Three abandoned tents removed from Victoria Park, says City of Kitchener

The City of Kitchener has confirmed three tents have been removed from Roos Island in Victoria Park after notices were taped to the outside of the tents in early January.

A city representative said two of the three tents were removed by their owners. The third was removed by City of Kitchener staff after confirming the tent was abandoned.

The city said bylaw officers had posted notices on the tents because they appeared to be have been empty or abandoned for one to two weeks. 

"Before removing a tent, a notice is taped to the outside of the tent or placed inside the door if the door is left open," the city said in a statement emailed to CBC News.

"City of Kitchener staff continue to visit Roos Island daily to check on residents, connect them to services, and ensure the site is kept clear of garbage and debris, including abandoned tents."

The Roos Island encampment started in July as a protest. At the time, organizers said it was strategically placed in a high traffic area along a pathway and near the Victoria Park gazebo to bring more attention to the city's growing housing problem.

As of the last count, in September of 2021, there were 1,085 people without a home in Waterloo region. Another encampment set up at Weber Street and Victoria Street, which has fluctuated in size, has brought the issue to the forefront in regional politics and was the subject of a recent high-profile court decision. 

The statement from the City of Kitchener also said that staff will continue to monitor the area with "daily checks, photographs, documentation and talking to people living in nearby tents".

The city has also placed concrete barricades on either side of the bridge right next to Roos Island to ensure motor vehicles cannot access the area.

Bylaw officers made the decision to temporarily restrict access onto the bridge as a safety measure.

The bridge is due for scheduled maintenance this spring.