The papal visit of John Paul II in June 1982, which attracted a congregation of approximately 250,000, was the largest recorded gathering in the history of the city. Despite this, the visit was the cause of some disquiet. The Roman Catholic Church had paid for the drainage of some parkland close to Mosspark Boulevard which was prone to flooding, in order to increase the number able to attend. Six trees were also removed to improve the view of a hill that housed the dais where the Pope was to celebrate Mass. Protesters chained themselves to the trees to prevent this.