Current Encampment Response

Public complaints about tents or encampments on park property are taken by MPRB Customer Service Department by phone (612-230-6400) or email (info@minneapolisparks.org). If there is no indication of crime or immediate safety concerns, the complaint is referred to the MPRB Community Connections and Violence Prevention Department for follow-up. If there are any indications of violence, crime, or information that a person is a threat to themselves or others, that complaint is referred to the MPRB Park Police Department or 911.

The MPRB Community Connections and Violence Prevention Department is responsible for:

The Park Police Department’s role in encampment response is limited to the following:

Encampment Response May 2020 - June 2021

On June 12, 2020, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) began responding to the growing number of unsheltered people living in parks temporarily until dignified alternative spaces could be found. The MPRB worked with state, county and city health and human service agencies to find short, medium and long-term solutions.The MPRB and its partners worked to operationalize and adhere to Minnesota Executive Order 20-55 protecting the rights and health of at-risk populations during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency while EO 20-55 was in effect May 17, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Below are details about permits, services and actions during 2020 through June, 2021.

Temporary Permitted Encampments in 2020

In mid-July 2020, MPRB staff began working to get encampments temporarily permitted, reduce the number of park sites with encampments to no more than 20, and limit the number of tents to 25 tents per site, including tents for storage or support. Getting sites permitted in 2020, per Resolution 2020-267, was a fluid situation while outreach occurred, encampment permit applications were communicated and processed, and park spaces were delineated. Once temporary encampment permits were issued, regular outreach and engagement with permit holders and encampment occupants continued.

  • Final 2020 Temporary Encampment Permit applications were due in August 2020.
  • Permit applications were reviewed by MPRB staff and the site approved or rejected based on staff’s analysis of the park’s capacity to support an encampment and other guidelines outlined in Resolution 2020-267
  • Due to health and safety concerns the MPRB did not be renew or extend temporary encampment permits into cold weather, which occurred in October 2020 with temperatures below 30 degrees and snow.

The MPRB encouraged the use of available shelter spaces through Hennepin County and local agencies. According to Hennepin County, shelter beds became available every day.

Agencies Providing Resources – The MPRB encourages use of available shelter spaces. According to Hennepin County, shelter beds become available everyday, Board and Lodge beds are regularly available, and family shelter is always available.

  • Adult Shelter Connect (single adults), 612-248-2350
  • Hennepin County Shelter Team (family shelter), 612-348-9410
  • After-Hours Shelter Resources (family shelter), 651-291-0211
  • St. Stephen’s Outreach, 612-879-7624
  • St. Stephen’s Human Services, 612-874-0311

On-Site Services June 2020 to January 7, 2021

From June 2020 through January 7, 2021, MPRB staff provided a variety of increased park-related services at encampments throughout the city, including the following maintenance services

  • Amenities:  Portable restrooms, handwashing stations, and trash containers
  • Maintenance staffing: Increased staffing to support onsite management of site, pick up of trash and recycling, and cleaning of restrooms
  • Expanded service costs: $713, 856 from June 12- December 31, 2020 in rentals, contractual, restoration, and additional staff services

Timeline and Actions March 2020 to July 2021

July 1, 2021 – Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-55 is longer in effect.

May 6, 2021 – Governor Walz signs Minnesota Executive Order 21-21 safely sunsetting COVID-19 public health restrictions and rescinding many Emergency Executive Orders, with  Executive Order 20-55 to be rescinded by 11:59 pm June 30, 2021.  

February 3, 2021 – Park staff  provide an encampment financial update [PDF] and Commissioners approve Resolution 2021-122 which replaces and effectively repeals two previous resolutions on encampments in Minneapolis parks. The resolution ensures the Park Board will abide by all of the Governor’s executive orders and laws related to encampments and focuses our work with city and county partners on the shared goal to get unsheltered people into shelter and housing. The previous resolutions adopted by the Park Board allowed the Superintendent to issue permits for encampments. As the prior resolutions have been replaced, the Superintendent no longer has authority to issue permits for encampments.

Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-55, related to COVID and unsheltered people, remains in effect. Local governments, including the MPRB, may restrict, limit or close encampments only if there is sufficient alternate housing or shelter, or if an encampment has reached a size or status that is a documented threat to the health, safety, or security of residents. According to Hennepin County, emergency shelters beds become available every day, Board and Lodge beds are regularly available, and family shelter is always available. Since last June, Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and local non-profits have added hundreds of shelter beds by opening new facilities and expanding existing facilities.

January 7, 2021 – The MPRB cleaned the site of the former encampment at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, removing several unoccupied tents and other abandoned materials. Everyone at the Minnehaha encampment vacated the site by January 6, after the MPRB issued notices on December 31 and January 4 to vacate the site due to documented public health and safety concerns at the encampment. Minnehaha was the last of the MPRB encampments that had been issued temporary permits that ended in October 2020. MPRB outreach staff made almost daily visits to the site since October, consistently encouraging people to move into shelters and routinely finding available shelter spaces and offering them to encampment residents; however, most offers were declined.

January 6, 2021 – Superintendent Al Bangoura provides an update on park encampments [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

December 16, 2020– Superintendent Al Bangoura provides an update on park encampments [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

December 10 – The MPRB disbanded the encampment at The Mall. The disbandment follows significant documented public health and safety concerns at the encampment, and ongoing daily outreach efforts to encourage those living at the encampment to move to available shelter spaces. The morning of the disbandment, the eight people living on site were offered shelter assistance by Hennepin County and all but one of those offers were declined.

The MPRB issued notices on November 30 and December 7 to those living in tents at The Mall to vacate the encampment within 72 hours and move to alternative shelter. The notices stated that the narrow strip of land where tents are located is simply not safe for residents. The concerns range from multiple fires that resulted in at least one injury, a fatal overdose, crimes and violence, possible noise ordinance violations, and tents being within the plow wake zone (area where snow from the street is deposited during regular plowing operations) that would be a danger to camp residents in the event of large snow falls. Here is the MPRB’s full statement on The Mall disbandment.

December 2 – Superintendent Al Bangoura provides an update on park encampments [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

November 18 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on park encampments [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

November 4 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on park encampments [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

October 27 – Superintendent Al Bangoura provided an update on park encampments [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

October 19 – The MPRB issued a statement in response to a lawsuit filed in federal district court against Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and the MPRB related to encampments.

October 7 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on refuge spaces to people currently experiencing homelessness [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

September 24 – The MPRB cleared the encampment at Peavey Park in accordance with directives in a resolution unanimously approved by Park Board Commissioners in mid-July. The directives limit encampment sites and does not allow encampments to be located in safe school zones.

The MPRB issued notices to vacate on August 10 to those living in approximately 12 tents in Peavey Park. Hennepin County and park outreach staff were on site for several days offering assistance and providing transportation to other locations. Hennepin County and St. Stephens have since been on site multiple times to connect those living in the encampment to services and spaces available at nearby shelters. Efforts to clear the encampment without the use of law enforcement have been unsuccessful. Full details at Peavey Park encampment cleared in accordance with unanimous board directive.

September 16 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on refuge spaces to people currently experiencing homelessness [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

September 15 – Superintendent Al Bangoura provides the Board of Commissioners with an update on progress toward moving encampment occupants into shelter and housing suitable for winter conditions

September 2 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on refuge spaces to people currently experiencing homelessness [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

August 19 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on refuge spaces to people currently experiencing homelessness [PDF], with these remarks made by Superintendent Bangoura

August 14 – The MPRB cleared the west encampment at Powderhorn Park after notices to transition were served on July 31 and two weeks of MPRB outreach, transportation offers, and efforts to incrementally move those living in the remaining tents were unsuccessful. There have been significant crime and safety incidents at Powderhorn Park and the encampments in the park are within a safe school zone, which is not allowed per a resolution unanimously adopted by Park Board Commissioners on July 15. For full details: The Powderhorn Park encampment cleared after outreach and notices served.

August 10-12 —  This week the MPRB has begun expanding its work to remove encampments with documented crime, without temporary permits or in areas that cannot accommodate a temporary permit. The MPRB served Notices to Vacate on Monday, August 10, to those living in approximately 12 tents at Peavey Park and 12 tents at Elliott Park and on Tuesday, August 11, to those in 14 tents at Kenwood. All three encampments have had significant crime and safety incidents, including assaults. Peavey and Kenwood encampments are also located within safe school zones, which is not allowed per a resolution unanimously adopted by Park Board Commissioners in mid-July. The Elliott Park and Kenwood Park encampments were cleared on Wednesday, August 12.

On Tuesday evening, August 11, there were 35 rounds fired from multiple guns at Peavey Park; no witnesses have come forward and no injuries were reported. On September 2, online and in-person classes resume at K-12 Hope Academy, located adjacent to Peavey Park. For full details: Notices served at Peavey, Elliott and Kenwood Park encampments; Elliott and Kenwood encampments cleared.

August 7 – MPRB distributes news release and announcement to email subscribers, Minneapolis park staff name 16 parks as permitted or capable of accommodating temporary encampments, and leadership staff share how we got here.

August 5 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on refuge spaces to people currently experiencing homelessness [PDF], with these remarks  made by Superintendent Bangoura.

July 31 – MPRB distributes news release and announcement to email subscribers

July 31 – Notices of Transition were served to those living in the estimated 65 tents in the west encampment and elsewhere in Powderhorn Park. The notices informed occupants they will not be able to stay in the park. This transition is the result of significant on-going crime and safety concerns and the encampment’s location within a safe school zone prohibits it from being one of 20 park Refuge Sites per Resolution 2020-267 adopted by the Board of Commissioners on July 15.

The Notice of Transition does not set a deadline for complete removal of the estimated 65 tents that remain in the park (down from 560 tents July 9). The MPRB wants to encourage, through transition and the collaboration of supportive partners, an incremental removal of the any encampments at Powderhorn Park, and only engage Park Police to support other’s work and/or when it has been demonstrated through repeated instances of engagement that other methods of vacating the encampments have failed. Here is additional information related to this action.

July 18-20 –  On Friday July 18, Superintendent Al Bangoura directed that notifications be served to individuals in the Powderhorn east encampment in the interest of the safety of encampment occupants and neighborhood residents. Notices informed those at the encampment they needed to vacate the east encampment within 72 hours (afternoon of Monday July 20). The MPRB coordinated with Hennepin County Social Services staff and local non-profit outreach providers to aid encampment occupants transition to other opportunities. According to Superintendent Al Bangoura, “There have been growing safety issues at the east encampment at Powderhorn Park. Many homeless individuals, service agencies, and volunteers had already left the east encampment last week out of concern for their safety. The risks to those unsheltered and to residents have risen to an unacceptable level.” Here is some additional information regarding MPRB recent actions related to this action. 

July 17 – MPRB distributes news release and announcement to email subscribers: Minneapolis Park Board approves guidelines, process, and limitations for park encampments 

July 15 – Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2020-267 amending adopted Resolution 2020-253 to limit the total number of parks available for temporary encampments and provide direction for the design and facilitation of temporary encampments in parks that supports the health and safety of individuals experiencing homelessness and preserves access to recreation features for park visitors, with three amendments. One amendment added language to have the staff analysis of park sites conform to school zone laws. Another amendment removed the resolve clause granting special permission to Powderhorn Park foregoing the size limits, so Powderhorn will be treated like all other parks. Another amendment  was added to state if any condition under Executive Order 20-55 exists wherein the judgement of the Superintendent that there exists a documented threat to the health, safety or security of residents, the Superintendent may restrict, limit or close encampment spaces based on exigent circumstances.

July 15 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on refuge spaces to people currently experiencing homelessness

July 10 – MPRB distributes news release and announcement to email subscribers: Minneapolis Park Board to consider resolution providing guidelines for park encampments

July 1 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and staff provide an update on refuge spaces to people currently experiencing homelessness.

July 1 – During approval of the agenda for the regular meeting, MPRB Commissioners removed Resolution 2020-263 amending adopted Resolution 2020-253 to define a duration for the Board of Commissioners’ declaration of refuge space in Minneapolis Parks terminating on September 1, 2020, limit the number of parks with encampments to no greater than ten parks, and reduce the number of tents to no more than ten tents in any encampment in a Minneapolis park.

June 19 – MPRB distributes news release and announcement to email subscribers: MPRB Commissioners pass resolution allowing people currently experiencing homelessness to stay in Minneapolis parks

June 17 – MPRB Commissioners approve Resolution 2020-253 declaring the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board’s commitment to provide refuge space to people currently experiencing homelessness while continuing to work with the State, County, City, Non-Profit Organizations and other interested parties to identify long term housing solutions for people at the Powderhorn encampment and others throughout the city.

June 17 – Superintendent Al Bangoura provides an overview of MPRB’s response to homelessness in Minneapolis Parks.

June 12 – Superintendent Al Bangoura and key MPRB staff begin having daily conversations with city, county and state agencies who serve people experiencing homelessness.

June 12 – After issuing notifications to people in approximately 25 tents at Powderhorn Park, Superintendent Al Bangoura was contacted by the MN Interagency Council on Homelessness, park commissioners and community members and, based on their concerns, issues the following statement: “The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is rescinding its notifications issued this morning for those experiencing homelessness who recently set up in parks. The MPRB believes everyone experiencing unsheltered homelessness is vulnerable and deserving of being treated with dignity and respect. I had hoped to use the next 72 hours to work with local leaders and local agencies to find the resources and connect people to the housing, shelter and services they need, but now recognize that 72 hours is not enough time. Encampments represent a serious health and safety risk – particularly for those staying within the encampment – and do not represent a dignified form of shelter.  I am committed to working with the community, local leaders and state agencies on a solution.”

 June 10 – Following the eviction of 200-300 people from the Midtown Sheraton Hotel who had been experiencing homelessness and had been staying at the hotel, a growing number of people began setting up tents in Powderhorn Park and other parks located throughout the city.

May 17 – Minnesota Executive Order 20-55 protecting the rights and health of at-risk populations during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency takes effect. The executive order includes the statement that if a local government entity is providing sufficient alternate housing, shelter, or encampment space that complies with the MDH guidance, Homeless Services Settings: Interim Guidance for Providers, and the CDC guidance, Responding to COVID-19 Among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness, or if an encampment has reached a size or status that is a documented threat to the health, safety, or security of residents, state or local governments may restrict, limit, or close encampment spaces.

March 27 – Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to Stay at Home takes effect. The executive order includes the statement that individuals without a home are exempt from the restrictions in this Executive Order, and they may move between emergency shelters, drop-in centers, and encampments. And that encampments should not be subject to sweeps or disbandment by state or local governments, as such sweeps or disbandment increase the potential risk and spread of COVID-19.

Information for Partner Organizations

Hennepin County 
City of Minneapolis
State of Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness