The city of Mexico is discussing the possibility of eliminating tent camping at Lakeview Park but it may go even further.

The issue was brought up by the Parks and Recreation Department because of a problem with people who are homeless living in the park in tents. The issue has escalated to a point where some locals won’t use the park and some campers are staying away. 

City Council Member Larry Webber said at the council’s last meeting on Aug. 14, he told family friends visiting from out of state to park their camper somewhere else because of the issues.

“I didn’t recommend it because there was tent junk everywhere,” Webber said. “It’s just a disaster. I hated it like heck telling them not to use our park. In good conscious I could not tell them to do that.”

According to City Parks and Recreation Director Chad Shoemaker, one camper disrobed in public, there are several instances of public drug use, and often RV campers get into physical and shouting conflicts with the tent campers.

City Manager Bruce Slagle said the city’s prosecutor, Melissa Buckman Young, has proposed an ordinance that would prohibit tent camping anywhere in the city including resident’s yards. Slagle said there’s nothing wrong with throwing up a tent in the backyard for the kids over a weekend but there are some homes in the city that have perpetual tents.

“We are also having tents going up in people’s yards and staying for very extended periods,” Slagle said.

The proposal was viewed more as a tool to get homeless people out of the parks by some on the council. Council Member Chris Miller said the ordinance should say all camping.

“Is that going to take care of some of our homeless?” Miller asked.

“That’s what I’m thinking let’s get ahead of the curve,” Council Member Chris Williams added.