Leadership staff share how we got here and updates on current encampments, permits
Posted on 7 August, 2020Since the Board of Commissioners unanimously passed Resolution 2020-267, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) staff have been working diligently to implement the directives outlined in the resolution, with a focus on temporary encampment permits; outreach to encampments; and vacating tents from Powderhorn Park, which a month ago had and estimated 560 and today has an estimated 50. At Wednesday’s Board meeting, MPRB leadership staff presented an update on park encampments, including an overview of current encampments, a crime and safety report, and the status of four permitted temporary encampments and 12 parks designated as capable of accommodating temporary encampments. The presentation and superintendent’s remarks, along with other park encampment information, is available at www.minneapolisparks.org/encampments.
In the past week, the MPRB has issued permits for temporary encampments at Lake Harriet, Marshall Terrace Park, The Mall and William Berry Park, with up to 11 tents at Harriet, 15 tents at Marshall Terrace and The Mall, and 25 tents at William Berry. The permit allows permit holders to control who joins and stays at an encampment.
Park staff have also evaluated many parks that already have tents in them and have designated 12 of those parks as capable of accommodating temporary encampments, per the guidelines and restrictions outlined in Resolution 2020-267. Each of the following designated parks can accommodate up to 25 tents or a lower capacity based on the criteria; those marked with an asterisk have reached capacity: *Annie Young Meadow, *Beltrami Park, BF Nelson Park, Boom Island Park, Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, Franklin Steele Park, Lake Nokomis, *Logan Park, *Lyndale Farmstead Park, *Minnehaha Regional Park, *Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and *Riverside Park.
Park staff continue efforts to get encampment permits for these sites. These efforts include outreach and communications to address some misperceptions about permittee responsibilities, due in part to an external, highly organized campaign to discourage encampment organizers from applying for a permit; and addressing tents within these sites that are located in areas that conflict with recreation or natural resources. Building on work at Powderhorn Park, the MPRB is expanding its work to remove encampments without temporary permits or in areas that cannot accommodate a temporary permit. This work requires extensive resources and deliberate action.
“While serving those without shelter is clearly not the role of the Park Board or park staff, we have committed significant energy and resources to providing support to temporary encampments and to doing so in a humane manner,” said Superintendent Al Bangoura. “This is a crisis, and this is an unprecedented role for our agency. We’re working with partners from the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County and are requesting more support and services at park encampments, but we also need the State of Minnesota to provide funding to the city and the county in support of short-term and long-term housing solutions.”
According to Bangoura, it’s important to remember how we got here. “I believe there are many Minneapolis residents who do not understand the impact COVID-19 has had on reducing shelter spaces, and the impact the Governor’s executive orders have had on encampments and the Minneapolis park system.”
COVID-19 has created a health, economic, unemployment and homeless crisis in Minneapolis and across the nation. The “Stay at Home” Executive Order 20-20, which took effect on March 27, prohibited the disbandment of encampments due to the potential risk and spread of COVID-19. Executive Order 20-55, which took effect on May 17, prevents local governments from closing encampments unless there is alternate housing, shelter or encampment space, or unless an encampment has reached a size or status that is a documented threat to public safety. According to Bangoura, many people are aware of the Park Board resolutions related to park refuge space, but do not understand the Board resolutions are rooted in the Governor’s orders.
“Residents think we have more options to remove people without shelter from our parks, but there are very few options currently available for where they can go. A shortage of affordable housing and available shelter space is a critical problem and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later,” explained Bangoura. “For now, staff are following the Governor’s executive order and implementing the directives of Park Board resolutions to reduce the number of parks with temporary encampments to no more than 20; to limit the number of tents per encampment to 25; to issue permits for temporary encampments; and to address safety concerns. I received clear direction from the Board Wednesday night that staff are to continue to implement the resolution and do so as quickly as our resources allow.”
The MPRB continues to seek assistance from city, county and state partners who are experts in providing services, shelter and housing to people experiencing homelessness. Resolution 2020-267 calls for those in temporary park encampments to have accommodations before cold weather arrives.
Stay informed and receive future updates
- Visit www.minneapolisparks.org/encampments for up-to-date information, and additional details about the MPRB’s response to encampments in parks. This web page includes Park Board resolutions, MPRB staff presentations, news releases, approved permits for temporary encampments, and a list of parks designated as capable of accommodating encampments.
- Subscribe to news updates for the park district where you live or other districts of interest.