The City of Ithaca has been mandated by Tompkins County Environmental Health to clean up a section of homeless encampments known as “the Jungle,” after the area was declared a public health hazard. The city received a notice on April 9 to address the conditions of a specific triangular strip of city-owned land by May 10, due to the accumulation of waste including bicycles, shopping carts, hypodermic needles, and garbage.
The cleanup directive targets an area bordered by a railroad track, Six Mile Creek, and the Cayuga Lake flood control channel. This section is part of the larger Jungle area, known for its makeshift shelters and prohibited for camping under the city’s sanctioned encampment policy adopted last year.
Officials highlighted the need for a coordinated effort with local and state authorities to address the significant debris and prevent future hazards.
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