Glendale planners discuss camping on town property; signage and mapping proposed

Glendale’s planning group spent substantial time on May 13 discussing reports that people are camping on town‑owned property and exploring low‑cost ways to deter overnight stays, including signage and outreach.

The chair introduced an ordinance topic on camping at town sites after members said people had been ‘‘camping there, setting up’’ on town property. Committee members suggested posting 'No camping' signs to enable law enforcement to issue tickets and to make enforcement clearer.

Members noted a lack of public restrooms as a factor in overnight stays and discussed online campsite maps — referred to in the meeting as 'dirt.com' or spelled 'D Y R T' — that list permissive camping locations. A committee member said the group should check whether local spots appear on those listings and consider whether flagging or damage to sites might reduce use.

The body also discussed specific locations mentioned in the meeting, including the ball field and a gravel pit on Mount Carmel, and debated whether repeat stays at the ball field represented the same people or rotating visitors. Staff and committee members agreed to add the signage/camping item to the next regular board agenda so the town can order signs and determine enforcement steps.

Next steps: staff will prepare the camping/signage item for the regular board meeting and look into whether local sites are listed on public campsite‑mapping sites; no ordinance language or enforcement schedule was finalized at this meeting.