Cities across the country are facing unprecedented challenges around homelessness, a crisis fueled by rising inequality, stagnant wages, lack of affordable housing, the opioid epidemic, mental health challenges, and a host of other factors. Parks and recreation staff find themselves on the front lines of this crisis but often lack the training to deal with daily interactions with unsheltered persons in urban and suburban parks, on trails, and in wooded areas.
This webinar will examine innovative approaches taken by two cities in addressing these issues and will share strategies that have resulted in positive change in their communities.
Olympia, WA
To address the growing challenges presented by the homelessness crisis, the Olympia Parks Department created a Safe and Secure Parks Initiative. This presentation will outline the strategies utilized in Olympia, including an overhaul of departmental policies and procedures, providing staff training, using data systems to measure impact, instituting a protocol to compassionately address encampments in a timely manner, and using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in parks.
Phoenix, AZ
The City of Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation team is participating in successful partnerships that are addressing the challenges surrounding homelessness. This includes participating in the city’s interdepartmental PHX CARES program in which the city leads with services to help those experiencing homelessness find long-term solutions. Parks staff, caseworkers, police, and others partner to conduct “priority park” outreach to individuals, and a dedicated urban park ranger team has been created and has participated in many outreach partnerships and initiatives in urban parks.