AUSTIN, Texas — An encampment cleanup is wrapping up along a popular hiking trail in Austin. It took three months and $200,000 to clear out the camp and relocate dozens of people who were staying along the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt loop.
The trail is located near Sixth Street and Gibson Road. It had been closed when the massive encampment was set up, with more than 70 people living there.
Ingrid Weigand lives in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood and sits on the park's committee. She loves to hike, but said she and many people haven't felt comfortable going on the trail lately.
"It was very unwelcoming and not altogether a safe space to be walking," Weigand said.
Weigand said there were a lot of tents and trash along trails, and it stayed that way for months.
"There were generators, even AC units. There were electrical lines running from fence to fence," she said.
People living in the neighborhood brought the issue to City leaders. As part of the City's Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative, more than 70 people experiencing homelessness were relocated. They were taken to the Southbridge shelter, along with 15 pets.
Contractors were brought in for a massive cleanup that began in August.
Ronnie Dittmar, who has lived in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood for 30 years, saw the cleanup happen.
"We guess between 30 to 40 dumpsters over the two-month period that were filled and then hauled away," Dittmar said.
Weigand said she is happy with the transformation.
"Totally incredible to see how much cleaner the place is. We are grateful for PARD [Parks and Recreation Department] to send so many contractors to clean it up," she said.
"I am very encouraged. I am happy about it," Dittmar said. "I am hoping the City resources can be dedicated to keeping new campers from coming."