In response to neighbor complaints to SUNA about camping in and around University Park, the SUNA board invited City of Eugene staff from Parks and Open Space and Parking Services to our October meeting. Following is a brief summary of what they shared:
Reporting Concerns
- The most important thing neighbors can do is to report park-related safety concerns through Park Watch. Parking violations, on-street vehicle camping, and garbage in the right-of-way can be reported through Vehicle or Camp Reporter. (Or on the City of Eugene website, search for “report concerns”.)
Park Camping or Illicit Activity
- Staff counseled neighbors with concerns to report camping in the park in a timely fashion; if a tent has been set up over 24 hours, state law prohibits park staff from asking the person to move until three days have passed. If they have camped under 24 hours, they are given a courtesy 2-hour window to vacate. Sleeping bags are now allowed in parks per a City of Eugene rule change.
- Staff indicated that approximately 40% of the people camping in and around Eugene parks are from out of town, in part because Eugene has less enforcement capacity compared to other towns, including Springfield.
- Staff do not feel that the pervasive and persistent behaviors at other downtown parks are likely to materialize at University Park, in part due to robust use (pétanque, Little League, basketball, etc.).
- Four park ambassadors work 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. to patrol parks. Staff are looking to hire two night staff to patrol city parks and enforce the 11 p.m. closing time. Patrols are concentrated in higher need parks; patrols to University Park are complaint driven.
- Board members asked if the plan to make the bathroom open year-round would attract camping and illicit activity. Staff agreed that it could be a draw.
- Rules around what is allowed in city parks is largely determined by City Council.
Vehicle Storage or Other Parking Violations
- Vehicles are allowed to be parked in the same spot for 72 hours and then must move at least two blocks to reset the clock. The city does not patrol for violations of the 72 hour limit; it is complaint driven.
- Campers that only park at night and vacate during the day are not possible to enforce under current rules. Adding the blocks around the park to Parking Zone A would likely not help control on-street camping because parking without a permit is allowed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. and weekends do not have any restrictions. But the city is supportive of expanding Zone A and other possible solutions if neighbors would like to take this action.
- Restricting overnight parking around the park would have the effect of campers moving to the other side of the street.
In sum, the staff present indicated that there is little they can do in many instances due to the city’s current rules, but they encourage neighbors to continue to report violations or illicit behaviors and to speak with our city councilor about possible remedies.
Neighbors interested in serving on a University Park committee focused on parking and safety issues should contact info@sunaeugene.org.