CHAIN LAKE PARK PETITION

To Halifax City Council.
We the residents of District 9 are requesting the Chain Lake Park be removed as a potential site for a designated tent
encampment, for the following reasons:
We do agree that there is no easy solution. We are sympathetic to the challenges faced by the unhoused population
and City Council. We do believe there are better solutions that can prioritize the well-being of both the individuals
living rough and our communities. We also know this is a Provincial responsibility under the Department of
Infrastructure and Housing and Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Chain Lake Park, meets many of the criteria (sited on pages 3 & 4 from the minutes of the Halifax Regional Council
meeting of July 9,2024) as an “unsuitable” location and therefore should be removed from the proposed designated
encampment.
We find the following reasons for removal:
Locations cannot be:
1) “near environmentally or culturally sensitive areas”
• Chain Lake Park is in VERY close proximity to a stream that feeds into Chocolate Lake and the North West
Arm. There is a high risk of contamination due to the unsanitary conditions that can exist in encampments
drug use, human feces and uncontained garbage. This stream also supports wildlife in the area.
• 
The Proposed Encampment is next to the city’s secondary water supply, Chain Lake.
It must remain clean and safe for emergency use. On July1,2024 we had a boil water order for two days.
• There is a fence surrounding Chain Lake but it is not monitored properly. People have been seen climbing
the fence on several occasions. There is a repeated history of holes being cut in the chain link fence along
the trail on Crown Drive.
2) “proximity to services and supports residents need”
• Chain Lake Park has limited essential services within walking distance, available to encampment residents.
No sanitation facilities.
3) “site safety”
• Chain Lake Park has a high potential for crime and vandalism for both the residents of the encampment and
those in surrounding neighborhoods. This park is isolated making safety of its residents, a huge concern for
all
• The city is not enforcing Halifax By-Law P600,” Respecting Municipal Parks”. Section 8 of this By-Law
clearly states the conditions of camping in Municipal Parks.
• Section 8 (2) states “No person shall erect or place in a park anything for the purpose of temporary or
permanent accommodation without permission”.
• We know permission has been given ONLY to the designated encampment sites. The city needs to enforce
this By- Law and remove illegal tents that are erected in non-designated areas, within a reasonable time.
One tent soon becomes many. We make reference to the illegal tent that was erected on August 6, 2024,
on the corner of Brook St. and Crown Dr. It has been there for over a week. Currently, a strong smell of
urine is apparent when passing this tent.

CHAIN LAKE PARK PETITION

Safety Concerns
FIRE is a major concern.
Chain Lake Park is surrounded by woods. The only buffer between the park & nearby neighborhoods is the Chain of
Lakes Trail. The Trail is bordered by grass and woods. There are many fallen, decomposing trees surrounding the
park from past storms. It would only take one spark to cause irreversible damage and devastation. One open fire or
even a misplaced cigarette could repeat what happened in Hammonds Plains & Upper Tantallon last summer,
displacing 16,000 residents. In May 2023, only due to a wind change our neighborhood avoided the wild fires.
Has a fire assessment been done for Chain Lake Park?
Safety on the trail
There will be a lack of safety for all users on the Chain of Lakes Trail and surrounding areas. A survey done in 2013
stated there were 180,000 “uses” on the trail per year. Trail use has increased significantly over the past 11years.
The safety of the more vulnerable users comes into question; children, women with young children and women
jogging alone, may be at risk.
Children walking to and from school, after school clubs in District 9 and daycares use the trail, park and the stream.
The stream has also been used by after school science clubs.
Children using the trail and cutting through the woods may be at risk. How many children do you know who would
listen when told,” It’s not safe to walk through the woods? “
We don’t want to learn from tragedy, we want to avoid an incident before it happens. Prevention is key. Putting an
encampment in Chain Lake Park has too many risks. It will not be safe, and doesn’t meet the criteria for an
encampment.
Safety within the encampment and surrounding area
We reference the staff report submitted to Council on June 4, 2024. It states “One of the challenges of designated
locations is the behavior exhibited by those staying in them and those around them.” “The challenge of any type of
rule or guideline is that there must be someone to enforce it and consequences in place for when a person does not
adhere to the code of conduct”.
Incidents of theft, prostitution, drug trafficking, substance abuse, loud parties after hours, harassments, physical
altercations and chasing city staff off the premises, have all been reported.
The report suggestions a code of conduct could help to address these issues but it notes that a problem with any
guidelines, is that there must be enforcement and consequences for people who do not follow the rules.
All citizens must follow the city By-Laws and rules or suffer the consequences. Why are these same By-Laws not
enforced in the encampments? The isolated location of the proposed Chain Lake Park encampment will escalate this
type of activity. We recognize the city is preparing a code of conduct for the encampments. ENFORCEMENT is key,
creating safety for all residents, those in the camps and those living in the surrounding areas.

CHAIN LAKE PARK PETITION

FINAL NOTES
Was the Chain Lake Park viewed subjectivity? The unique characteristics of this park should have been reason
enough to remove Chain Lake Park from the encampment list.
Referenced on page 4 in the Council minutes: “In addition to technical considerations, a subjective review is also
required as specific circumstances or unique aspects of a site can alter the viability of a location.”
We do note, on page 3 in the Council minutes, that staff have NOT done thorough reviews of Municipally owned nonpark sites. We believe parks should not be the only sites considered for encampment use. Green spaces in our city
should be protected for everyone's’ use.
We would like a thorough subjective review conducted regarding Chain Lake Park and request a written copy of the
completed report.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
The residents of District 9

Referenced:
Item No. 15.1.9
Halifax Regional Council
July 9, 2024

Subject: Homelessness Update July/2024
Strategic Opportunities to Address Homelessness
Council Report - 12 –
June 4, 2024