SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A North Park resident expressed concerns about the homeless taking over a community park right next to a playground and youth recreation center.
CBS News 8 was tipped off to the situation by a Your Stories email.
Becky Peterson works as a nanny in North Park and brings her four-year-old to the Community Park playground.
Recently, the park has been overrun by the homeless camping in overnight tents and gathering at picnic tables.
"I have been here before when I was the only person at the park with a small child and had someone who was homeless watching me and partly following me home," said Peterson.
Alan Bennett who volunteers for the Citizens Patrol in North Park wrote in part, "the city's efforts to clean up downtown is pushing the problem up Florida Canyon and into our local parks."
North Park residents agree.
"I feel like it's pretty bad that they are allowed to camp out here at the rec-center. Especially when people bring their kids and play in the sand. It's pretty bad, pretty dirty," said Jay Espinoza.
A spokesperson for Councilman Todd Gloria, who represents North Park, told CBS News 8 the councilman is working on solution to the citywide homeless problem.
A recent survey found an increasing number of homeless people countywide living on the streets and community parks feeling the brunt.
The city is working to get increased federal funding to help provide more affordable housing for the homeless.