Encampment at John Rebecca Park causes tension with central Hamilton neighbours

At the corner of John and Rebecca streets is John Rebecca Park, a sunbaked stretch of concrete, spotted with circular mounds of dry, yellow grass. 

At the centre of the park is a cluster of bicycles, backpacks and blankets, huddled under the park's only real source of shade — a perforated overhang meant to be part of a splash pad that is no longer used by the public. 

On top of the overhang, people have tied down tarps to stop the sun and rain from leaking in through the small holes. People under the shade are trying to stay cool, on yet another day outdoors in 30-degree heat.

This is also home to the John Rebecca Park encampment, a last resort for the people who live there and a cause of tension in the central Hamilton neighbourhood between those residents, some neighbours in nearby buildings and businesses. 

One Hamilton man, who identified himself to CBC Hamilton as Jay, says he has been living in the encampment for about a year, to stay close to the drop-in day centre run by non-profit organization Wesley Urban Ministries across the street. 

Wesley offers folks like Jay the basic necessities, like food, water, washrooms and showers. It also provides medical services to people experiencing homelessness. 

CBC Hamilton spoke with Jay on July 19, a few hours after city workers had given encampment residents an eviction notice, forcing them to pack up and move somewhere else around noon during an extended heat warning.

Jay said that when the city enforces an eviction, they come in with trucks and throw out everything that belongs to the people who live there. 

Even without the eviction, Jay said the city has removed items from the park, like tarps used to create shade.

At the time of reporting, the tarps were back up.

Jay also said the city had already shut off water to the park. 

"The thing that bothers me the most is the water. It's probably the most disgusting thing they do. They're trying to make us as uncomfortable as possible," he said. 

In an email to CBC Hamilton, city senior communications officer Aisling Higgins said the park's spray pad and fountain have been vandalized, and wiring for both have been stolen, leaving them out of order. 

"The city wants to protect the cost of the investment in the repairs, and ensure that these items will not be immediately vandalized, before these items are fixed," the city wrote.