Why did city hall choose these 15 parks where homeless encampments are restricted?
Not permitted to set up tents in more than a dozen core area parks, some Londoners are choosing riskier locations on steep riverbanks and in wooded areas.
The removal of encampments from city parks has become more compassionate following August’s hunger strike by The Forgotten 519 outside city hall, but the settlement agreement included listing a small number of parks where encampments are restricted.
“I’ve been moved three times,” explained Mina, who has been living unsheltered for three months. “They make you take your tent down every single day, so it’s not really that compassionate.”
The list of parks where “pro-active enforcement” occurs based on public usage and safety include:
- Boyle Park
- Campbell’s Park
- CNRA Park
- Gibbons Park
- Harris Park
- Ivey Park/Peace Park
- Lorne Ave Park
- McMahen Park
- Piccadilly Park
- Richard B. Harrison Park
- Queens Park
- Springbank Park
- Thames Park
- Wellington Valley Park
- Victoria Park
Civic administration adds that just 15 of London’s 546 municipal parks are on the list.
14 of the 15 restricted parks are clustered around London, Ont.'s downtown core area. (CTV)
However, plotting the locations on a map reveals that all of the restricted parks, except Springbank Park, are clustered around the core area, including downtown London, Old East Village and SOHO neighbourhoods.
However, the core area also contains many of the social services and agencies that serve Londoners experiencing homelessness.
That push-pull has some people are choosing riskier locations in the core for their tents and makeshift shelters, including steep riverbanks and floodplains.
Mina believes it is unsafe to be in remote locations not on the restricted park list, and said, “So you are not alone, all by yourself out here. There’s no lighting out here and it’s completely dark at night.”
A request by CTV News London to interview city officials about choosing specific core-area parks to be on the list was redirected to London Cares — an agency that offers outreach to people living in encampments.
“I can’t explain specifically why the city chose the [parks on the list],” said Anne Armstrong, executive director of London Cares. “I do know there is high public activity in some of those parks. We want to be concerned about everyone’s safety.”
Earlier this month, civic administration admitted that the 400 spots in this year’s Winter Response to Homelessness wouldn’t be enough to help everyone living unsheltered.
Armstrong said an “integrated outreach team” could bring services to people anywhere in the city and offer advice about risky locations.
“We would actively work with someone who is in a risky location. Make suggestions, ‘Hey, why don’t you shift over here and we get you connected to service,’” Armstrong said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.