Some people living near a park in the heart of James Bay want the city to add it to a list of 23 where sheltering is banned.
Coun. Stephen Andrew brought forward a motion to councillors Thursday recommending that the city explore the feasibility of prohibiting sheltering in Irving Park. The park, at the corner of Menzies and Michigan streets, has a playground and is next to a seniors centre.
Andrew said he’s hearing from residents close to the park who are worried “about some of the social issues around the park and concerned for their safety.”
Sheltering is currently allowed in the park from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., but residents say some tents remain beyond 7 a.m., and they’re wondering why a bylaw requiring people to pack up in the morning isn’t being enforced, Andrew said.
“They just feel that they’re no better off than they were last year. They feel there needs to be a reprieve,” he said.
Marg Gardiner, president of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association, said she is not aware of any attacks in the park, but many are avoiding it because they’re afraid the people living in tents may be unpredictable.
Councillors, including Andrew, voted to defer a decision on whether to ask staff to look at the implications of closing the park to the city’s next triannual update in February.
Coun. Ben Isitt said it’s problematic to look at parks on a one-off basis, because there are “obvious benefits” for people living near parks to request a sheltering ban.
“But the parks where sheltering is still permitted overnight provide a very essential role in the well-being of unhoused individuals, and I think city-wide holistic approaches are needed.”
Andrew suggested there are people who have access to an inside space but don’t sleep there.
“We know, speaking to the providers who are doing this work, there is a significant number of people who are choosing not to avail themselves of the shelter spaces,” he said.
Helps disagreed with the notion that there is enough space inside for everyone who is unhoused in the city, saying she speaks to shelter providers regularly. “Everything is full. There is nowhere to be inside at night, but maybe that will change by the next triannual update.”
Grant McKenzie, communications director for Our Place Society, said because the province and city have housed hundreds of people during the pandemic, those who remain outside tend to be people with the most complex needs who are hardest to house. The charity’s 55 shelter beds have been full every night with people on waiting lists since colder weather started around September.
Sheltering is prohibited in 23 city parks, including Beacon Hill Park, Cecelia Ravine and Central Park. Tents are allowed overnight in other areas.
