La Crosse begins Vietnam Veterans Trail clean up as camping ban goes into effect

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- La Crosse's Vietnam Veterans trail was temporarily closed Wednesday as the city enforces its no-camping ban.

According to a release, crews are clearing the marsh along the trail to protect public health, safety and the environment.

Unsheltered people were asked to leave with all their belongings by 7 a.m. this morning and anything left behind is now being cleared up and thrown out.

Director of Parks and Recreation, Jay Odegaard, says this job simply "has to be done."

"This is an environmental concern but also, it's a human safety concern. So, we need to get it out, we need to get it out now prior to freeze, prior to snowfall, spring, odds are we're gonna have some form of highwater," said Odegaard.

Earlier this month La Crosse's common council voted to end camping on city-owned property, which includes the marshlands.

Odegaard said the change in elevation of the land has made for a slower clean-up and they will likely continue the clearing of Veteran's Trail tomorrow morning.

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