There could be new bylaws next week in both Peterborough city and county to set out rules to curb camping in public parks.

The city's new draft bylaw governing the use of parks will be posted online Thursday in advance of a special council meeting Monday, Mayor Diane Therrien wrote Tuesday in an email response to The Examiner.

She didn't mention tent city or homeless camping in her email, however.

Therrien writes that a new bylaw would "more clearly establish rules for the shared public use and enjoyment of the city's parks and open spaces and for the protection of the natural environment."

Staff in the city clerk's department said Tuesday there's no bylaw to prohibit camping in city parks.

Meanwhile, Victoria Park, the site of the largest of several tent encampments for homeless people this summer, belongs to the county and wouldn't be affected by any new bylaw the city drafts.

But county staff said Tuesday that a new county bylaw is under development and will be discussed by county councillors at a special meeting next week.

Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones couldn't be reached for comment on Tuesday.

In an interview Tuesday night, Therrien said the idea is for the city and county to collaborate on the issue.

"We're working with the county to ensure we're all on the same page," she said.

She also said there will be a public meeting on housing and homelessness from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 13 in the Peterborough Public Library auditorium.

Therrien said there will be a city staff presentation followed by breakout groups where citizens can discuss potential solutions such as tiny homes.

A proliferation of tents was set up in Victoria Park after the Warming Room homeless shelter closed for repairs on July 1. There have been about 40 tents in the park since then.

There were also a few tents on the property at city hall, as well as at some city-owned parks such as Nicholls Oval and Riverside Park.

In addition, there have been 12 to 18 tents on the property at St. John's Anglican Church this summer.

The city has set up emergency beds in the lower-level auditorium of the Peterborough Public Library; there's room for 30 beds.

Nine of those beds were taken overnight Monday, according to a posting by the city Tuesday.

The posting also states there were a few beds available Monday night in the YES Shelter and at Brock Mission.

The city has stepped up police patrol to the area around Victoria Park, the city announced Friday.

The announcement was made a day after a double stabbing late Thursday night in the area around tent city.

There has been no word from city police or the city on whether any of the homeless campers have been charged for violations during the patrols.

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joelle.kovach

@peterboroughdaily.com