The new location of the City of Kelowna's overnight sheltering area on Baillie Avenue is getting a thumbs down from some Rail Trail users.
It's tucked away behind the Tree Fruits in an industrial area of Kelowna's north end, but it happens to be right beside the Rail Trail.
"I looked down and my dogs were walking beside me and I saw a needle laying right beside the trail," said Reeny Chew. She walks the section before work in the morning and now she has safety concerns.
"Especially with my dogs I don't always watch where they're walking. It could have been a child that I was walking with. So that concerned me."
Her friend and fellow dog walker, Lori Pierson shares her concerns. "It seems like not a great location," said Pierson.
"When we come walking along here, there were a few unsecured large dogs. For me, that's a concern with my dog," she added.
The pair have contacted the city about their concerns. And while there was a fair amount of mess early in the morning, when we met them in the early afternoon things looked pretty tidy.
"Looking around right now," admitted Chew, "it has been cleaned up which is good."
Still, they believe the city could have found a better spot, and not just for users, but the people who need a place to shelter. "It's very windy and uncomfortable," observed Pierson, who didn't feel right picking her way around the tents in the morning. "I don't want to impinge on their space either," she said.
The pair say, they're sympathetic toward the people who need the space, but question the Rail Trail location.
"I think it could be like more away from the public," explained Chew. "I think the trail here is mean to be a tourist attraction."
City spokesperson Darren Caul admits the location is imperfect. "Safety, security and health at and around the overnight sheltering site is our top priority," he said. "This is the third overnight site we've established," added Caul. "With each site, we listen to the concerns of those impacted and each site presents unique challenges."
As for the needle, Caul adds that crews to a clean-up every morning and that includes picking up sharps.
Caul said refinements are already being made based on initial feedback and the observations of city staff.
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