6/5/08
AT least half of Sydney’s Hyde Park will be closed for up to three months after World Youth Day to repair damage from thousands of Catholic pilgrims treading on the turf. The NSW government will pay at least $100,000 to rehabilitate the northern half of the park and the British Lawn, which will be used as a security clearance zone for pilgrims waiting to enter St Mary’s Cathedral. Up to 225,000 pilgrims are expected to converge on the city as part of the six-day Catholic festival, commencing on July 15 and culminating with a visit by Pope Benedict XVI. A report to the City of Sydney’s finance committee, and obtained by Fairfax newspapers, also states most of Hyde Park north will be inaccessible for normal activities during the festival.
See; http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23652709-26103,00.html
Tags: Australia, Christianity, Environment