On the Cox Creek Path on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 30, 2026.
When homeless campers were evicted from the wilds of Albany’s Simpson Park this summer, where did they go? After taking a bike ride Sunday, I suspect some went to the banks of Cox Creek.
Here’s a look at the ride along the Cox Creek Path:
As you saw, there was one encampment that had spilled on to the path itself.
But I also noticed that off to the side toward the creek, there were what looked like a few pathways or entrances through the bushes.
The section of the Cox Creek draw between Salem Avenue and the railroad bridges was cleaned up a couple of years ago. That portion has stayed clear of camps since.
Now the downstream section between the railroad bridges and Waverly Drive seems to have become at least a temporary home for people and their pets.
A few weeks ago, City Manager Peter Troedsson told the city council in one of his weekly messages that since the mass evictions and cleanup in Simpson Park, camps had sprung up in several other places around Albany including city parks.
If you travel along the path between Cox Creek and Talking Water Gardens, you may see an illustration of what he meant. (hh)
I sure as heck will not be traveling on any paths. Thanks for the heads up, though. Today’s world, with people on drugs or out of a job or both, doesn’t lend itself to traveling on paths that will have homeless encampments on them. That is just asking to get robbed. You shouldn’t be biking on those paths either, Hasso.
Forgot to say that your little bike bell announcing that you were approaching seemed rather “meek” in the area of a homeless camp of several people… plus a big dog that apparently wanted to tear you apart. The dog was on a chain, Thank God.
So you think a horn works better? It does if you want to piss people off. A bell doesn’t irritate people like a horn does.
Thank-You Hasso. I know you will continue being careful.
I don’t know what the city expected to happen.. I know they were given resources but some of those people can’t deal with being around other people. I don’t have a solution, wish I did, but it was obvious what was going to happen.
You are so right. I wish more people thought logically….especially men.