No encampments were visible in this photo of the Simpson Park trail taken on a bike ride in April 2020.
People camping in Simpson Park can expect to be notified this week that they’ll have to leave and their camps will be dismantled.
The 192-acre park along the Willamette River is situated in Millersburg but administered by Albany under a conservation easement the Simpson Timber Co. granted Albany in 1997.
The heavily wooded natural area includes the Simpson Park trail. It covers the stretch of land between the Willamette and First and Second Lakes.
In a memo to the Millersburg City Council, City Manager Kevin Kreitman wrote:
“Linn County Sheriff’s Office has responded to numerous crime issues at the site, and contacts are often with individuals who have arrest warrants. Additionally, these individuals have taken up residency with makeshift structures resulting in significant trash, fire, and environmental hazards which raise considerable safety concerns.”
In the memo, Kreitman announced a joint campaign by the sheriff’s office and Albany to clean the place up. This was the plan:
“Week of August 12th – Albany to begin noticing camps, will work with Chance and Helping Hands to go on site to talk with people about options.
“Week of September 16th – Begin camp breakdown and clean-up. Anticipated it will take a couple of weeks based on the amount of garbage.
“Albany is looking at the potential use of a current grant to assist with costs associated with the project.
“Albany Parks is looking at the potential clearing of brush, post clean up to
assist with keeping folks from returning. A follow-up meeting is planned for the week of August 12th.”
So, if you head out on the trail in Simpson Park this week and notice an unusual amount of activity, that’s what’s going on. (hh)
Simpson is a fun walk. Long and it doesn’t end soon. Long!!!
There used to be bench down there at the circle back. Nice spot!!
(gone) ((sad))
…but watch out if you go further. Signs say KEEP OUT! …. maybe camera watching I don’t recall.
Check it out!!
About a mile.. you mean where it runs into Wah Chang property? Of course it says keep out.
Seems like no matter what the City does, they have to get a grant, or levy a fee, or try to pass a bond measure. They are completely out of money. I think Councilor Novak is right; she said in the D-H paper that they should maybe lay off some people so they can have some operating funds. They even have to use grant money to clean up a park!!!!
My opinion is their heads have been up ‘you-know-where’ so long with their euphoria over this stupidly high-priced Water Street project that everything else has gone to hell.
I know from waiting for a refund from a city class that they have no cash. It took 2 months to receive a refund, and they kept $5.00 for processing!!
I mentioned that they seem to have no money on hand, and the clerk said, “even if that is true, you will get your refund.” That says it all. (She was very nice.)
By the way, that is a gorgeous picture from 2020. Seems like an eternity ago.
Well if the city doesn’t have the funding why even mess with it why spend money that you can’t afford to spend when there is no money and it’s messed up if people get laid off just to pay for this to be done. Which is going to result to more people having to make a camp down there in the future