Police elected to close Allan Yorke Park the evening of July 30 after 50 to 60 subjects gathered for what appeared to be a fight about to occur.

According to Officer Terry Carter, the police department received “a lot” of 911 calls from park visitors throughout the day and into the evening about groups of teens massing for a potential fight.

According to Carter, the teens were mostly from out of town and appeared to be involved in gang activity.

Around 7:30 p.m. police were called about a group of boys who had previously been arrested and trespassed from the park and were again running from police toward nearby woods.

According to a police report, officers performed a search of the woods and located three teens wearing black backpacks who appeared to be sweating and out of breath.

After receiving consent to search the packs, police found a glass pipe with burnt marijuana residue in it as well as a can of an energy drink that contains alcohol.

The owner of the bag was arrested and charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol and unlawful possession of marijuana. The teen was released to his mother and advised that a court summons would be sent through the mail.

Later in the evening, police were again called to the park about further issues with teenagers, including, according to a dispatch report, threats of assault, trespassing and knives.

Cater said Sgt. Tom Longtine made the decision to close the park about 9:30 p.m because of the dangers to other park guests.

“It was just a problem already,” Carter said, adding that the park usually closes at dusk anyway. “It was heading toward dusk.”

Carter said most parkgoers were supportive and understanding of the police shutting things down early.

Carter said it has been several years since police had to close the park early.