HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem A: Homeless Camping in Parks and Open Spaces
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UGENE ITY OUNCIL
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Work Session: Homeless Camping in Parks and Open Spaces
Meeting Date: April 24, 2013 Agenda Item Number: A
Department: Public Works Parks and Open Spaces Contact: Mark Schoening
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-4930
ISSUE STATEMENT
This item is in response to council direction to hold a work session to discuss homeless camping in
the City’s parks and open spaces.
BACKGROUND
The Parks and Open Space (POS) Division manages 78 community and neighborhood parks and
over 3,000 acres of open space. Many of the open space areas have one or more of the following
overlay zones to protect sensitive habitat and water quality – Waterside Protection, Water Quality,
Wetland Buffer, and Water Resources Conservation. The POS Division manages the City’s parks
and open spaces for the benefit and enjoyment of the community with a focus on keeping parks
and open spaces –“Safe, Clean, & Green.”
The City’s parks and open spaces have not been developed to accommodate camping and lack the
level of services typically associated with a developed campground – water and wastewater
services, garbage pickup, and security. In addition, the financial cost of managing the existing level
of camping within parks and open spaces is substantial.
Homeless camps have a significant negative impact to parks and open spaces and require
substantial resources to mitigate the impacts. Some of the impacts to the physical environment on
parks and open spaces include the accumulation of garbage, human waste, and hazardous waste;
degradation of water quality; and destruction of sensitive habitat. Homeless camps also affect the
use of parks and open spaces. Certain open space areas and parks have seen a significant decline
in use because of the presence of homeless camps. In addition, some volunteer groups are
unwilling to work in certain parks and open space areas.
The POS Division goals in managing homeless camps in the City’s parks and open spaces is to
assure the safety of park users and City staff, minimize the impacts to parks and open space
resources and to preclude the establishment of semi-permanent camps.
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The critical elements of this management strategy include the following:
Eugene Code 4.815 Prohibited Camping – This section of the Eugene Code defines camping
and campsites and prohibits camping in parks and open spaces and other publicly owned
property.
Park and Open Space Rules – The rules are adopted administratively and include
provisions that establish the hours that parks and open spaces are closed and prohibits the
setting up or constructing of temporary structures or enclosures.
Parks and Open Space Division Procedure for Illegal Campsite Posting and Clean-Up – This
procedure was developed subsequent to the Ninth Circuit Court decision and is consistent
with the decision and with Oregon Revised Statutes. The procedures guide Parks and Open
Space Division staff and contractors on the posting and clean-up of campsites and the
storage and retrieval of personal property collected during clean-up operations.
Contract with Lane County Sheriff’s Work Crew – The Sheriff’s work crew is the primary
resource used to dismantle and clean up camps found within parks and open spaces.
Partnership with Eugene Police Department – The Police Department provides support to
Parks and Open Space staff during clean-up operations when there is a risk to the personal
safety of staff from hostile individuals or aggressive dogs occupying camps scheduled for
clean-up.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
Eugene Code 4.815 Prohibited Camping
(2) It is found and declared that:
(a) From time to time persons establish campsites on sidewalks, public rights-of way,
under bridges, and so forth;
(b) Such persons, by such actions create unsafe and unsanitary living conditions which
pose a threat to the peace, health and safety of themselves and the community; and,
(c) The enactment of this provision is necessary to protect the peace, health and safety
of the city and its inhabitants.
(3) No person shall camp in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right-of-way,
park or any other publicly-owned property or under any bridge or viaduct, unless
otherwise specifically authorized by this code or by declaration of the Mayor in emergency
circumstances.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
Staff is presenting information requested by the council.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
Alternatives and recommendations will be provided next week and during the work session.
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SUGGESTED MOTION
There is no suggested motion.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Mark Schoening, Acting Parks and Open Space Director
Telephone: 541-682-4930
Staff E-Mail: mark.a.schoening@ci.eugene.or.us
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