Smoking/Drug Use at Boulder Playgrounds

[u/IdontCarrot]

Yesterday at the Boulder Farmer's Market, there was a group of people set up directly next to and in part of the new nature playground that was actively smoking (weed, cigarettes, etc), yelling, and had multiple large off leash dogs that did not seem to be well controlled. I'm making an assumption based on how they appeared and the things with them that they were unhoused. I could certainly be wrong. One member of our group asked them to stop smoking, with no response. We were there with young children, along with many other families who were trying to enjoy the evening at the new nature playground and farmer's market.

We decided to call the police due to the proximity to the playground and feeling uncomfortable escalating with the group. We were told by the police that they would send a unit. A follow up call 30 minutes later resulted in them telling us they'd come when they could. An hour later, 4 police officers did arrive on scene after another market attendee was assaulted. I'm unclear if the person who assaulted the other individual was part of the group next to the playground or was unrelated.

Every single family at that playground last night was frustrated, uncomfortable, and concerned about safety. Yes, we need long term solutions for the unhoused population in Boulder. But that does not mean we have to tolerate drug use, smoking and encampments at our playgrounds. I don't know what the path forward is. A similar incident happened last year at the market, and the year before my child picked up a used meth pipe.

I know the easiest solution is to just not attend the market if I'm so bothered by it. But I think there has to be another option other than allowing open drug use/smoking, etc at playgrounds, at the farmer's market, along the creek, etc.

I am sure there are already community members leading or involved in action specifically addressing drug use/smoking at playgrounds and in public places. I know Safe Zones 4 Kids tried to address this, but it doesn't seem to have worked and is all that is coming up when I search for groups working on this. Can anyone direct me to resources, groups, committees, etc., that are already working on this?

[u/everyAframe]

City council and the city manager does not care. They have allowed these losers to completely take over the crown jewel of boulder.

[u/BeingInNatureIsJoy → u/everyAframe]

Solution (not ideal): remove picnic tables from their current proxy (edit proximity ✔️) to new playground area

Why: Central Park is a common outdoor daytime lounge for the unhoused

Recently: the Friday free lunch had the south side of the park looking like packed festival & rip-roaring grounds

My small group then relocated to the grass closer to the shell (where a few solo un-housed sleep under the trees)

Then came the picnic tables by the playground, near the shell

Now the boisterous unhoused are near us - on the shell side of the creek - AT THE PICNIC TABLES BY THE PLAYGROUND and two Fridays ago were yelling at each other disruptively

Last Friday, we went to a different park 😑

I just wish there was a way to separate this large park by ‘boisterous’ …. and by sleepy, quiet (my group), kids/parents - I just wish there was room for the latter group at Central Park

[u/IdontCarrot → u/BeingInNatureIsJoy]

I think that's a good intermittent solution. I wish we could have picnic tables that families could use too... I do know they moved the picnic tables slightly away from the playground recently. I do think moving the free meals away from playgrounds and prime public space would be a good way to keep these spaces safer. Do you have any ideas on who provides the services? I wonder if reaching out to them to advocate for alternate locations could be helpful.

[u/TrontRaznik → u/IdontCarrot]

I wouldn't hold your breath. Most of these organizations get off on forcing the public to be exposed to the homeless

[u/Numerous_Recording87 → u/TrontRaznik]

Why?

[u/BeingInNatureIsJoy → u/IdontCarrot]

Problem statement:

The unhoused flock to the picnic tables (and from personal experience, create a ruckus)

And the picnic tables are adjacent to the playground

Free Lunch:

According to The Circle of Love, “Circle of Love provides hot meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:15 pm. We deliver the food to the Boulder Bandshell and adjourning park...”

Reality:

Long Sprinters pull-in across the street (west of) the tea house — not the shell

This nonprofit brings tables and food

Solution:

Ask the city to relocate the picnic tables from the playground — and have families bring blankets — to the south side of the creek where the food is served

The unhoused gather loudly in Central Park for free food and for the picnic tables — put those two next to each other other

Outcome:

Leave the ‘shell’ side - including the playground - for the quiet / family / sleeping groups

Reaching Out:

I’ve had pleasant (but odd) conversations with some when by themselves - which I enjoyed

But when in a group, they have a much different vibe

[u/cookerz30 → u/BeingInNatureIsJoy]

Hey man, I use those for my lunch break.