[busybeaver]

It didn’t take long for the newly designed George Hislop Park to be taken over by crack heads, drug dealers and a homeless encampments. The new fenced areas to protect new plantings have been damaged and pulled down in areas; new trees planted have branches ripped off or the bark is damaged from bikes; the new benches have been vandalised, spray painted, gouged, etc., the park is littered with crap, beer cans, butts,dirty blankets, clothing and drug paraphernalia. It seems futile for the City to spend money on park improvements until the underlying issues are dealt with first.

 

[Fad225]

It didn’t take long for the newly designed George Hislop Park to be taken over by crack heads, drug dealers and a homeless encampments. The new fenced areas to protect new plantings have been damaged and pulled down in areas; new trees planted have branches ripped off or the bark is damaged from bikes; the new benches have been vandalised, spray painted, gouged, etc., the park is littered with crap, beer cans, butts,dirty blankets, clothing and drug paraphernalia. It seems futile for the City to spend money on park improvements until the underlying issues are dealt with first.

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This is so utterly sad and unacceptable!

 

[christiesplits]

It didn’t take long for the newly designed George Hislop Park to be taken over by crack heads, drug dealers and a homeless encampments. The new fenced areas to protect new plantings have been damaged and pulled down in areas; new trees planted have branches ripped off or the bark is damaged from bikes; the new benches have been vandalised, spray painted, gouged, etc., the park is littered with crap, beer cans, butts,dirty blankets, clothing and drug paraphernalia. It seems futile for the City to spend money on park improvements until the underlying issues are dealt with first.

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Indeed, it is sad to see drug use and addiction so rampant in the city. However, I would suggest avoiding taking photos of people in distress, especially in close proximity.

 

[txlseries4]

I walked through Dufferin Grove Park today and earlier this week read someone's frantic post on a Facebook community group that people kept using the fire pit and aren't allowed, blah blah blah. So when I saw someone working in the park (not city staff) I asked, because there is now a boulder placed on top of the fire pit blocking access. I was told it happened this morning, that park security had been calling Toronto Fire when people were congregating and using the fire pit, but Fire wouldn't respond because it's a permanent pit. They said they heard through the grapevine apparently a longer term solution being considered is a different enclosure with some kind of metal grate or lid that gets unlocked with a permit.

 

[Northern Light]

Bellevue Square Park in Kensington is being cleared of encampees again today.

 

[txlseries4]

Bellevue Square Park in Kensington is being cleared of encampees again today.

Ahh, must be in tandem with clearing the one at St. Stephens at Bellevue and College

 

[taal]

But what's the point ? It seems like it'll just just repeat in a few months ? Not that I have any better suggestions unfortunately. We talk a lot about housing but given (at least in my view) a lot of this is caused by drug and mental health issues I'm not sure that'll be sufficient on it's own.

Does the city track and publish the encampment numbers - I see them periodically but not sure how often or how accurate said numbers are. It'd be good to see the 5 year trend.

 

[Towered]

Ahh, must be in tandem with clearing the one at St. Stephens at Bellevue and College

Yes I saw a dozen cops and even more city outreach workers going in there yesterday...

 

[picard102]

I walked through Dufferin Grove Park today and earlier this week read someone's frantic post on a Facebook community group that people kept using the fire pit and aren't allowed, blah blah blah. So when I saw someone working in the park (not city staff) I asked, because there is now a boulder placed on top of the fire pit blocking access. I was told it happened this morning, that park security had been calling Toronto Fire when people were congregating and using the fire pit, but Fire wouldn't respond because it's a permanent pit. They said they heard through the grapevine apparently a longer term solution being considered is a different enclosure with some kind of metal grate or lid that gets unlocked with a permit.

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I guess that's why our permit for this weekend was moved to Christie Pits.

 

[evandyk]

I walked through Dufferin Grove Park today and earlier this week read someone's frantic post on a Facebook community group that people kept using the fire pit and aren't allowed, blah blah blah. So when I saw someone working in the park (not city staff) I asked, because there is now a boulder placed on top of the fire pit blocking access. I was told it happened this morning, that park security had been calling Toronto Fire when people were congregating and using the fire pit, but Fire wouldn't respond because it's a permanent pit. They said they heard through the grapevine apparently a longer term solution being considered is a different enclosure with some kind of metal grate or lid that gets unlocked with a permit.

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After they cleared the encampment two weeks ago, a couple of people stuck around, lit a new fire, and put up some signs saying they were "sacred fire-keepers". I guess they thought the cops/bylaw officers couldn't make them leave if it was a sacred fire rather than just an ordinary illegal fire. Turns out they were wrong, and now everyone is gone. At least that's what I read in Alejandra Bravo's email update today.

Fire pit access: Because people are starting fires without permits and there are rising safety concerns, I have worked with Parks staff to restrict access to both fire pits in the park for the time being. Stones have been placed over the fire pits to limit access, and no permits are currently available for fire pit use. This is a temporary measure, and fire pit permit access will be reviewed and reinstated as soon as possible.

 

[busybeaver]

Indeed, it is sad to see drug use and addiction so rampant in the city. However, I would suggest avoiding taking photos of people in distress, especially in close proximity.

I don't post pics where people's faces are visible.. and on the topic of 'distress' that can be applied to others feeling distress in the immediate neighbourhood:

'George Hislop Park, which borders Sanctuary’s property, is described in the condo board’s filing as a spillover site for drug use, which the board said attracts dealers to the area and leads to discarded paraphernalia. Residents and neighbours alleged they have been forced to change their routines, avoid certain paths, and endure sleepless nights because of shouting and altercations outside their homes.The claim alleges that condo residents and staff have been yelled at and chased by Sanctuary patrons armed with hammers, steel rods and pipes, and that the church’s property has become a dumping ground for garbage, human waste and drug paraphernalia. According to the lawsuit, the incidents have caused “immeasurable turmoil, distress and fear” '

 

[txlseries4]

Does the city track and publish the encampment numbers - I see them periodically but not sure how often or how accurate said numbers are. It'd be good to see the 5 year trend.

This has some of the info you're wondering

Street Needs Assessment

The Street Needs Assessment (SNA) is a city-wide point-in-time count and survey of people experiencing homelessness that is used to inform evidence-based service planning and programming across the homelessness sector. The City conducted its sixth Streets Needs Assessment in October 2024...

www.toronto.ca