*By signing this petition, you are agreeing to the comments below. We will be presenting this letter to the City of Keene at an upcoming date. Please note we are NOT collecting any money for this cause.*

We are writing to you today as concerned residents of Keene to formally address the growing presence of unauthorized encampments along our city’s bike trails and within wooded properties. While we recognize the complexity of the homelessness crisis facing our region, the current state of these public and private spaces has reached a point that compromises the safety, health, and accessibility of our community.

Many of us are lifelong residents of this area who have utilized the trails and wooded properties of Keene since childhood. We have fond memories of our younger years of biking, running, and exploring these areas without concern for our safety. As adults with our own children, we are disheartened that these opportunities feel diminished for our families. The atmosphere of these spaces has shifted, and we no longer feel comfortable allowing our children the same experiences we enjoyed.

As families who value the extensive trail network that makes Keene unique, including the Cheshire Rail Trail and the various connectors maintained by the city and organizations like Pathways for Keene, we have observed several critical issues that require urgent attention:

• Public Safety and Harassment: Many residents, including families and solo walkers, no longer feel safe using the trail systems. There have been increasing reports of unsafe behavior and trespassing on adjacent private wooded lots.
• Biohazardous Waste: The presence of discarded hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia is a direct threat to public health. This is particularly concerning in areas where children play or where pets are walked.
• Environmental Degradation: The accumulation of unmanaged trash, plastic waste, and human waste is damaging our local ecosystems and waterways. The "pack-in, pack-out" ethos of our trail system is being systematically ignored, leading to long-term environmental harm.
• Drug Activity: The open use of illicit substances within these camps creates a dangerous environment that attracts further criminal activity and discourages legitimate recreational use of city assets.

Our trails and wooded properties are a point of pride for Keene and a significant driver of our local economy and quality of life. Allowing these areas to become hubs for unsafe and unsanitary living conditions serves neither the residents nor the individuals experiencing homelessness, who are often living in high-risk environments themselves.

We respectfully urge the City Council and the City Manager’s office to:

1. Increase patrols and monitoring of the trail networks.
2. Enforce existing ordinances regarding camping on public land and trespassing on private property.
3. Coordinate immediate cleanup efforts to remove hazardous materials and refuse.
4. Strengthen partnerships with local social services to provide sustainable housing and addiction resources so that our public parks and trails are not used as a primary solution for shelter.

Thank you for your time and for your dedication to keeping Keene a safe and vibrant place to live. We look forward to hearing how the city intends to address these mounting concerns.