La Crosse farmers market no longer going to be in Cameron Park

La Crosse’s Friday farmers market will no longer be in Cameron Park.

The group was granted permission Thursday by the Parks Board to move the market to Burns Park along Main Street, across from the library.

The number of vendors and customers at Cameron has been dropping in recent years, amid concerns about safety in that area.

Caleb Kvale with the La Crosse Farmers Market Association noted the attendance drop at Cameron, where homeless people have camped on occasion.

“Cameron’s still been shrinking, and we haven’t recovered there, the way we wanted to be, which is why we’re looking to make the move,” Kvale told board members.

La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry director Jay Odegaard supports the change in location.

“Looking at the numbers they shared with us,” Odegaard said, “I think it’s pretty evident that a move is necessary for them to survive.”

Next year’s farmers market is set to begin May 3, and continue each Friday evening until the end of October.

There were occasional Saturday morning markets at Cameron, however.

At this time, the move to Burns Park is only planned for 2025. The change will be reviewed at the end of the season.