City work crews went into Dr. Jose Rizal Park Wednesday morning to remove a cabin and sprawling encampment that a homeless man has built over the last few months. Steven Michael Irwin continues to claim he has permission to build the cabin in the middle of the park, despite being arrested and began removing trees in the park in October. "It is going to take years to restore the park," said park steward Craig Thompson. "It is going to take a committed effort.
The city has to put a plan together and stick to it." when he allowed cameras to tour the site, which included a mining area where he claimed to be digging for gold and diamonds. Irwin had also installed multiple heaters and stoves in the encampment which he said he planned to expand. City crews removed the cabin as well as a washing machine, treadmill, beer kegs, and a microwave that Irwin had in the camp. where Irwin dug up with an excavator. Irwin was booked into jail and charged with property destruction, but returned to the park after being released from jai