The issue of camping in the marshes of La Crosse has sparked fervent debate among residents, with opinions ranging from concerns about safety and cleanliness to calls for compassion and better solutions for homelessness.
Resident Bob Weathers voiced his opinion, stating, “Nobody should be living in conditions like those that are in a marsh. I think there must be a better solution for the city of La Crosse to come up with than just abandoning these people and practically forcing them to live in the marsh.”
The controversy stems from an amended ordinance last summer, which designated city parks as “no camping zones.” Subsequently, an extended ban led to the clearance of a homeless encampment near Riverside Park and the new River Point development, prompting many individuals to relocate to the marsh and bike trail area along Copeland Avenue.
Resident Caitlyn Konze criticized the city’s approach, stating, “The history of the first ordinance update has been to kick people out, then they scatter, they go to another space, then kick them out again. In my opinion, the fact that we have people in this area is directly a result of the city’s actions.”
During a community meeting, residents had the opportunity to voice their opinions, with speakers both supporting and opposing the marsh camping ban.
Concerns about safety were raised by residents living near the trail, who cited issues such as accumulating garbage, fires in the marsh, and drug needles along the trail as frequent problems.
However, amidst these concerns, there was also a recognition of the human aspect of the issue. Local resident Luke Sampson emphasized empathy, stating, “Human beings only know what they know. If you never experience what it’s like to be homeless, you can only go by what you hear or what you see, and that’s only a small snapshot of what’s going on in the community. We just need to be patient and have some compassion.”
Ultimately, the board voted down the camping ban in a 3-2 decision. However, the city continues to work on implementing its 5-year Pathways Plan against homelessness.