Yes, this bench is occupied by a homeless person for weeks now. Recently one mattress was removed. Another mattress appeared same night.

Thank you for reporting this issue to the City of Cambridge. Unfortunately, the City is not responsible for addressing issues on state property, but we've shared this report with the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) and asked them to address. Please contact DCR Community Relations at 617-626-4973 / mass.parks@state.ma.us for direct follow-up about this. Tell us how we're doing by completing a short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CambServiceRequests

Actually, this issue is not new this summer. It has been going on for years. I think it is always the same person. He used to occupy a different bench. I brought it to the city's attention in years past but gave up because nothing ever changed. I believe this is a Cambridge City park--not state property. It was built by the city.

Public Works - MS (Parks) assigned this issue to Public Works - SH (Sanitation)

Homelessness has been in issue in our city.
At Monday's, June 22, 2020, Cambridge City Council hearing, a homeless Women spoke of our city to do more for the needs of the homelss population.
There has always been talk of aiding the homeless toward better circumstances.
COVID-19, the coronavirus rushed the talk into temporary action!
We now need to have reasonable and effection ACTION to meet this challenge of many challenges ahead.
I suggest housing, not shelters. I suggest health care, education and social services. I suggest jobs for homeless people in order for many to return to a sense of dignity, contribution to our community and an independence to have more choices in thier lives.vabs

I agree that the city/country/world faces many challenges during these unprecedented times. The particular issue with this request is unsanitary. The person who sleeps in a park urinates in bottles next to the bench and does nothing to keep "his/her" spot clean. The city cleans the park once a week and throws these bottles in the trash. Then bottles appear again. If this person can't keep the spot clean raises another concern. How hygienic is the mattress and how safe it is for park visitors to be around (specifically, for kids who occasionally run around the bench)?

Couldn’t be more in agreement with @Paromov. While the systemic problems regarding homelessness (among many others issues) are huge and need to be addressed this is a case of strict public health and sanitation. Especially being a city of Cambridge public park where so many kids hang out.
No problem whatsoever with this person sleeping there as long as can keep spot clean (the smell in winter is disgusting and the “water” in the stone platform is dark and smelly;broken glass everywhere; garbage around the place; blankets and rugs stuck in bushes)

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via Commonwealth Connect. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.

Thank you for reporting this issue to us. We are pleased to report back to you that this issue is now resolved. Tell us how we're doing by completing a short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CambServiceRequests