Vernon Council Agrees to Ban Overnight Sheltering at Hidden Park

April 18 2026 - Residents near Vernon's Hidden Park achieved a successful outcome at Vernon City Council on Monday, April 13, 2026, when councillors unanimously directed staff to add the small neighbourhood park to the city’s list of locations where temporary overnight sheltering is prohibited.

https://youtu.be/odduC5ne-xs

The delegation told Vernon Council neighbours of Hidden Park are not unsympathetic to people experiencing homelessness, but by practical concerns about the park’s suitability for overnight use.

Drake Mason, who lives adjacent to Hidden Park, presented a petition signed by more than 100 local residents and business owners.

He told council the request was not opposed to people experiencing homelessness, but driven by practical concerns about the park’s suitability for overnight use.

Mason highlighted several reasons for adding Hidden Park to the exempt list, including:

• Escalating safety issues such as fire hazards from open flames in a heavily treed, enclosed space, discarded sharps and hazardous waste, and disturbances.

• Significant environmental impacts, including garbage accumulation, soil damage, tree chopping for firewood, and pollution entering the sensitive BX Creek.

• Poor visibility and complete lack of lighting at night, which makes monitoring, outreach, and emergency response extremely difficult.

• Loss of the park as a usable green space for families, seniors, and children, many of whom now avoid the area.

  
  

Vernon Mayor and Council - From left Mayor Victor Cumming, Councillor Kelly Fehr, Councillor Kari Gares, Councillor Akbal Mund, Councillor Brian Quiring, Councillor Teresa Durning, Councillor Brian Guy

Staff reported that bylaw complaints related to Hidden Park have risen in recent years, with approximately 40 calls for service annually in the last two years, mostly connected to street-entrenched individuals.

Vernon’s current policy (since 2017) allows temporary overnight sheltering (dusk to 9 a.m., with shelters removed by morning) in most parks, but prohibits it in specifically listed locations.

Prior to this meeting, there were 8 prohibited parks. Adding Hidden Park will bring the total to 9.

One councillor apologized that Hidden Park had not been included on the restricted list from the start, acknowledging the impacts on nearby residents.

Council voted 7-0 to direct staff to prepare the bylaw amendment.

Mayor Victor Cumming cautioned residents that the change will not happen immediately. “This is government after all,” he said, noting that the formal bylaw modification must return to council for final approval (likely at the April 27 meeting) before taking effect.

Staff were also asked to assess the current state of Hidden Park for potential cleanup.The decision keeps Vernon’s approach of identifying specific parks unsuitable for overnight sheltering due to safety, environmental, or neighbourhood concerns, while maintaining time-limited sheltering options elsewhere.

During discussion, staff indicated that Polson Park remains the most troublesome location for encampments and related issues in the city which represent about 40% of park related bylaw calls.

The city is currently advancing a Polson Park Revitalization Plan, with public engagement underway to guide long-term improvements and restoration of the park and Vernon Creek.