As Napanee, Ont., grapples with how to handle the growing issue of tents in its public parks, some town officials and residents are growing impatient with what they see as the slow pace of a new parks bylaw and encampment protocol.
The town is among many smaller communities across Canada wrestling with what was historically a big city problem, amid a shortage of affordable housing and shelter space.
“What we’re trying to do is find the fairest path forward and create a predictable way to manage the encampment issue,” CAO Matthew Grant said during an interview with CBC Ottawa’s All In A Day.
Following roughly a month of consultation and public forums, however, councillors were presented only with a staff report and survey results during their meeting Tuesday night — not a draft bylaw.
“I’m very disappointed that we don’t have a bylaw,” said Ward 4 representative Bob Norrie. “People are frustrated and we have to answer to them now. There’s going to be no enforcement. There’s no bylaw yet and they’ve had it.”
Norrie said his constituents have been looking forward to the town taking action on encampments.
“They’re pissed off and we haven’t helped them here. Just a survey,” he said.
550 responded to survey
The online survey gathered input from more than 550 respondents, which staff described as one of the “most significant consultation responses” to date.
Of those, just over one-quarter said they have a home or business near an encampment, and 17 per cent said either they or someone they know are homeless or have experienced homelessness.
A report prepared by the region’s social services committee in May found that during its 2023-2024 season the Morningstar Mission’s warming shelter in Napanee served 116 individuals.
Grant told CBC the number of tents in the community has fluctuated from five to about 20, spread throughout the town’s core.
10:54Napanee exploring encampment protocol following public consultation
We speak to the town’s chief administrative officer.
The report considered the survey responses and offered recommendations, including that Napanee Conservation Park be considered a “sensitive” zone where encampments aren’t permitted.
But some councillors expressed concern that blocking access to one park will just push the tents to other sites, including other parks.
“We’re kind of throwing Springside Park away,” said Ward 5’s Bill Martin, referring to another nearby park.
Draft bylaw expected Nov. 12
Grant said it’s a “reasonable assumption” that encampments will migrate to other areas, but noted Conservation Park, which has many amenities for children, is the primary source of complaints.
That featured in another suggestion: that the creation of any “buffer zones” should prioritize places where kids gather including schools, playgrounds and daycares.
The report calls for parks bylaw and encampment protocol to limit the maximum number of tents in a single location to three. It also recommends sharps containers for needle disposal, more garbage cans and portable toilets.
Grant told CBC staff are considering 10 to 15 more garbage containers downtown, eight to 10 portable washrooms and around three sharps containers.
He said the next step is to update the town’s bylaw and encampment protocol based on the public feedback, with the hope of bringing it back before council for consideration during its next meeting Nov. 12.