DUP lord mayor of Belfast Frank McCoubrey has said the city's parks are for everyone and "sectarianism has no place in our city".
The new mayor took to Twitter yesterday to offer support following attempts by loyalists to force nationalists from training at Grove playing fields.
Earlier this month an anti-GAA banner appeared at the north Belfast park as well as graffiti, which are being treated by police as a hate incident.
In the following days soccer players who were wearing Celtic and GAA tops while training at the park were intimidated out by a group of men gathered at the pitches.
The incidents have been widely criticised by nationalists including Sinn Féin MP John Finucane and the SDLP, including deputy mayor Paul McCusker.
Last night Mr McCoubrey reiterated their view that parks and playing fields in the city are "shared spaces" for all.
“As lord mayor, I would like to reiterate that our parks and playing fields are shared spaces for everyone to enjoy," he tweeted.
“Sectarianism has no place in our city and I am committed to working with my fellow councillors, the PSNI and community representatives, to ensure there will be no repeat of the incidents we have witnessed in north Belfast in recent days.”
Police meanwhile are appealing for information following a sectarian attack in the Westland Drive area of north Belfast on Saturday.
Inspector Paul Noble said: “Just before 7pm on Saturday evening, police received a report that a male had been assaulted by a group of up to ten young people and subjected to sectarian abuse.
"A fence panel of a property was damaged and a number of doors to other properties kicked during the incident.
“The group of young people, who are described as all wearing dark coloured tops and shorts, made off in the direction of the Cavehill and Cliftonville Roads.
“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident, which is being treated as a sectarian hate crime."
The police officer said the PSNI would "continue to pay particular attention to the area with regular patrols and will continue to liaise with partner agencies and local representatives".
Appealing to parents and guardians to know the whereabouts of their teenagers and young people he added: “In recent weeks, police have responded to a range of criminal, anti-social and sectarian incidents at locations across north Belfast.
“Some young people are congregating in public areas and are becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, drinking, abusing other substances, fighting and incidents of criminal damage.
“Those young people must understand that engaging in anti-social behaviour is wrong and must stop.
"People have a right to live in peace and to feel safe in their communities. Police will continue to patrol our parks and public areas, with support from our TSG and dog section colleagues and continue to deploy our evidence gathering vehicles to identify those involved.
“Young people need to understand the dangers of getting involved in behaviour which could result in them possibly injuring themselves or others, or ultimately ending up with a criminal record.”
