To the editor,
Re: Bylaw eases rules around taking shelter in city parks, March 14.
Just when we thought the new council might keep Nanaimo out negative headlines, along comes the completely bonkers scheme to allow the homeless to camp overnight in Bowen Park.
Council seems to think it’s been pretty meticulous with guidelines: tents down during the day, distance from recreational facilities, etc, etc.
Let’s start with the designation ‘homeless.’ Will campers be asked to show their homeless card? If not, why would young people pay for a campground? Especially if Bowen Park is ‘where it’s happening.’
Bowen is the jewel in the centre of this town. It isn’t wilderness of course but for young children taken there by parents and teaches it’s a brief escape from urban life.
It is a quiet, beautiful place, it shouldn’t be turned into Woodstock on the Millstone.
RELATED: New City of Nanaimo bylaw eases rules around camping in parks
One of council’s restrictions on tent location is distance from washrooms. Oh, washrooms, aren’t those closed at night, along with, normally, the park? So if there is going to be overnight camping will they be open at night?
Who is supposed to enforce the city’s list of restrictions? Is the RCMP supposed to go around with a tape measure to check on all these distances? Was the RCMP consulted?
Every campground has management and security to make sure that the facility can be enjoyed by families.
Who will manage this one?
Nick Kelly, Nanaimo
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