At the Salem City Council meeting on September 14, long‑time Wallace Marine Park resident Katrina Randklev testified on behalf of roughly 65 campers who remain in the park’s woods behind the softball fields. She urged an emergency pause to the city’s planned camp clearings scheduled for September 21, arguing that the lack of adequate shelter would force residents onto the streets during the harsh winter months.
City’s Planned Timeline
City spokesperson Rob Layne confirmed that notices have been posted to remove 20‑30 campsites next week. He said the city expects to end all camping at Wallace Marine Park by the end of October, with a possible extension into November depending on resources. “At this time, we have no plans to pause our cleanup of the location,” Layne wrote in a Tuesday email.
Residents’ Concerns
Randklev warned that many campers have complex needs, including physical and mental disabilities, substance‑use challenges, and pets. She said the park’s existing shelters—some with roofs and wood‑stoves—provide a safer winter environment than the uncertainty of street homelessness. “By stripping away park shelter, you force us out onto the city streets. You force the community to see us in doorways which in turn directly creates the public hostility and hatred directed at us,” she said.
Neighbor and friend Briana Alvarez echoed these concerns, noting that local shelter operators anticipate difficulty accommodating the park’s residents in the coming months. The city’s Navigation Center, SafeSleep United, and the Union Gospel Mission were cited as potential options, though each has limitations. SafeSleep United, for example, has 50 beds for women but often turns referrals away due to capacity constraints. The Union Gospel Mission serves only single men, which can be a barrier for families or couples.
City Response
Layne emphasized that the city works with the Salem Police Homeless Services Team and other providers to identify next‑step destinations for each individual. “When we are able to engage with individuals, we work to identify a next destination as well as connect people to available options,” he said. He listed the Navigation Center (75 beds, 15 reserved for agency referrals), SafeSleep United, the Union Gospel Mission, and connections to family or friends as possible resources.
Layne added that after the September 21 removal, any future clearings will be coordinated with partners and may be paused if on‑site conditions become unsafe. He cited a recent example where a resident receiving acute medical treatment prompted a temporary halt.
Mayor‑Elect’s Position
Randklev referenced Mayor‑Elect Vanessa Nordyke’s earlier statement that the city should “pump the brakes” on the transition if appropriate shelter or housing options are unavailable. Nordyke warned against simply moving people from one location to another without ensuring viable alternatives.
Looking Ahead
Randklev asked City Manager Krishna Namburi to grant an emergency halt, noting that without immediate resources, she does not expect new options to appear within 30 days. While she expressed doubt that the request will be granted, the testimony highlights the tension between the city’s effort to clear the park and the urgent needs of its most vulnerable residents.
City officials maintain that the removals are part of a broader effort to connect campers with permanent housing solutions, but the debate underscores the challenges of providing winter shelter in a community where resources are stretched thin.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
