After complaints and concerns, homeless camps to be cleared from Ballard’s Gilman Playground

The city of Seattle is working to clear out homeless camps from Ballard’s Gilman Playground Friday.

The city said the move comes after several months of neighbors, parents, and youth sports team coaches voicing concerns about safety and frustrations over not being able to use the field for youth sports.

In the last six months, the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department were called to Gilman Playground or the general area 72 times, the city said.

Police went to 61 calls that included disturbances, domestic violence, and other suspicious or potentially dangerous activity at the playground.

Seattle Fire responded to at least 11 calls including illegal burns, tent or vehicle fires, minor injuries and one serious medical incident.

The city responded by intensifying outreach efforts to get everyone living at the park moved into a form of shelter with a plan for permanent housing. City-contracted outreach providers visited the park for months to offer people in the camp shelter and resources.

The Human Services Department’s HOPE Team, which coordinates homelessness outreach and referrals to shelter, along with contracted outreach providers, found that 23 people had been living at the park long-term.

On Wednesday, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff posted a notice that all belongings at the park must be removed by Friday.

As of April 20, there have been 16 referrals to shelter for people who were living at the park, and more referrals are expected.

The city said the goal is for everyone who is currently living at the Gilman Playground camps to accept offers of shelter or voluntarily move by Friday.

If needed, personal items will be stored by Seattle Parks and Recreation and can be retrieved later.