A year after Cochrane Pond Park was shut down over “life-safety issues,” charges against the owners continue to make their way through the courts.

The park is leased from the province by a private company owned by Clifford Petten, but his son Jeff has been appearing on his behalf to face 50 alleged breaches of the City of St. John’s Act.

Issues include everything from risk of fire and electrocution, to overflowing garbage, septic concerns, as well as old campers and trailers serving as dangerous, makeshift shelters.

At least one of the campers was being used as a crude drug lab, which was raided by police in 2024, resulting in the largest ever seizure of fentanyl in the province.

The case against the Pettens was called in provincial court Wednesday, where it was learned the parties are waiting for inspections of the park to be carried out.

Court was told inspectors with the city and province have been unable to access the park due to the amount of snow still on the ground.

An update on the inspections is expected when the case is called again on May 27th.