City begins clearing homeless encampment at Green Lake Park

SEATTLE — Encampments at Green Lake Park and a small portion of Woodland Park are starting to be removed Monday following several months of outreach efforts, according to Mayor Durkan’s office.

Seattle Parks and Recreation staff posted notices at the park on Saturday that stated any remaining or abandoned belongings at the park must be removed by Monday.

Many neighbors passing by the work site Monday watched and said they welcomed the change.

“I think it’s really good. And hopefully it’ll keep the crime rate down,” said Chari Klenk, who lives in North Seattle. “Our van just got stolen and we’ve gotten broken into three times. So no I think it (the removal) is great,” she said.

Portions of the park were designated as active work areas on Monday as crews address damage to the park, remediate any environmental impacts of the encampment and address backlogged maintenance.

The city of Seattle and its partners began coordinated outreach and engagement efforts at the park in September, with the goal of getting anyone residing in the park long-term on a path toward permanent housing. Since Oct. 12, the efforts have resulted in at least 15 referrals to shelter.

But people who call their vehicles home say it feels like they’re being chased out.

“It’s torture. I fear for my life - it’s either going to be impounded. Or I fear my life a drunk driver is going to take my vehicle and total it out. This is preposterous beyond belief,” said James Wlos, who said he has been living in his van for about a decade and uses it to drive to work.

In October, Seattle Public Utilities staff assessed the area around West Green Lake Way N, which had approximately a dozen RVs, and determined a need for remediation based on public health and safety concerns.

RVs that are abandoned or pose a serious public health or safety risk may be towed starting Monday.

SPU staff will be removing trash and debris in this area and the street may be closed for parts of the day on Monday while the work is occurring. Temporary no-parking signs were also posted in the area.

But SPU emphasized that RVs that do not need to be towed and are only being asked to temporarily relocate so the area can be cleaned. There will be no permeant parking changes to West Green Lake Way N.

However, anyone who sets up new tents at Green Lake Park will be asked to leave.

SPR has been successful at keeping other Seattle parks encampment-free, including Denny Park and Cal Anderson Park, following similar outreach efforts and referrals to shelter prior to encampment removal.

As for RV residents, the Human Services Department said there has been $1.4 million in next year’s budget allocated for creating safe parking lots where RVs can park, and specifically assisting residents in RVs.

Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell released the following statement:

“I campaigned for this office on the fundamental message that it is inhumane for people to live in parks without sanitation, running water, and access to the services needed to restore lives and stability. Voters agreed that we need a new approach that helps those suffering homelessness get out of parks and into housing with services. Today’s effort is a step in that direction.

“When my administration officially takes office in January, you will see a new urgency addressing encampments, and a robust focus on thoughtful and culturally-competent outreach, along with an array of shelter, housing, and service options. We cannot allow this crisis to continue to worsen – my priority from day one will be putting into action the resources we have to help restore lives, while at the same time restoring parks, public places and public trust in Seattle.”

©2021 Cox Media Group