San Jose’s Columbus Park, once the site of the South Bay’s largest homeless encampment is now fully cleared and ready for a massive restoration.

The city’s objective was to find housing or shelter for the almost 400 residents, many who have lived here for years.

Wednesday, the mayor’s office says 250 camp residents are now indoors.

City Mayor Matt Mahan says visitors are already showing up at nearby trails once surrounded or blocked by tents.

“We’ve seen trail usage go up 100%, so people are coming back out to Columbus Park to Guadalupe trail network and using their public space once again,” Mahan said.

The park’s restoration means that the baseball diamond, once the home of Little League, will be repaired and a 5-acre dog park will now be more accessible.

A grand opening was planned

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