In response to widespread damage to the Seattle Parks system, we call on the Seattle Parks Department to fulfill their environmental stewardship by swiftly and fully applying the laws against encampments and other illegal uses in city parks.

Seattle Municipal Code 18.12.250 - Camping. It is unlawful to camp in any park except at places set aside and posted for such purposes by the Superintendent.(Ord. 106615 § 13, 1977.)

The Parks Department is authorized under Multi-Department Administrative Rules (MDARs) to immediately remove encampments in a city park and need to do so because:

• Encampments in our parks cause serious, long- term environmental damage.
• Encampments are inconsistent with the mission of the Parks Department to provide welcoming and safe recreational opportunities to the public.
• We expect the Parks Department and the City of Seattle to be consistent and committed ecological stewards of our parks for current and future generations.
• Rapid enforcement upholds the expectation that no encampments will be tolerated in any city park at any time. This reduces costs and improves the condition of our parks.
• It is a reasonable social, fiscal, and environmental policy to protect our parks from uses such as encampments. Applying these rules is good for people, parks and wildlife.

City leaders spend a lot of time talking about conservation, sustainability, and climate change, but they are failing in their stewardship of our city parks. Actual park management practices are irreparably harming habitat across our city. Encampments cause permanent soil destruction from impaction, excrement, and solid and hazardous waste. They are in direct opposition to the mission and rules of our parks. It is the Park Department's paramount responsibility to stand firmly for the park and against deleterious uses. We call on them to perform their stewardship.

This petition will be submitted to:

• Seattle Board of Park Commissioners
• Christopher Williams, Interim Superintendent
• Mayor Jenny Durkan

Please sign and share this petition. See additional information at Speak Out Seattle.