Fairfax pressured to abate camp near ballfield

Fairfax residents are lodging complaints that a camp of homeless people is encroaching on the downtown ballfield.

Some residents have asked the Town Council for an ordinance to remove the camp next to Contratti Park.

Alex Kunz, board president of the West Marin Little League, said the campers have irked teams since 2021, but recently interactions have become unpredictable and concerning.

“We’ve had too many disturbances resulting in terrified children on the baseball field and calls to the police,” Kunz said. “It’s time for the Town Council to enforce its existing laws and move the encampment away.”

The baseball league, which includes hundreds of youths between the ages of 5 and 15, serves San Anselmo, Fairfax and western Marin. Teams use the field for games and practices.

Town Manager Heather Abrams said the council will consider developing of an anti-camping ordinance at its meeting on Nov. 6. The agenda also includes potential housing plans involving the county and nonprofit service providers.

Town officials released a report on homelessness on Wednesday. It said the camp near the ballfield has four or five regular residents. Most homeless people in Fairfax live elsewhere, it said.

A “point in time” survey this year counted 17 homeless people in Fairfax. Prior surveys counted 13 in 2022, five in 2019 and 17 in 2015.

Councilmember Chance Cutrano said the council is committed to working with all stakeholders to house the homeless residents.

“Homelessness remains one of the most challenging issues facing our community, region and state, and I deeply empathize with our residents’ concerns about safety in our public spaces,” he said. “While the Town Council has successfully housed several individuals through county partnerships and case management support, we recognize the current situation behind the ballfield isn’t sustainable.”

Residents organized a protest at the Parkade along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard on Wednesday with more than 100 people calling on the town to take action, said resident Sean Fitzgerald.

“There is too much conflict in this place that is supposed to be a children’s play space,” he said. “We are asking that the park be restored for kids to play baseball and for residents to walk through without fear.”

Fitzgerald said youths have been confronted by camp residents and made to feel uncomfortable. He said police responses have not solved the problem.

“Peri Park is occupied by a handful of people suffering mental illness and hard drug addiction,” he said. “They are camping in the middle of our children’s park and baseball field.”

Councilmember Stephanie Hellman said she is “optimistic we will move forward with enforcing the current Fairfax ordinance restricting use of the area after dark and explore a no-camping policy at that particular site as well.”

“As we proceed I hope we do so thoughtfully and humanely and renew the area for full community benefit,” she said.

Robbie Powelson, an advocate for homeless people, said the camp is well maintained by its occupants.

“The camp has a long history of responsible leadership that has proactively collaborated with neighbors and city officials to keep the area clean and safe,” he said.