Clean Up Completed in 2023

An encampment cleanup was completed in 2023 to the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt. It took three months and $200,000 to clear out the camp and relocate dozens of people who were staying along the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt loop.

The trail is located near Sixth Street and Gibson Road. It had been closed when the massive encampment was set up, with more than 70 people living there. Ingrid Weigand lives in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood and sits on the park's committee. "It was very unwelcoming and not altogether a safe space to be walking," Weigand says.

People living in the neighborhood bring the issue to City leaders. As part of the City's Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative, more than 70 people experiencing homelessness were relocated. They are taken to the Southbridge shelter, along with 15 pets. Contractors are brought in for a massive cleanup that begins in August 2023.

Ronnie Dittmar, who has lived in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood for 30 years, sees the cleanup happen.

"We guess between 30 to 40 dumpsters over the two-month period that are filled and then hauled away," Dittmar says.

Weigand says she is happy with the transformation.

"It's totally incredible to see how much cleaner the place is. We are grateful for PARD [Parks and Recreation Department] to send so many contractors to clean it up," she says.

"I am very encouraged. I am happy about it," Dittmar says.