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Original poster

Would you walk through a park in the dark?

127 replies

IntoTheWilderness · 30/12/2019 18:15

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.

OP posts:
rottiemum88 · 30/12/2019 20:21

I have two rotties, one being a very large male so there isn't really anywhere I wouldn't feel comfortable walking with them, in the dark or otherwise. In reality they're both daft as brushes and wouldn't hurt a fly, but I imagine their appearance would be quite offputting to anyone with bad intentions Grin

Barbararara · 30/12/2019 20:22

Before I studied martial arts I would have, being an empowered woman and all that. Now that I am a bit less helpless I wouldn’t consider walking through a park in the dark and would be alert to possible dangers in the daylight too.

Stressedout10 · 30/12/2019 20:32

Yes just come back from usual dog walk, 3 parks only 1 with lights over 6km in total. I do it 4 times a day

Smithtylater · 30/12/2019 20:43

Trust your instinct....

viques · 30/12/2019 20:50

A friend of a friend's adult daughter recently took herself off for a walk in the late afternoon. She tripped and fell, hurt her knee badly and was unable to walk. She had to phone for help, and was eventually rescued by the police because she wasn't sure whereabouts exactly she was ( think open common rather than urban park.) Not all hazards come in human form.

minesagin37 · 30/12/2019 20:51

We not the park near me. It's where the Yorkshire ripper used to hunt his victims and even in the day it can be dodgy! So no. Never in the dark.

StandUpStraight · 30/12/2019 20:53

Nope, no way. Not even with the dog.

Betterversionofme · 30/12/2019 20:55

Watch stars.
I took my kids when they've been younger for a 'dark' walk to a cemetery park with a ruin of a church and told them that church in a vampire house.

Carlamity · 30/12/2019 20:57

I have once or twice with my dog but don't feel at ease with it. My dog spotted a man in the dark approaching way before I could see him- he had a dog so I didn't feel too worried. The man stopped for a usual dog walker chat - but wished me to 'stay safe' at the end. Not wanting to take any chances, I quickly went home after this!

hiphiphoorayback · 30/12/2019 21:28

Sometimes walk in the small dog enclosure in the park when it's early but dark. I don't hang around and most of the walk is on the roadside.

danadas · 30/12/2019 21:34

I walk my dog in the dark in the country park over the road from my house but there is the odd time when it doesn't feel right and we stick to a road walk on those nights. It doesn't happen very often and the park isn't known for trouble but I trust my instincts and give it a swerve when I get that tingle down my spine.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/12/2019 21:55

I do, but my local park is huge and well lit, and there are usually plenty of joggers and dog walkers on it, not to mention an indoor tennis court where people are often practicing. I wouldn't in the middle of the night, but early evening is fine.

DramaAlpaca · 30/12/2019 21:57

It depends on the park. My local village one which I'm very familiar with yes I would with the dog, but maybe not on my own. In my nearest city, no way.

montmatre · 30/12/2019 21:58

I regularly walk my dog (GSD) in an inner-city park after dark. He's very protective and I don't have much choice in Winter. Never feel unsafe, my boy has my back (as a few men who have tried chatting me up have learned).

montmatre · 30/12/2019 22:02

Also, my dog can smell anyone a mile off and will track them until they pass us.

Winegumaddict · 30/12/2019 22:23

Yes of course but I live very rurally and if I didn't walk in the dark I wouldn't get out in the winter in working days. I have 2 dogs with me usually so I know if anyone is coming. In a city maybe not ithink it depends on the area and the park.

Feelinggoodashell · 30/12/2019 22:26

As a single woman this thread is very much making me want a German shepherd!

VeniceBeach · 30/12/2019 22:28

I live in a very small, quiet town but I still wouldn't. I cringe to think of myself as a student walking half an hour home with a dead phone at 3am...

Doggodogington · 30/12/2019 22:31

When I was younger I would, I was fearless. Either the world has changed or I have as I wouldn’t do it now.

Thecrown3 · 30/12/2019 22:32

I’m a hardened all weather dog walker so parks in dark don’t worry me.....
Until in September I decided to sit in a park for my lunch at 1pm in afternoon - whereupon a male walked to within 20ft of me and masturbated.
I’m considered quite a tough cookie, but I must admit it broke me for a week or so thinking about it and I don’t touch empty parks too much if can help it now.

Bouledeneige · 30/12/2019 22:38

Its one of those things when you realise why women would feel differently about life after dark if men were under a curfew. I would never go in a park after dark and I would advise any girl or woman to do the same. Its not just the fear of violence its the inability to be at ease for fear.

I had a teenage foreign student living with me who said they would walk in parks at night alone in their European city - I said please don't ever do that here.

JKScot4 · 30/12/2019 22:41

My dogs are walked in the woods/fields and I’ll go in the dark, mastiff, staffy & collie; it’s the collie that’d protect all of us but the big guy would hopefully make someone hesitate.
It’s very very rare for you to be attacked in a remote place compared to urban.

elliejjtiny · 30/12/2019 22:44

Not on my own. Might do with a dog.

iWantToBreakBrie · 30/12/2019 22:48

Not normally. However the other morning I took the dog to the woods and the mornings were a bit darker than I expected at that time.

It was pitch black so I flicked the torch on my phone and set out, determined to brave it out until it got lighter.

20 metres in and something large moved in the wood near us. Dog and I paused for a second and then both hightailed it out of there and back to the car. I've never seen him so glad to cut a walk short 😂😂😀😀

We drive home and tried again later in the day. Cowards that we are!

hiphiphoorayback · 30/12/2019 22:49

Yes the only time I felt completely safe out walking on my own was when I owned a large GSD. She was very protective and would have gone for any assailant!

Funnily enough when I was in my 20s walking in fairly well trodden, walk in the day a man jumped out of nowhere and looked like he was about to attack me. My small Border Collie charged at him barking and would have given him a bite I'm sure if he had tried to come any closer. She was in incredible dog.

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