This fact sheet invites non-profit organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), and advocates to think through multiple perspectives on how unhoused people resting, living, and gathering in parks affects overall park access and use compassionately and practically.
Parks are places where people can recreate, learn, gather, and rest, including individuals who do not have homes. Some of the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness turn to public parks as a sanctuary for safety and rest. At its core, Safe Routes to Parks seeks to increase park usage and improve health for people of all ages, races, abilities, disabilities, and income levels, and as a concept, does not discriminate against unhoused people.
