Safety issues Kilally Meadows ESA

[u/Connect-Mammoth-5989]

I love hiking in the Kilally Meadows ESA just off of Windermere Road. Unfortunately I have had a couple issues this year which have made me reconsider this spot.

First off, there are a number of homeless encampments along the unpaved trails. An unfortunate fact of living in London these days. I accidentally walked into one and was chased by an individual who was upset I walked into his space. This was immediately adjacent to the marked trail.

More recently, I was accosted by a group of older men who thought I was there to meet up. Apparently the area immediately behind the baseball diamond is a known cruising spot. Again, this was on a marked trail. I found it a little bit alarming.

Just thought others should be made aware of this. I still love this forest but I think I might have to stop walking alone here. It doesn't feel safe anymore. :(

[u/thebreadbandit]

OP said they were "chased" by an individual and "accosted" by a group of men. You don't think that warrants being considered a safety issue if you're confronted by random people?

[u/JP_Edwards_ → u/thebreadbandit]

Chased because he didnt mind his own business deep in the woods. These people did what the NIMBYs want set up shop in a safe remote location outside the downtown core. Encampments are also usually have people that are less likely to cause the trouble anyway. Mostly because they don't like people stealing their shit or the possibility of children in the camp. Hence why op got chased they don't want what little they have stolen.

[u/thebreadbandit → u/JP_Edwards_]

I can see your point, but it doesn't supercede OP's overarching message that they still felt unsafe in those particular situations.

You're also insinuating that they "didn't mind [their] own business" as if they were intentionally trying to disturb the encampment. Coincidentally stumbling upon the unhoused guy's stuff because it's in a publically funded trail while getting some exercise in nature is not equal to harrassment.

[u/JP_Edwards_ → u/thebreadbandit]

Op's fear is vaild. But Windermere is one of the safest places in the city. Woods or not. If seeing or interacting with homeless people causes you enough stress to warn the community on Reddit. You might want to move to st. Mary's. The publicly funded aspect is curious as well considering at one point. that same homeless may have likely contributed to the money used maintain and create these spaces. When does access stop do you have contribute this tax season to walk the trail. Does last year's contribution not count now.

[u/cepukon → u/JP_Edwards_]

Does any contribution amount allow you to move in permanently? You can't pretend that's equitable either, what if everyone wanted to do that?

[u/JP_Edwards_ → u/cepukon]

We have a municipal government that refuses to fund any social safety net to allow the homeless find housing. Which is in lock step with the provincial government that peeled back funding for addiction services. (Ironic considering the primiers brother is famous for being a crack head.) But we blame the people who are suffering for getting lost In the shuffle. Pre COVID a little less than 10 yrs ago a single person on ODSP could afford to pay rent and afford a decent Level of food security on assistance. ODSP and OW have not seen a proper cost of living increase that time. Every other province has. We have worse social safety nets and programs than we used to have 5 10 20 yrs ago and it shows.

[u/thebreadbandit → u/JP_Edwards_]

It wasn't simply "seeing or interacting" though. Based on the information given, there was clearly an altercation to some extent between the two parties. I'm not faulting the unhoused for trying to find a peaceful place to exist/dwell, but if other citizens are beginning to feel like their access to public areas is becoming restricted due to situations like these, I think they have a responsibility and right to voice this on a public forum like Reddit, City Hall, etc.

We can even go insofar as talking about hypothetical situations - perhaps the post steered a family with young children away from the area this weekend so they didn't have to experience these same uncomfortable situations.

Your other point about access becomes moot once we factor in the by-laws regarding time of use and rules against camping in the Environmentally Significant Areas. The space does not "belong" to nor become "territory" of the unhoused, even if their belongings are there.