The 707 Community Park stretches out on Gabriola Island's west side and many parts are inaccessible by firefighters. (Jim Wightman)

By Spencer Sterritt

no camping

Gabriola Island’s largest park temporarily closed to the homeless

Apr 30, 2020 | 6:06 AM

NANAIMO — A massive park on Gabriola Island’s west side is temporarily exempt from a list of parks where those experiencing homelessness can camp.

Regional District of Nanaimo directors voted in favour of removing the 707 Community Park from a recently implement list of locations acceptable for the homeless to sleep overnight in. The list is part of a bylaw the RDN approved in late February, 2020 to bring the region in line with a Supreme Court of Canada ruling about overnight sheltering.

Gabriola Island director Vanessa Craig brought forward the motion, citing concerns about fire risk in the park and a lack of access for the Island’s volunteer fire department.

“We all know the issue of homelessness is only increasing in severity,” she told directors during the Tuesday, April 28 meeting. “Though we don’t have a problem we’ve identified now, I don’t believe waiting until we’ve had an issue before we work to address it.”

District staff will now also lead an assessment of the fire risk in the park and recommend how to remediate any issues.

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There are three other Gabriola Island parks exempt from the bylaw allowing those living rough to sleep in parks.

Much of the discussion around the virtual table was whether such a temporary moratorium on camping in the park was necessary.

“Completing a risk assessment seems like quite an undertaking,” director and Nanaimo councillor Erin Hemmens said. “It seems like a lot of work for a park that may or may not be appropriate for this purpose.”

Director and Parksville mayor Ed Mayne cautioned against an over-reaction.

“”We’re talking about closing the park down to the public…and I heard the whole thing is based on one homeless camper in the park. It seems like we’re spending a whole bunch of time on this one situation.”

RDN staff noted there was one complaint about homeless camping in the 707 Community Park in the last four years.

Over 50 letters were sent in to the RDN from Gabriola residents supporting the ban on homeless people camping in the park. Many indicated they didn’t want camping of any kind in the park.

Four letters were received opposed to the motion.

Given the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and a reduction in resources, RDN staff said the temporary closure of the 707 Community Park would be in place throughout the summer and the assessment would likely be complete next year.

Five of the eighteen directors, Don Bonner, Ed Mayne, Leanne Salter, Lehann Wallace and Maureen Young, voted against the motion.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit