While legally the land is the property of the University of California, People's Park has operated since the early 1970s as a free public park. Although open to all, it is often viewed as a sanctuary for Berkeley's low income and large homeless population who, along with others, receive meals from East Bay Food Not Bombs regularly. Many homeless outreach organizations, like the Suitcase Clinic, also visit the park regularly. Nearby residents, and those who use the park for recreation partake in activities around the park like gardening, musical performances, and movie nights. Many of these events are planned and executed by the People's Park Committee.