The City of Duncan is a community that cares for its residents. Unfortunately, many residents in our community lack consistent housing, and as a result, as the weather warms each year there is an increase in people using City parks for an overnight shelter.
It is important that the parks are safe and accessible for everyone. City staff take a proactive and responsive approach to manage the safety of all park visitors.
The City of Duncan “Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw No. 3165, 2017” is in place to balance all uses within a park, ensure park activities are safe for everyone, and that the environment and amenities are protected from damage. The bylaw regulates matters such fires in parks, alcohol use, damage or nuisance, as well as the use of City parks as a place of overnight accommodation for homeless persons (Section 4.0).
Rules for Temporary Overnight Shelters for Parks in Duncan
People who are homeless may seek temporary overnight accommodation in a City park. Duncan parks are not designed for recreational camping, and camping is not permitted.
- Temporary accommodation may not be set up in Centennial park.
- Temporary accommodation may not be set up in Charles Hoey Park.
- Temporary accommodation may be set up in Rotary Park only in the purple shaded area indicated on this map:
Some general rules to follow when seeking overnight shelter in a City park:
- Overnight shelter must be temporary (for example tents or shelter constructed from a tarp, plastic or cardboard)
- Overnight shelter can only be erected from 7:00 pm – 9:00 am, provided the homeless person:
- Does not damage or alter City property, including fencing, trees, shrubs, flowers, plantings, benches, or other municipal equipment or infrastructure;
- Does not obstruct a City employee in the performance of his duty;
- Does not have an open flame (e.g. lighter, camp fire, candle) and smoking is prohibited.
The temporary shelter, debris, possessions, litter and any other articles must be completely removed by 9:00 am. Bylaw Officers may remove any items left behind. A person entitled to the property may come forward within 7 days to claim. Please note, items without identification and items contaminated with drugs or drug paraphernalia will be immediately discarded. After 7 days the property may be sold or discarded (Section 6).
Areas where a temporary shelter is not permitted:
- Within 40 metres of any playground, community garden, sports field, tennis court, picnic shelter, gazebo, stage, water park, skate park, parking lot, public washroom, ornamental garden, Cenotaph, or horticultural display;
- Within 10 metres of an established trail or sidewalk;
- Within 10 metres of private property;
- Within a sensitive area;
- Within 40 metres of any area of a park that has been designated for an event or activity under a valid and subsisting permit issued by the City;
- On or near a highway or interfere with the lawful use of a person or vehicle using a highway.
Park Washrooms
The washrooms are open in each park as follows:
Centennial Park
- May 1 to September 30 – 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- October 1 to April 30 – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Charles Hoey Park (Canada Avenue Train Station)
- May 1 to September 30 – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- October 1 to April 30 – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
McAdam/Rotary Park
- May 1 to September 30 – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- October 1 to April 30 – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Contacts
If you are concerned about an activity in a park please contact the City of Duncan Bylaw Department:
- by email: bylawenforcement@duncan.ca
- by phone: 250-746-6126 (M-F 8:30 am – 4:00 pm)
- or through our online Issue Reporting Form
If it is outside the above hours, please call Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP Detachment Non-Emergency Line: 250-748-5522
To inquire about impounded items, please call the City of Duncan Bylaw Office: 250-746-6126 (M-F 8:30 am – 4:00 pm)
To request cleanup of an encampment in a park, please contact the City of Duncan Bylaw Office/Corporate Services: 250-746-6126 or email: duncan@duncan.ca
To request maintenance in a park (e.g. fix a park swing, cover graffiti paint) please contact Public Works: 250-746-5321
If it is an emergency please call 9-1-1
