City clears Belle Park courts as eviction notices force campers to move

The City says it is preparing courts citywide for seasonal use, including at Belle Park.

The City of Kingston has started clearing the tennis and pickleball courts at Belle Park, forcing about 15 people to move their tents.

The Whig-Standard reports City bylaw officers issued eviction notices Thursday afternoon, giving residents until 8 p.m. to leave. Many packed up and moved deeper into the park.

The courts had become a temporary home for campers seeking a flat, dry, and fenced area. A food tent from the Katarokwi Union of Tenants was moved to the courts earlier in the week to escape muddy conditions.

On Friday, volunteers and campers cleaned up debris while a lawyer from the Kingston Community Legal Clinic spoke with the City to challenge the evictions.

The City says it is preparing courts citywide for seasonal use, including at Belle Park. Signs now prohibit tents within 10 metres of the courts.

Kingston has over 600 homeless residents but only 120 shelter spaces, according to local advocates.news1 Moved File from Markets\ON East\Holding to Markets\Kingston\Holding @ 04/07/25 05:39 AM