Hespeler group taking back trails, one step at a time
Community walks aim to boost public presence in the woods, to help address illegal campsites in the area
A movement to take back Hespeler’s trails and green spaces from an invasion of illegal campsites is looking to make a positive change, one step at a time.
The Hespeler Trails Safety and Awareness Group, a newly formed citizens’ alliance formed to protect trails and parks from social and environmental impacts of homeless camps, is setting out to discourage illegal camping by taking a walk in the woods.
It’s hoped the increased public presence on trails and parks will be a deterrent to those illegally taking up residence in Hespeler’s natural spaces, and also serve as the eyes and ears to identify homeless campsite hot spots and suspicious activity.
There are also other benefits, according to group organizers, such as highlighting Hespeler’s many trails and parks, as well as promoting exercise and community bonding.
Group founder Lindsay Reed, an avid hiker who explores local trails daily with her husband Josh, is elated by the response she’s received from residents backing her efforts to flush out illegal campsites — without resorting to confrontation, shame and blame.
“We’re not going hunting for it,” said Reed. “We’re just taking back our right to go for a walk. And if it makes us feel safer together, let’s go.”
Community walks are planned for Sunday at Forbes Park, Monday at the Mill Run trail, Tuesday at Hespeler Arena and Wednesday in downtown Hespeler.
The group’s Facebook page, which already has nearly 350 members, offers a detailed list of walking event times and meeting locations.
Reed is well aware of how divided the community has become as the city struggles to respond to issues of homelessness, drug addiction and drug debris, as well as the impact each of those issues has had on the community.
Whether it’s during the groupled walks or as moderator of the Facebook group, Reed is aiming to keep the conversation informed, proactive and respectful. Disparaging comments aren’t welcome. And the group offers links to government agencies to contact for help.
An illegal campsite discovered in the woods behind the former site of Len’s Mill store, at the edge of Chillago Creek, was one site discussed with Cambridge politicians and local media during a hike in Hespeler trails on July 20. The site has since been cleared of large amounts of drug debris, as well as household items and goods scattered across the multilayer campsite.
The trail-safety awareness group gave the City of Cambridge a shout out on its Facebook group for sending its employees to safely remove drug debris, and for hiring cleanup company PuroClean to dispose of goods and garbage strewn across the site.
Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig, who attended the walk, said staff was already aware of the site, which was reported to members of the city’s ambassador teams. Plans were already underway to address it, he said.
Brian Geerts, the city’s manager of forests and horticulture, said the site was located on privately owned land, but permission was given for the city to attempt a cleanup.
“We did an initial, quick, needle sweep and cleanup at the beginning, and PuroClean went in and did the high-volume cleanup.”
The city started the clear-out July 19 but had to wait for assistance from Waterloo Regional Police, who dealt with campers still residing at the site.
“We had to get the campers out before we could get the initial cleanup done,” Geerts said.
Enforcement rules can depend on who owns the property, noted Geerts, as laws differ for each level of government and authority in charge.
Addressing illegal campsites is a moving target, and the public’s help is needed, he added.
“We still heavily rely on information from the public,” Geerts said. “The locations change all the time.”