The Metropolis of Kingston says a part of Belle Park, the place an encampment of homeless folks had been arrange, can be closed beginning Friday for remediation and clean-up.
Folks have been residing in tents within the space of Belle Park since at the very least 2020. The Metropolis of Kingston has made a number of makes an attempt to evict people residing there, which have been met by authorized challenges. Earlier this month, nevertheless, a person attacked and killed two folks within the space of the encampment and injured one other, prompting the mayor to name for the encampment to be dismantled.
A part of the world was fenced off for the police investigation and remained closed as of final week.
The Metropolis of Kingston mentioned in a information launch Wednesday that it has been serving to folks get entry to their private belongings that have been left on the encampment, however the space will stay closed off to all members of the general public for a while.
“Efficient Sept. 27, 2024, the Metropolis of Kingston will shut roughly one and 1 / 4 hectare of Belle Park to all customers for an undetermined interval. The closure is below the authority of Metropolis of Kingston By-Legislation 2009-76 and prohibits all entry to and use of the park, together with leisure actions and sheltering in a single day. The Okay&P Path subsequent to Belle Park can be affected by the closure and can’t be utilized by pedestrians and cyclists,” the discharge mentioned.
The town says the park’s soil has been contaminated and it’s infested with rodents.
“The Metropolis will work carefully with KFL&A Public Well being to make sure the environmental contamination is addressed and the property is restored.”
The Built-in Care Hub (ICH) may also stay closed at the moment, however the metropolis says it’s anticipated to reopen.
“The ICH consortium companions (AMHS-KFLA, Trellis HIV & Group Care, KCHC, Windfall Care and Dwelling Base Housing) proceed to maintain the ICH and CTS (consumption and remedy providers) closed whereas they finalize plans to offer security for all after they reopen providers for public entry. They’ve requested that the Metropolis proceed to offer fencing and safety to the location whereas they make plans for reopening.”
Andre Wareham, 47, is charged with two counts of second-degree homicide and one rely of tried homicide within the deaths of Taylor Wilkinson, 38, and John Hood, 41, and the harm of an unidentified woman following the assault on Sept. 12.
