Users of Delta's Watershed Park are upset that the city has capped three natural springs along the park's border to Highway 91.

City engineers put stone caps on the springs last week after council decided to close public access. Council's concern is based on water quality and users crossing train tracks near Highway 91 to access the springs.

The water is not tested for contaminants and Delta says it could be liable if someone gets sick or is hit by a train.

The springs at Watershed Park have been a point of contention since similar springs located at 64th Avenue were shut down due to traffic concerns. People were not sensible about how they parked and how they drove away, said Coun. Sylvia Bishop.

"So, people created the problem of access by their irresponsible driving and parking."

This city's latest action, according to Bishop, is another case of irresponsible people making an access issue into a safety issue.

But resident Sherry Strong said constituents should have been consulted.

Strong has created a Facebook group called Save the Watershed Park's Water and has started an online petition.

"We want more residents to know that they actually have some recourse to protest," she said, adding that Delta's argument about liability doesn't carry water.

"They are talking about liability issues, but if you eat snow in that park does that mean that the council is liable for you getting sick from eating snow?"

But Mayor Lois Jackson says the city needed to act.

"If there was a question of water safety and human safety relative to the water, that isn't a public issue, we just have to take action," said Jackson.