Man who lived in park is taken to mission

GIRARD — A homeless man spent eight months camping in a make-shift tent in Liberty Park, according to police reports.

Police discovered a campsite Monday, just inside the wood line east near the East Wilson Avenue dead-end, complete with clothing, a sleeping bag, blankets and toiletries. The tent, made from scraps of plastic, was secured to a tree with thumb tacks and supported with sticks, according to reports.

Its inhabitant, a 50-year-old man who said he left the Youngstown Rescue Mission after he had problems with someone there, told police he had been selling scrap metal and plasma to get by. He said he had moved camps several times over the course of his stay.

Police described the former Main Street resident as “semi-groomed, intelligent and appreciative.” The man told police he had medical problems that limited his ability to work and that he liked living in the woods. He said he was strong and capable.

Police officers arranged for the man to be transported to the Warren Family Mission.

“He was really a nice gentleman to deal with,” said Police Chief Frank Bigowsky. “I think he was really grateful that the officers got him set up to go to the mission in Warren.”