Could a homeless encampment set up in a city park?

Ron Melnyk says the City of North Bay will take a "wait-and-see" approach relating to rumours of a new homeless encampment that may be set up this summer or fall in a North Bay park. 

Melnyk, North Bay's longtime by-law enforcement supervisor, responded to the city park encampment rumours. In 2020, Melnyk and the City of North Bay had to enforce a City of North Bay camping by-law to remove the small tent city set up near North Bay City Hall on McIntyre Street in downtown North Bay. 

"In the parks bylaw, there are a few rules that apply to all city parks," Melnyk told BayToday.  

"No camping being one, no fires, no smoking, that type of thing. Park use is fine."

See related: Moyer promises to vacate City Hall peacefully

See related: Camping by-law to be enforced this afternoon at City Hall

However, renting a field in a city park brings with it another layer of rules. 

"Unless you're in an area that is a rental field, then you have to have a rental agreement otherwise you can't be there," he explained.  

"And if people follow the rules and they follow the rules, if they're not following the rules, then we will be there. We'll have to deal with them and depending on what the situation is, whether it be directed to another location, slightly different location, completely off of the property. It just depends on what the situation is."