On this note. The bums (homeless) did not kill off a vital and appreciated park. They did not drive out the respectable users. They moved into an abandoned place and entrenched themselves. I've never been there but perhaps on closer inspection of the surrounding business, lack of people, etc. no one used the park.
If a city doesn't homeless sleeping in recreation parks, the city need to give them a place where they can park or put up a tent - may be with portable toilets and some policing to keep peace and safety. Most cities have unused land that are not public parks. In better times, more of the homeless may be "bums'. In these times, many hard working folks are on the brink.