‘No camping’: Work crews clear homeless camps from Kansas River in Topeka

TOPEKA (KSNT) – City of Topeka work crews are back at the Kansas River this week to continue the enforcement of a new camping ordinance.

A 27 News reporter captured city crews at work Tuesday morning near the Kansas River in north Topeka as they picked up trash and debris from homeless camps in the area. Signs showing the new rules for the area, such as no camping within 500 feet of trails or within 50 feet of sidewalks, are now posted along the levee.

City of Topeka spokeswoman Rosie Nichols says the work crews are working north of the river levee and east of the Kansas Avenue bridge this week. More information on how much trash is picked up and any arrests or citations made will be provided once the work is finished.

In February, the City of Topeka began enforcing a camping ordinance passed in late 2023. This led work crews to begin clearing homeless camps on the north side of the Kansas River between the Topeka Boulevard and Kansas Avenue bridges. In the aftermath, Nichols told 27 News more than 177 tons or around 350,000 pounds of trash was cleared from the camps.

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