Park board taking additional steps to clear Oppenheimer Park, seek injunction
Credit to Author: Postmedia News| Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2019 20:22:09 +0000
The Vancouver park board is taking more steps toward clearing Oppenheimer Park, as colder temperatures and winter conditions approach.
In a news release issued Tuesday, the board said it would continue moving forward with its decampment plan by calling on a third-party group to independently assess the park’s current situation. The third-party group would then be asked to share recommendations for enhancing safety, providing support and seeking additional shelter for those still living in the park.
“This work will be done with a commitment to the principles of reconciliation and in consultation with those in the park,” the statement read.
Staff has also been asked to revise the current bylaw, which prevents people from camping in parks, to bring it up to current standards set in other municipalities and to meet legal precedent.
Once those conditions have been complete, the park board will seek an injunction.
“While we know this will take time, I am optimistic that we have developed a plan to improve conditions for people experiencing homelessness in Oppenheimer Park and to move toward a safe resolution to the current encampment in the park,” said park board chair Stuart Mackinnon.
“The board is committed to enacting a compassionate and holistic approach to this difficult and complicated challenge that touches everyone in our community.”