HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-920 - Safe Camping Initiative (9)
CityClerk
From:Margaret Frost <MFrost@WashCoSOAR.gov>
Sent:Sunday, June 15, 2025 11:06 AM
To:Agenda Item Comment
Subject:Agenda item regarding proposed unhoused camp adjacent to Park Meadows
neighborhood
Categories:Forwarded, Jonathan
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Margaret Frost
1184 S Kingfisher Ln
Fayetteville AR 72701
Park Meadows Neighborhood
06/14/2025
Dear Mayor and Members of the Fayetteville City Council,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed unhoused camp adjacent to Kingfisher Lane. I
moved into our house on Kingfisher Lane about 5 years ago, during the Covid initiative when the city was
allowing unhoused campers on that property.
During that time, we had numerous issues. We frequently heard people fighting and once in while we would
hear gunshots. When our dog was in the backyard, people just behind the fence would yell at her and, on at
least one occasion, threaten to kill her. We frequently smelled burning trash. Several times a day, cars would
stop on the street in front of our house, next to a hole in the fence that the campers made to access the
encampment from our neighborhood. The cars would wait there for several minutes, then drive off. I don't
know if they were doing drug deals, waiting to pick up friends, or other things, but it was rarely the same
vehicle. Our POA fixed the hole in the fence several times and even tried to reinforce it, but every time people
at the camp would tear a hole in it again.
Several times while this was going on, my niece and nephew, ages 8 and 5 at the time, stayed with us for a few
days. They love to go camping and often asked to set up a tent in our backyard. Every time, I had to tell them,
“No,” because I was afraid for their safety since people just on the other side of the fence were fighting and
arguing. We also had several issues in the neighborhood with residents having their cars broken into and
packages stolen from their front porches.
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I finally started to feel safer in our house and neighborhood a couple of years ago, when the city started
policing the unhoused campers in the woods. Since then, traffic of people in the woods has slowed down a
lot. I now feel safer letting my niece and nephew spend time alone in our backyard, and I also am not afraid,
anymore, to let our dog in the backyard by herself.
I understand that you are trying to find a place to accommodate these people since the city plans to close the
encampment in the 19th St area; however, there are already 3 permanent shelters within walking distance of
our neighborhood: the Seven Hills Shelter at 915 South Seven Hills Court, the Seven Hills Homeless Center at
1832 South School Avenue, and the Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas at 219 West 15th Street. I think it
would be beneficial for the unhoused individuals to have the new camp in a location where there are not
already abundant resources for the unhoused. For example, the tree preservation between Laguna Loop and
Interstate 49, just north of 15th Street and near exit 62, might be a good option. Every day, there are several
unhoused people on the corners of the intersections by Exit 62. This would provide a place for them without
concentrating more people in an area that already has several shelters and a large unhoused population.
One additional consideration is that establishing an unhoused encampment directly behind our neighborhood
will likely decrease property values for hardworking citizens who are trying to improve their lives while
contributing to the community. For this to happen in a subdivision that is only about 6 years old would be a
significant hardship for the families and would probably deter potential new residents from moving here.
In summary, I request that the city not establish an authorized, permanent unhoused camp on the property
behind Kingfisher Lane. To do so would present great safety risks to the families, especially the children, in
our neighborhood, and would also impact the value of our houses.
Respectfully,
Margaret Frost
Park Meadows Resident
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