Some Highbridge residents say part of a neighborhood park was closed without warning.

Clifford Rivera says an area of Bridge Park on University Avenue has been closed to parkgoers for more than a year. Before being fenced off, he says the sitting area was a popular spot to gather and relax with fellow neighbors.

Without warning, Rivera says a statue was removed, a fence was erected and chains were placed on the gates.

"We are just curious what is going to happen to this park," Rivera says. "How long is it going to take to renovate it, because people are hanging out in front of buildings and it's disrupting the neighborhood."

Other residents say they would like to see the property maintained until it's used again.

"It's a blight on the community, it's an eyesore, it brings the community down," one person said.

Rivera says he has called the city's Parks Department to no avail.

The Parks Department tells News 12 that the area was closed for safety reasons stemming from vandalism and that the department is in the process of renovating the property to reopen it to the community.