https://www.change.org/p/stop-camping-in-missoula-city-parks
About UsAbout Us We are a rapidly growing volunteer group of
Our Team
About Us
We are a rapidly growing volunteer group of residents, park users, park neighbors and business owners in Missoula that recognize there is a houseless sheltering situation that requires a creative and compassionate solution. However, we have very serious concerns about the impacts of a new ordinance the city passed on June 25, 2024 that currently allows overnight houseless camping in 10 residential parks (and potentially numerous others). https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentCenter/View/72641/Ordinance-3747 We believe the ordinance creates many more serious problems than it solves for our community, particularly involving safety of park users (especially children), neighborhood safety, long-term park investments, and economic considerations for residents and local businesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoJ4OZYsHqE We hold the strong belief that overnight camping of any type should be prohibited in Missoula City Parks to ensure that safe, clean healthy parks and neighborhoods are maintained in perpetuity. Maintaining day-use-only use restrictions in residential parks is critical for allowing police officers to promptly identify potential crime situations and effectively enforce local laws and ordinances. The new houseless sheltering ordinance directly conflicts with existing day-use hours. The purpose of this website is to help organize, unite, and inform our community in support of this important cause that could have significant and lasting consequences in Missoula for decades to come. We want to help keep the public informed about important meetings and votes regarding this important topic.
Background
Some of us were made aware of the new ordinance and what it would allow when outhouses were delivered at our parks, and it was communicated by city leaders that refuse boxes for needles would soon be arriving for installation. We also were suddenly made aware (August 14, 2024) that camping was being allowed in affected parks as of July 25, 2024, and our neighborhoods were depicted on maps on the city’s website, along with unenforceable camping guidelines available for broad distribution, that targeted affected residential areas and properties. We believe the uncertainty this ordinance creates for our parks and neighborhoods regarding public safety and property value is overwhelming. While Mayor Davis, members of the City Council and other interested members of the public believe they undertook a lengthy, inclusive, and transparent process when developing and passing this ordinance, it is abundantly clear to us that a significant portion of the Missoula population that could be impacted by the ordinance has little awareness of how and why they might be affected. We continue to encounter new folks every day that have no idea this is going on right now in their community.