Remediation work will begin at the former site of Victoria’s tent city Friday as crews prepare to install a new playground.
Soil samples taken from a dirt patch outside Victoria’s courthouse found contaminants like lead, gasoline, diesel and traces of methamphetamines after hundreds of campers moved out last summer.
During remediation work, crews will dig up a half-metre of topsoil and replace it with new soil, as well as remove nine trees on the property.
Eleven of the trees on site at considered healthy and will be preserved.
New trees will also be planted to improve sightlines and increase safety at the courthouse.
After all the work is complete, construction will begin on a new playground that will include features for children of all ages as well as some for adults and seniors, like chess tables and seating benches.
No overnight camping will be permitted at the playground, which will be closed from dusk until dawn each day.
The former homeless camp operated under a loophole for nearly 10 months because it was on provincial and not municipal land, meaning a Victoria bylaw prohibiting camping in city parks during the day didn’t apply.
The province says the new playground will be ready by spring.
