Until recently, I lived and worked in California. If you have never been there, I can tell you that many of the stereotypical depictions of the Golden State are, for the most part, true. The weather is usually ideal, the beaches are always beautiful, and the population places a high value on parks and recreation. Of course, there are also way too many earthquakes and forest fires, too much traffic congestion, and, unfortunately, a large problem in dealing with the homeless.

Homeless people occupying public lands is a hot-button topic and one faced by almost every public land-managing agency in the nation. In my recent site visits to park and recreation agencies nationwide, I gained the perspective of a number of park and recreation directors on this problem, perhaps one of the thorniest issues that a park system must deal with.

While visiting the City of Las Vegas in November, I met with Steve Harsin, director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, who spoke to me at length about the problems they face regarding transient and homeless persons’ attempts to use parks as permanent living spaces. Harsin believes the city is making great strides to accommodate both the needs of citizens to feel safe in their parks and to provide the homeless safe harbor, but he acknowledges that it is not a perfect plan.

Mike Abatté, director of the City of Portland, Oregon’s Parks and Recreation Department, also discussed this topic with me during my visit last August. Abatté voiced concern for his employees who have experienced daily run-ins with indigent people illegally camping in the parks. He noted the challenge was not unique to his city and that each city faces its own difficulties in attempting to address its problems.

This is an issue that is not going away. The public’s views are mixed — some have little tolerance, while others consider attempts to deal with situations as heartless, especially with a housing and employment crisis still dominating our national landscape. Thus, the question arises: What are park and recreation professionals to do? What is the public interest, and how can parks best serve the needs of all?

Park & Recreation’s senior editor, Danielle Taylor, takes on this challenging topic in our cover feature this month. She explores the dangers, fears and difficult choices that are being made along with consideration of the programs that are working and those that are not. It is a topic on which park and recreation professionals and advocates everywhere must keep a careful eye.

Gina Mullins-Cohen is NRPA's Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing.