GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from Marcia Chiasson regarding possible encampments within Preservation Park.
Dear editor
I write to express my concern regarding the City of Guelph’s recent decision to allow what has been termed “respectful camping” in Preservation Park, particularly within the Hanlon Creek neighbourhood. While I am sympathetic to the housing crisis and the need for immediate solutions to support individuals experiencing homelessness, I believe this decision was made without proper consideration of the negative consequences it could have on the park, the local community, and even the homeless population itself.
First and foremost, I must point out the lack of public consultation on this issue. As a resident of Hanlon Creek, I am alarmed that such a significant change to the use of our conservation space has been made without seeking input from the community directly impacted. Where was the opportunity for residents to voice their concerns? This decision feels like an attempt to relocate a perceived downtown problem into residential neighbourhoods without addressing the root causes of homelessness or considering the broader impacts on the surrounding areas.
Allowing encampments in Preservation Park could have severe consequences. Despite the intention behind "respectful camping," the reality of long-term encampments in natural spaces often results in environmental degradation. Preservation Park is a vital part of Guelph’s conservation efforts, home to sensitive ecosystems that could be irreparably damaged by human activity, littering, and unsanitary conditions. The natural beauty of the park and the biodiversity it supports may not withstand the pressures of a large-scale encampment, no matter how well-meaning the city’s approach may be.
Moreover, this decision has the potential to negatively affect residents of the Hanlon Creek neighbourhood. Increased crime, decreased property values, and reduced safety are all legitimate concerns. While I do not believe that individuals experiencing homelessness inherently cause these issues, encampments, by nature, can attract crime and other unsafe activities due to the lack of formal infrastructure and oversight. Families may feel unsafe using the park, and local property values could decline as a result.
Furthermore, this approach risks isolating those experiencing homelessness from the vital services they rely on, many of which are located in the downtown core. Facilities like the Guelph Drop-In Centre provide essential support that will be harder to access from Preservation Park, potentially worsening the situation for the very people this decision is supposed to help.
In reality, this move appears to be more about displacing the issue from downtown than solving it. Shifting encampments to residential neighbourhoods does not address the systemic issues of affordable housing and support services. Instead, it simply shifts the burden onto a different part of the city, with consequences for both residents and the environment.
I strongly urge the city to reconsider this decision and demand that future actions include proper consultation with the community. We all agree that homelessness is a crisis that requires immediate attention, but moving encampments into conservation areas without a plan for long-term support is not the solution. Guelph must find ways to address the housing crisis that are both humane and sustainable, without compromising our neighbourhoods or our green spaces.
Sincerely,
Marcia Chiasson
Resident of the Hanlon Creek neighbourhood
