While walking my dog in lower cascade park yesterday, I noticed parking lots were full and people were parking in grass area since most of the parking spaces are blocked off. It is unusually warm this year so it may be a good idea to open up the parking lots early this year.
The splash pad is off even though it is within posted hours
What is the city doing about the growing homeless camp in the city park, Seminary Park? Is the intention to make this camp permanent? It seems to have been growing for about a year, with seemingly little effort to address it, the safety of passersby, or the sanitation issues that accompany it.
Tents set up overnight. Tons of trash. Social gatherings > 15 people. Alcohol and drug use. Apparently city has social workers at park to hand out free water and supplies. Nobody is taking care of real problems.
Other: Tents up overnight. Lots of trash. People breaking all kinds of laws. Looks like dozens of different people have reported similar problems. Why, over a period of several years can nothing be done? Seems like this needs to turn into a legal battle since the city who gets paid by taxpayers and is required to uphold laws and rules we agree upon refuses to properly address this problem. ***closed within 10 min of posting-almost like the city doesn’t want other people to see***
Lots of trash and debris. Also needles on ground. Overall unsafe “park”
Tent camp is growing quite large. This is against city ordinance. Same problem is going on at switchyard park. Homeless camps being set up in the area, people loitering, creating trash and littering, human waste, needles, etc. this is causing huge problems with nearby businesses and home owners. Been going on months/years? Will this ever be addressed in a manner needed to actually fix the problems? Or will Bloomington continue to enable these problems?
People spending the night in seminary park
Was harassed in Kroger parking lot by people from seminary park. Asked for money, when I said no they aggressively tried to follow me. I had to run to my car to leave. Very unsafe area for Bloomington residents.
I am deeply saddened that our City would remove the encampment in Seminary Square. Does every park have to be for the primary enjoyment of those who HAVE homes? Can't the homeless at least have primary use of THIS one? Are people so small-minded that they begrudge this just because they then aren't comfortable using it themselves? I walk by it all the time, and sure, it isn't as pretty as it could otherwise be, but how about considerations of justice? Let them enjoy the space! I know there may be more clean-up needed for city workers, but that is a cost we should be able to bear. Let's make it safer as needed by installing port-a-potties or whatever is needed. Bloomington supposedly cares so much about the housing problem that they are prepared to ruin historic neighborhoods (though I suspect this is mainly at the behest of developers), yet they won't allow homeless people to live in tents in Seminary Square??