BEND, OR -- The Bend Park and Recreation District is getting more reports of people camping in its natural areas, like Shevlin Park. "This time of year - I think it's more of a seasonal type of situation - that is several times a week, if not a daily occurrence that we're getting those reports," says the district's Julie Brown. "We do not allow any camping on Bend Park and Recreation District property."

Brown says all parks have hours of operation, "Typically, that's from dawn to dusk. Some of them, it's from a specific time, maybe it's 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. And, therefore, when our park properties are closed, they're closed to everyone."

Like many agencies, Bend Parks and Rec has studied the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing camping bans on public property. Brown says, "For us, it's not really changing our approach to how we are trying to respond to use of our property or the support or connections that we try to make for houseless individuals with resources that are available to them." She tells KBND News, "Our staff members do our very best to respectfully contact individuals and/or inform them of the rules." She adds, "They may see them on a very regular basis and have somewhat of a basis of a relationship that we may be able to help make some of those contacts that some of those others - maybe law enforcement might not be able to have quite the same success."

Brown says parks visitors should not attempt to deal with campers on their own. Reports can be made by calling the district office at 541-389-7275. 

Photo: A camper is discovered in Shevlin Park; July 2024.