King County’s Cold Creek park is a natural area that locals cherish for walks, picnics and more. But not lately, according to one local lawmaker.

The county has converted the park into a homeless camp &#8212 something that King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert opposes. She further argues the county implemented the camp illegally.

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“They’ve taken over one of the parks in my district and also the shelter (in the park),” Lambert told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson. “This is a very small park used by the community. It’s in a place with no sidewalks and it’s very dark. A lot of the neighbors at night take their dogs to run there. They won’t be able to do that because the park now is completely taken over by tents &#8212 15 of them &#8212 and parking is down to two slots. And the shelter is completely filled with supplies for the 15 tents.”

The Cold Creek Natural Area is a King County park with 250 acres of habitat for birds and wildlife. It is located near Woodinville and Redmond, offering walking trails, a picnic shelter and barbeque facilities.

The homeless encampment that has taken over the park is sponsored by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church which is located across the street.

Despite the camp getting a conditional use permit, Lambert said that it does not legally allow the homeless to use the spot. Rather, a temporary use permit needs to be issued by the county.

“They haven’t enforced the law as it is written,” she said, noting that no notice was given to the community about the plan to place a homeless encampment in the park.

Lambert said the county executive, Dow Constantine, should order the sheriff to clear out the park of campers until proper permitting and a public process has occurred. Dori also noted that the church sponsoring the camp is located across the street, and they should consider putting the tents up in their own parking lot.

“The executive needs to work with the church on whatever the obstacle is for them to do that,” Lambert said.

Bringing in churches to help with the county’s homeless is a big part of Lambert’s message on the issue. Lambert has previously said the Seattle region is taking on other communities’ homeless problems from across the state and country. She believes that the county needs to bring in help from private organizations, such as churches, and implement a plan to ship homeless out of the area to where their families are.

King County responds

Director of King County Parks Kevin Brown told KIRO Radio that the Cold Creek encampment is Camp Unity. So far, the group got one required permit, but is awaiting a tempory use permit.

Meetings usually are required prior to issuing temporary use permits, but since it has yet to be issued by the county, there has not been one. There has been a conversation with neighbors about the camp, however.

“There was a state of emergency called last fall, with respect to the homeless situation,” Brown said. “This group had another site that fell through at the last minute, so this was an emergency situation.”

“The other night we were at a public meeting where some folks did come and comment on the encampment,” he said. “The majority of folks there were supportive of it. There was one person who voiced opposition. But there were quite a few people who were supportive and who have met with the campers.”

Brown said the church across the street has been supportive by providing food and other facilities.

He noted that the park is not a popular destination at this time of year, and that there have been no reservations for the picnic shelter campers are currently using. But if someone wanted to reserve it, they could share it with the encampment.

“Cold Creek is about 250 acres. They are on about a half acre in the park. This time of year it is rarely used,” Brown said. “There is a picnic shelter at the site, and there is no scheduled use of it currently. The use of the site is minimal at this time.”

Brown said he visited the encampment Thursday to check on it. He said that things seem to be fine there, with little interruption.

“I was out there today and was able to easily park,” he said. “There were about 3-5 spots still available in a small park.”

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