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Parks By-law and Encampment Protocol Survey

On November 12, 2024, Town Council adopted a new Parks By-law and Encampment Response Protocol following an extensive community consultation. This protocol establishes sensitive use areas where encampments are not permitted, and rules regarding size and cleanliness that must be followed for encampments on public land outside of the sensitive use areas.

Town staff worked with our community partners and service agencies through April 2025 to provide clear and consistent education about the new by-law and how it would be implemented in the community. Through the spring and summer, by-law staff have been enforcing the protocol through Town parks and public spaces.

This has meant that:

  • Encampments that set up within a sensitive use area are moved to a non-sensitive location within 1 day of notification to by-law staff
  • Encampments on publicly owned land outside of a sensitive use area are being allowed to stay in place as long as all other rules are followed
  • Encampments are limited to a maximum of 3 tents in one location

Council will be reviewing the Parks By-law and Encampment Protocol at the end of the summer, and is looking for community input on how the Town's implementation of this by-law can be improved.

As a reminder, because there is a housing shortage and no emergency shelter options available in Greater Napanee, current case law requires the Town to permit some degree of encampments on public lands as unhoused residents have a constitutional right to shelter.

Part 1 - About You

1.  

Which ward do live or own property in?

* required
2.  

How long have you lived or owned property in Greater Napanee?

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3.  

What is your age range?

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4.  

What is your experience with homelessness?

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About the Encampment Protocol

5.  

I have noticed a positive difference this year compared to last year in my interactions with encampments in the community.

* required
6.  

I find the encampment protocol and the Town’s communications on this subject easy to understand.

* required
7.  

I believe the Town’s encampment protocol treats our unhoused residents with dignity and is respectful of their rights.

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8.  

I believe the Town’s encampment protocol supports the rights of residents to use public parks and playgrounds.

* required
9.  

I believe the Town’s encampment protocol supports the rights of private property owners to have quiet enjoyment of their own property.

* required
10.  

The Town’s encampment protocol sufficiently addresses my concerns.

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11.  

My interactions with Town staff about the encampment protocol have been respectful and understanding of my concerns.

* required
12.  

If you have interacted with the Town on the subject of encampments, what was the method of that interaction? (select all that apply)