GREENSBORO, N.C. — Whether it be to go for a stroll or a lunch date Center City Park is a hot spot in Downtown Greensboro.
"I was born and raised here and I've seen the transformation of downtown," said Scott Jones. "A lot of amazing things are happening."
But the city said it ran into problems when organizations would use the park as a feeding site for the homeless.
" Large congregations of individuals lining up on the sidewalk and out into the street seeking resources," said Phil Fleischmann the director of Greensboro parks and rec. "And the volume of litter left behind as well as resources being dropped off in the park and never claimed."
As a solution Greensboro Parks and rec created two central locations the governmental plaza on Greene Street and under the bridge on Spring Garden Street.
"They can sign up to provide resource giveaways at those two city locations and we also encourage other folks interested in getting involved to contact other partner organizations," Fleischmann said.
Tiny House Community Development is one of those partner organizations.
"After many years of serving here at Center City Park and the parking deck across the street. We were given the ultimatum to relocate," Jones said.
The executive director Scott Jones said they're now operating out of the Hope Center, serving meals 6 days a week.
Jones said he's also allowing groups to drop off donations at the center for the homeless.
"Revitalizing downtown Greensboro is a good thing but we have to remember we have to support these individuals who are homeless," Jones said. "We can't just push them to the outskirts and edges because it doesn't solve the problem it only masks what's going on ."
Jones said he's seeing double the number of families - about 50 people a day.
He said he hopes to see the city come up with permanent solutions.
We don't need more shelters we need more supportive housing.
The city said having sign-ups will allow for a more consistent and organized food distribution.
They said five groups have already signed up for time slots.