PORT TOWNSEND — City Councilwoman Freida Fenn is pitching an idea to allow temporary camping for the homeless at Chimacum Park.
Fenn asked the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Committee to consider keeping the park’s campground open to the homeless in the winter offseason.
The Jefferson County park is next to the Tri-Area Community Center and north of the Chimacum schools campus. It is normally closed until spring.
The committee will discuss the issue at a time to be scheduled later this month.
Acting as a liaison for the city of Port Townsend’s Affordable Housing Committee, Fenn told county parks committee members that the Chimacum Park location is ideal because of its proximity to the Jefferson County Food Bank at the community center.
The proposal, however, raised questions on whether it is appropriate to set up a campground for the homeless next to Chimacum schools — and how neighbors would respond.
“I am hoping it could be worked out,” Fenn said in an interview.
“The big issue that comes up with this is that homeless people could be criminals.
“I worked in the homeless shelter for several years, and that sure did burn up my notion.”