Those with a yen to visit White Rock waterfront parks in the wee hours of the morning may be out of luck come April 15.

That鈥檚 when city council is scheduled to give final adoption to parks regulation bylaw amendments that would close the parks between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. and establish 鈥榣oitering/remaining鈥� in a designated park as a finable offence.

The move may capture early morning walkers or joggers, or camera enthusiasts seeking dawn shots, but is actually intended to discourage more nefarious intent.

Affected will be the promenade, the pier, Bayview Park (at the furthest west stretch of the West Beach waterfront), Memorial Park (near the pier and museum) and Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles Memorial Plaza on East Beach.

At the March 25 meeting council gave first, second and third readings to the bylaw amendments, which a written report from engineering manager Corinne Hayer and a verbal report from engineering and municipal operations director Jim Gordon said are driven by a desire to protect 鈥渢he safety and integrity of the community.鈥�

鈥淭here have been concerns about noise disturbance, incidents of violence and vandalism along the waterfront after the nearby restaurants close,鈥� Gordon told council.

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In mitigation of these concerns, he said, staff recommend closing the parks to pedestrians during those hours, he said.

If adopted, fines will be set at $100 for the first offence and $250 for second and subsequent offences. Another amendment to the city鈥檚 ticketing bylaw, also scheduled for adoption April 15, gives RCMP officers enforcement responsibility for this and similar bylaw infractions.

Gordon said staff worked with the city solicitor in drafting the amendments.

鈥淚 should note that we cannot put the same regulations in all of our parks 鈥� on the solicitor鈥檚 advice we have to have some parks that are not closed overnight.鈥�

The reports were received 鈥� and first, second and third readings were given 鈥� unanimously by council members.