Louisville parks leader works to balance safety, compassion in clearing homeless camps

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- From playgrounds to soccer fields, Louisville's parks are meant to be safe spaces for families. But, in recent years, many green spaces have also become home to homeless encampments — leaving city leaders searching for balance.

Bridget Frailley, Louisville's executive administrator for park safety and security, has been tasked with that job. Part enforcer and part social worker, she spends her days going park to park, clearing out camps and offering resources to the people who live in them.

"I am the sole person within the parks department that is dedicated to do homeless outreach within the park," Frailley said Monday. "If there are any homeless individuals in the park, I will make connections with them and try to connect them with further services through the Homeless Services Division so they can get the resources and services they need."

Frailley said the work is about keeping parks clean and accessible for families while treating the city's unhoused population with compassion.

"In the years past, prior to this administration, people were living in the parks and they were making that space as their own, making it inaccessible for the general public," she said. "Tarps, tents — I mean, we've had people that have mattresses (and) a lot of unhealthy and unsafe living situations that go with any kind of encampment, including human waste."

Frailley, a retired child protective services worker with more than 20 years of social work experience, said she approaches the job by offering help while reminding people of the park rules.

"They're welcome to be in the park as long as they can use the park appropriately," she said. "We want all the parks to be clean, healthy, safe and accessible."

That mission is welcomed by families who use the parks, like Ashley Gardner, who said she often visits Iroquois Park with her children.

"I think it is important to provide resources but also to make the parks safe and clean and accessible to our kids so that we can all enjoy the parks on beautiful days like this," Gardner said Monday.

A man named Cameron, who has been living outside for months, said the situation isn’t so simple. He said he carries everything he owns in a backpack and is never sure where he'll sleep next.

"I was working up until about three months ago," Cameron said. "I just move around and try to go where I can. This is kind of home base. This is where my family's at, right here."

But Cameron appreciates when the city provides basic services, like unlocked restrooms.

"They did have them unlocked for a few days, and that was a great blessing," he said. "... go in and wash your hands and wash your face. Go to the bathroom."

Frailley said she speaks with seven to 10 people a day, trying to connect them with housing, addiction treatment or other services. And while not everyone accepts the help, she says her mission is to keep trying.

"It's about making sure everyone feels safe in our parks but also making sure the people who are here know where to go for help," she said.

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