PUBLIC NOTICE. Eau Claire City Council has been invited to a meeting with city staff at 2pm, July 26, at Wilson Park to discuss concerns about public safety and conditions of downtown parks and public spaces. (Wilson Park pictured, taken in June)

Following the removal of all benches and picnic tables from Wilson Park in downtown Eau Claire this past Tuesday, July 23, a meeting lead by city and council members will take place at the park today at 2pm in an effort to hold open discussion about public safety.

“City staff will share with Council Members information about concerns about public safety and conditions of parks and public spaces in the greater downtown area, with a particular focus on code violations, safety, camping in public parks, and downtown disturbances,” the city’s public notice stated.

Wilson Park, located on South Farwell and Emery Streets, is located just down the block from Sojourner House, the city’s overnight shelter.

The city and council members who removed the park's benches and picnic tables told WQOW the swift removal was a public safety matter. Billie Hufford, the city’s project management coordinator, said Wilson Park has been an issue for the parks department, which mowed down the park’s flower beds Tuesday morning for safety reasons.

"Needles, urine, and feces have been found throughout the park all year," Hufford said. "They were mowed to help staff more safely clean the public health hazards."

Susan Wolfgram, co-chair of JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force and chairperson of Community Haven House Advisory Committee and president of the board, urged the public to attend today’s meeting at Wilson Park.

Wolfgram wrote to city council and President Emily Berge on July 25, criticizing lack of effort to gain feedback from community members and organizations prior to the removal of benches and tables at Wilson Park. “I ask the following questions: Who belongs in our parks, in our public spaces? Who makes these decisions about who is in and who is out? Does our community play a role in access to public spaces?”

This afternoon’s meeting is open to the public at Wilson Park and starts at 2pm.