Saying Stadacona Park has become a no-go zone for local residents and the de facto overflow camping area for Pandora Avenue, the Friends of Stadacona Park have called on the city to prohibit camping in the area.
“Our healthy, diverse green space the community depends on is now an unwelcoming and unsafe place avoided by the community,” said Michael Barr, spokesman for the group.
Barr said the group supports efforts to address the homeless problem and rejects criticism that residents are in any way anti-homeless.
But he said enough is enough when it comes to the park, bordered by Pandora Avenue, Begbie Street and Belmont Avenue. Barr said what had been a playground, walking area and spot for relaxation is now home to regular confrontation, people sleeping under playground equipment and sport courts being used as laundry lines.
On Thursday night, Barr presented council with a 1,260-signature petition asking for the amendment of the City of Victoria Parks Regulation Bylaw to add Stadacona Park to the list of parks prohibited for sheltering.
During pandemic restrictions, the city allowed all-day camping, but that was supposed to end earlier this year. The existing bylaw allows tents in public parks between 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Barr told council that sheltering in the park continues as an all-day affair.
“The park is no longer a safe greenspace for the residents,” he said. “We are simply asking you uphold your own City of Victoria park vision, specifically a place that supports health and wellness for all.”
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