Mittens (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} horse_mandible) wrote,@ 2006-10-30 16:22:00 |
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bicycling
I like to ride my bicycle through Aquatic Park in Berkeley. It's especially nice in the evening hours when the sun is low in the sky. Looking west over the water, you might see a lone rower sliding by in a long boat, and interesting shorebirds frequent the waters. Then there's the highway just on the other side, cars backed up eight lanes across. On the eastern edge of the park are the train tracks, so you also get the regular Amtrak or freight train clanking through. It makes for a strange conjunction. I guess that's the reality of urban parks, and Aquatic Park is a great place to bike or to walk your dog. There's even a disc-golf course (folf!) and a kid's playground at the north end.
The other thing about Aquatic Park is that I once heard someone refer to it as "Pickle Park" because apparently, this is a common place for men to hookup. The person who told me this had even witnessed some guy in a business suit climbing out of the bushes alongside another guy who was dressed in tatters. Apparently some of the men of "Pickle Park" turn a blind eye to status. Funny to think that the guy in the suit probably wouldn't give the hobo the time of day if they met on BART, but at "Pickle Park" the motto is Liberté, égalité, fraternité!
Ever since I'd heard this, I now see Aquatic Park in a new light. In fact, there do seem to be an unusual number of men wandering around, or sitting in their cars. I haven't seen anyone coming out of the bushes myself yet, but I just can't help wondering, when I ride through dinging my brass bell at people on the trail, just what everyone's intentions are. The knowledge of what goes on and the subsequent suspicion spooked me at first, but now I really don't mind, as long as these men keep their pickles to themselves.
addendum: candidly, I did consider getting a pair of brass knuckles or learning to use a boot knife, but that's something I ought to do anyway, as one who rides the street at night. Ultimately, I don't feel threatened in the park, though, truth be told. Some people are willing to regard it as "skanky". My theory is, if you aren't happy with what's going on in your streets or in the park, then why not be present and claim it for your own (supposedly virtuous) use. This is the closest park in my vicinity, and I'm not willing to relinquish it.
I like to ride my bicycle through Aquatic Park in Berkeley. It's especially nice in the evening hours when the sun is low in the sky. Looking west over the water, you might see a lone rower sliding by in a long boat, and interesting shorebirds frequent the waters. Then there's the highway just on the other side, cars backed up eight lanes across. On the eastern edge of the park are the train tracks, so you also get the regular Amtrak or freight train clanking through. It makes for a strange conjunction. I guess that's the reality of urban parks, and Aquatic Park is a great place to bike or to walk your dog. There's even a disc-golf course (folf!) and a kid's playground at the north end.
The other thing about Aquatic Park is that I once heard someone refer to it as "Pickle Park" because apparently, this is a common place for men to hookup. The person who told me this had even witnessed some guy in a business suit climbing out of the bushes alongside another guy who was dressed in tatters. Apparently some of the men of "Pickle Park" turn a blind eye to status. Funny to think that the guy in the suit probably wouldn't give the hobo the time of day if they met on BART, but at "Pickle Park" the motto is Liberté, égalité, fraternité!
Ever since I'd heard this, I now see Aquatic Park in a new light. In fact, there do seem to be an unusual number of men wandering around, or sitting in their cars. I haven't seen anyone coming out of the bushes myself yet, but I just can't help wondering, when I ride through dinging my brass bell at people on the trail, just what everyone's intentions are. The knowledge of what goes on and the subsequent suspicion spooked me at first, but now I really don't mind, as long as these men keep their pickles to themselves.
addendum: candidly, I did consider getting a pair of brass knuckles or learning to use a boot knife, but that's something I ought to do anyway, as one who rides the street at night. Ultimately, I don't feel threatened in the park, though, truth be told. Some people are willing to regard it as "skanky". My theory is, if you aren't happy with what's going on in your streets or in the park, then why not be present and claim it for your own (supposedly virtuous) use. This is the closest park in my vicinity, and I'm not willing to relinquish it.
