Hance Park groups press for park rangers; budget ties permit staffing to proposed ordinance

Representatives of Hance Park organizations and downtown business partners asked the Phoenix City Council on May 5 to fund a dedicated daily park‑ranger presence and other enforcement resources for Hance Park, citing ongoing encampment and public‑safety concerns.

Brent Stockwell, a registered lobbyist for Phoenix Community Alliance, and Leah Fragulia of the Hance Park Conservancy said a daily enforcement presence modeled on the Civic Space Park arrangement would help protect capital investments and make the park more accessible to visitors. "A safe park is an accessible park for everyone," Stockwell said.

Separately, city staff told the council the proposed budget includes $379,000 in ongoing funding to support the park services permit program and three positions: one administrative position in Parks to oversee permitting and two caseworker positions in the Office of Homeless Solutions to coordinate onsite services and medical provider outreach. Staff emphasized that the funding is contingent on the council approving the park services permit ordinance at a subsequent meeting; if the ordinance does not pass, the staff said the dollars would be recommended for reallocation in the revised city manager's budget.

During council Q&A, park and homeless‑services staff said the two Office of Homeless Solutions positions would focus on outreach at permanent park events, connecting medical providers, and linking people to shelter and treatment beds. Parks staff said they will monitor permit volumes and return with updates if demand exceeds initial estimates.

What happens next: The park services permit ordinance was scheduled for a vote at a subsequent meeting; council members were given opportunity to review implementation details before that vote and the proposed staffing changes are tied to the ordinance’s passage.