Queen's Park.
Resident Susan Wandell said it's estimated more than 60 people and about eight dogs attended the walk.
"Even some members from Boy Scouts were there with incredible lanterns with fire starters inside them," she wrote in an email to The Record. "Light sticks were provided for walkers on a first come/first serve basis - mostly for kids.
McIntosh is the daughter of Coun. Betty McIntosh and retired New Westminster police officer Ken McIntosh, who attended the walk. Betty McIntosh told residents that lighting improvements are already in the works for Queen's Park and a master planning process will get underway for the park in the spring, and people will be able to have input into that plan.
Wandell said the residents walked the Millennium Trail together, which took about 25 minutes.
