Would you walk through a park in the dark?

[IntoTheWilderness]

I’ve just been out with the dog, I usually like taking her before it gets dark so she can have a good run. I was late going today, left about 5ish so it wasn’t late but was dark.

I got to the park, felt really uneasy so turned back and walked her round the road along the outside of the park.

I felt a bit ridiculous because I wasn’t on my own as such, I had the dog and she gets anxious in the dark so would warn off anyone that came near me. Just wondered in anyone else would feel the same as a female walking alone or if I was being a bit cautious.

Yes I have, in the village I lived in. I'd walk the dog through the park down a lane and round a field.

Although if coming home late at night from a friends I never took the snicket down to the lane, I'd go the long way through the village where street lights were. this was about 8 years ago.

I wouldn't where we live now though.

I do. It’s quite a small park in a village. Never thought to not do it

Depends on the park/area, before I moved definetly not, rough area and often had drunks in it as several pubs near it, nearest one to me now wouldn't have a problem going through it at night.

Before we moved house I used to walk through the town park, much of it unlit, at around 6am to get to the gym. I'd feel a bit wary but it was quicker than walking around the roads. I wouldn't walk through alone at night though as people would be hanging around.

We now live more rurally and have a dog. I have no qualms about walking him through the woods before it gets light but again, wouldn't want to do that alone at night. Occasionally I'll see another dog walker or two in the morning but at night (my husband comes with us) we sometimes see men alone or in groups.

No, not unless I was with a couple of other people.

Depends on the dog. If I had a large protective dog I would.

In an ideal world - yes. In the real world - no

No but I’m a wimp

I don’t feel entirely safe but I refuse to let it stop me. Nowadays it depends on the park

I have done many times on my own in the past and still do now.

Really depends on the park. My nice local park, with lit footpaths, with my large protective dog - yes, absolutely. The park where we used to live - no chance. Not even with another person.

No I definitely wouldn’t but then I can’t even walk my dog in the dark at all as it scares me too much.

It depends on the park and the time of night.

Of our 3 local parks I'd say no for one (very hilly, wooded nature reserve rather than a proper park so worried about loosing my footing and injuring myself rather than being attacked), yes at anytime for another and only before maybe 8pm for the closest and only the closest side of it.

I'm at the people who wouldn't go to a park alone in the daytime.
Where do you live that's so dangerous but so quite the parks are empty during the day???

Absolutely not.

No, never even with a dog

Nope.

In the area I live some parks I would and some I definitely would not and probably wouldn't if I were alone in the day either

When I was 18 I used to walk through allotments and pathway in pitch black as a shortcut, I'd never do it now!!

I do 3/4 times a week to collect DC from clubs and to walk to-from meeting friends. It's pitch black but I never feel scared.
I feel more vulnerable walking the better lit long way round, there's flats and cars on one side then a massive public field with loads of bushes etc on the other side. I come across lots of people on their own or gangs of kids hanging about on that route so it seems less safe.

I walked thru one with DS a week ago so I guess I'm pretty relaxed.
I'm big & mean though. I've been jumped before (well lit road) & chased them away.

Nope, not on my own. If I walk our dogs on my own I use the well lit streets. If partner is with me then would go in park. It's quiet a safe park but my imagination runs wild and I freak myself out!

I personally wouldn't take the chance

Yes; I walk or run with my dogs before and after work every weekday, so in the pitch dark at this time of year, and it doesn't bother me. It would depend on the location though - where I live and where my parents live and we're currently visiting are pretty safe areas.

Reading this thread and thinking of that police dog that was stabbed and nearly died.

No way. Would do the same as you did.