The city has released a statement announcing Meagher Park is closing to the homeless.
The site off Chebucto Road has been dubbed “People’s Park” and has been home to tents and emergency shelters for several months now.
The city says the move is being made due to safety concerns along with the plan to have people shelter at four designated sites. People were handed notice on Tuesday that they will need to leave.
“Health and safety conditions in the park have continued to decline in recent months, placing those sheltering in this location in an increasingly vulnerable situation,” a news release says. “With the recent designation of outdoor locations for sheltering, including additional supports and services, there are alternate locations for those living rough which are safer.”
People who have been sheltering at the site are being granted a transition period to clear out their things by July 17th, 2022.
Calista Hills, who volunteers with Halifax Mutual Aid, says she’s concerned the city won’t wait until that deadline. The group helps people who are without a home in HRM. Hills provides support to residents who live at Meagher Park.
“I highly anticipate there will be police enforcement when that day comes,” Hills tells our newsroom. “Even though the city has said it would be a last resort. I’m assuming this being their first resort, that would be what it would come to.”
The municipality says many of those who had been sheltering in Meagher Park have accepted housing from service providers working on behalf of the province.
“The municipality’s priority has been, and continues to be, treating those experiencing homelessness with dignity and continuing to find ways to provide support within our organization’s capacity and scope,” the statement reads.
Hills says the people who have been calling the park home are upset they won’t be able to have visitors for the 12 days they have left at the site.
“The especially disturbing part I think to a lot of the residents and volunteers is the requirement that visitors aren’t allowed in the park,” Hills says. “I think that was something that was really shocking.”
The municipality is working with the province to continue to connect those who have been staying at the site with options and additional support. The four spaces in the city that have been designated as sheltering locations include the following:
- Barrington Street green space between Cornwallis Street and North Street in Halifax;
- Lower Flinn Park in Halifax;
- Green Road Park in Dartmouth; and
- Geary Street green space in Dartmouth.
A map of the four designated sheltering sites. (SOURCE: Halifax Regional Municipality)
The municipality says these sites offer portable toilets, garbage cans, and additional services such as potable water, storage boxes, and needle boxes continue to be added.
It adds Meagher Park will be fenced for reconstruction work once vacated to restore it to its original state.
Hills says until then, people at the park will wonder what the future holds.
“There are people who have been looking for other options. Some of them are working so they can’t get on income assistance, but at the same time, they’re not working enough to be able to afford an apartment.” Hills says. “So for some of the people living in sheds there and even the tents, it kind of throws their next little while up in the air for where they’re going to be, if they’re going to have a safe space to store their things.”
**With files from Anastasia Payne.
