MPRB serving notices to vacate at homeless encampments in city parks
[KSTP]
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board began serving notices to vacate at homeless encampments in city parks on Monday.
According to a release from the MPRB, notices were served on Monday to 12 tents at Peavey Park and 12 tents at Elliott Park. Notices were also served to 14 tents at Kenwood Park on Tuesday.
The encampments have significant crime and safety incidents, according to the release.
The Elliott Park and Kenwood Park encampments were cleared earlier Wednesday.
More encampments emerging in Minneapolis as Park Board pushes for action
The notices at the three parks do not have a deadline listed and are different than the notices at Powderhorn Park which take an incremental approach. Powderhorn Park has been cleared from 560 tents to an estimated 35 tents.
Park staff are continuing to work to implement the resolution that directs them to reduce the number of parks with temporary encampments to no more than 20 and limit the number of tents per encampment to 25.
“There are currently hundreds of unsheltered people in the park system, and the lack of shelter and housing options is having a devastating impact on those living in parks, the neighborhoods surrounding the parks, and our organization. Park staff are committing significant time and resources to implement the directives of our Board and follow the executive orders of the Governor related to COVID-19 and unsheltered people,” explained Superintendent Al Bangoura. “Our priorities are to address those sites with documented crimes, reduce the number of parks down to no more than 20, and get permits issued for temporary encampments that currently don’t have one. The priority for our state needs to be additional funding for our city and county partners so they can immediately increase available shelter and housing for those experiencing homelessness.”