Fremont to Evacuate Homeless Camp for Urgent Cleanup on Nov. 3

UPDATE: Fremont officials are set to clear the Isherwood Park and Quarry Lakes homeless encampment on November 3, 2025, displacing dozens of unsheltered residents. This urgent cleanup aims to remove environmental hazards threatening the nearby watershed and creek, despite a controversial camping ban enforced earlier this year.

Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan confirmed that the city’s focus is on public safety and environmental protection, stating, “There’s not a week that goes by where we don’t have some call for service at the park.” Community complaints regarding creek contamination and frequent fires have prompted this decisive action.

While the city promises temporary housing solutions through the Winter Relief Program and the Navigation Center, the fate of those displaced remains uncertain. Critics express concern that the cleanup will significantly disrupt the lives of residents who have built a community over the past decade.

Marisa Ornelas, an associate director at Abode Services, highlighted the challenges faced by residents, noting that many who receive temporary shelter often return to homelessness shortly after. “It could be traumatic for some people,” Ornelas warned, emphasizing the human impact of the city’s actions.

As the city prepares for the cleanup, a sign has been posted at Isherwood Park announcing the upcoming closure. All residents must vacate the area by November 14, 2025. City officials have allocated $40,000 for the initial sweep, which will include constructing temporary fencing and managing landfill dumping costs.

“This initiative is critical to protect the park’s waterway from environmental hazards and reduce fire risks,” said Geneva Bosques, a spokesperson for the city. The last major cleanup occurred in 2018, when residents were provided hotel vouchers for temporary housing, but many returned soon after, illustrating the ongoing struggle for sustainable solutions.

Residents like Jose Zermeno and Rudy De La Cruz voiced their frustrations, questioning the need for eviction. “Why would you move us? We have nowhere to go,” De La Cruz lamented. Others, including Caris McDougald, urged city officials to engage directly with the homeless community, advocating for better support and communication.

As the deadline approaches, the emotional toll of this cleanup looms large over the residents of Isherwood Park. Community members worry about the implications of being uprooted and whether adequate resources will be available to assist them in transitioning to temporary housing.

The city’s decision to proceed with this cleanup reflects a broader urgency to address both environmental and social issues in Fremont. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the city’s actions and the responses from the community.

Stay tuned for updates as this urgent situation unfolds.