Lethbridge park at the fore of city's struggles with addiction, homelessness

Laid out on the grass with duffel bags doubling as pillows, Sarah says her and her friends come to Galt Gardens for the same reasons as everyone else. 

They find respite from the sweltering summer heat in the shade of the park's century-old trees, cool off in the spray park, and take advantage of amenities like bathrooms. Plus, the area is beautiful and relaxing. 

The big difference, she says, is what happens after. 

"Everyone has somewhere else to go right? It's just some people don't."

Sarah — whose last name is withheld because of concerns about her family finding her — is one of many people sleeping rough at Galt Gardens. 

This summer, the park in the heart of downtown Lethbridge has been in the news a lot.

Not just because of the events it hosted like pride celebrations or vintage car shows. But due to community members' concerns about open drug use, homelessness, and feeling unsafe.

In June, the construction of a playground in the park sparked backlash, especially after Lethbridge Police (LPS) sounded the alarm on suspected fentanyl shaped like a candy bear found in the park. 

The following month city council narrowly rejected a proposal to explore fencing the park off and closing it during late hours. 

However, Sarah says people living on the streets are the ones who feel unsafe due to being targeted and physically and verbally abused.

"They're more threatening to us than we are to them," she said.

Galt Gardens is a nearly four-hectare park nestled between a mall and the city's business district. 

The city's oldest park, it's the major downtown outdoor event hub. However, LPS say the park is also a hotbed for encampments.

It is not uncommon to see people using illicit drugs. Nearby residents and business owners say emergency vehicles frequently respond to overdoses.