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City outlines Safe and Managed Public Spaces approach to rough sleeping in parks
Summary
Parks staff summarized the city’s Safe and Managed Public Spaces (SAMPS) effort to reduce hazards and impacts from unsanctioned camping in parks, describing a four‑step notice/cleanup/maintenance protocol, new urban rangers and cross‑departmental outreach to prioritize life‑safety locations and vulnerable people.
City parks staff described Safe and Managed Public Spaces (SAMPS) — the City of Boulder strategy for addressing the impacts of people sleeping outside in parks — and told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board the program continues to emphasize safety, outreach and restoration over enforcement alone.
Director Allie Rhodes summarized the multi‑department approach and recent operational changes, including an in‑house operations crew (previously contracted), a restored urban ranger program and coordinated outreach with Housing & Human Services and the police department.
Why it matters: staff said unsanctioned camping in parks can create fire and biohazard risks, harm sensitive park habitat and increase vulnerability for people sleeping outside. The city’s approach balances outreach and service‑connections with public‑space protections and restoration.
Program basics and enforcement steps
Staff described a four‑step process: reports are triaged and prioritized; sites selected for action receive a 72‑hour posted notice so occupants can move or access services; on cleanup day outreach and offers of case management occur and remaining material is removed; staff then perform maintenance and environmental restoration.
Prioritization factors for action include reports of violence or crime, life‑safety hazards (for example, camps in creek channels or under bridges), proximity to schools and repetitive site occupancy. Rhodes highlighted flood risk as a major local life‑safety driver: “We are the number 1 city for flash flood risk in the state,” she said, noting Boulder Creek and adjacent drainage corridors concentrate encampments.
Rangers, partnerships and outcomes
Staff said the in‑house operations crew and newly funded urban ranger positions have improved response speed and continuity; rangers focus on education, outreach, event support and safety monitoring, and they have been present at high‑use civic spaces and markets. The city said the program includes data dashboards and public materials describing goals and outcomes.
Staff emphasized SAMPS is not a substitute for homelessness reduction efforts led by Housing & Human Services and made clear the program’s immediate aim is to reduce hazards and maintain park access for all residents.
Board questions and next steps
Board members asked about how the city will handle episodic summertime gatherings that create disorder in parks and how park activation and design (for example at North Boulder Park or the Civic Area) could reduce problematic behavior. Staff said design and activation — including youth engagement programs — are part of the solution, and that future board briefings will include program outcomes and any changes to staffing or funding.
