Gonzales

There are now 34 City of Victoria parks at which overnight sheltering is allowed, as indicated on the city's map below, and available on their website. Gonzales Beach, Pemberton, and Oaklands parks are the only three parks on the list that have been publicised by the city for sheltering since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.

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As of July 23th there are 7-8 people sheltering in Gonzales Park each night in a total of 4-5 tents. 3 tent users have been partially compliant with the sheltering bylaw's requirement to pack up between 7 am and 7 pm, while two other tents have been left up 24/7 and prevent access to picnic tables and park benches. The restriction against daytime camping was intended by BC courts to be a reasonable compromise between emergency overnight sheltering of unhoused people and recreational use of the park during the day. Several tents continue to be placed right against private property adjoining the park, also contrary to the sheltering bylaw. Bylaw Services staff do not seem to be attending the park with sufficient regularity to maintain compliance.

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Use of Gonzales Park for sheltering is increasing and we are not aware that the 31 other newly listed parks are being used. This may be because of the following:

- the city does not post maps of sheltering parks so unhoused people may not know what their options are.

- most of the 31 parks do not have washrooms and the city has not acted on suggestions to provide portable washroom facilities at some.

- agencies and non-profits supporting unhoused people continue to bring people to Gonzales.

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The GNA continues to lobby the city to close Gonzales and Pemberton parks to sheltering now that there are 31 other parks available.

Click here for more information about the city's plan and how it may affect Gonzales.