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.

I don't mind walking the dog in the early morning dark but I would hesitate about late night dark.

Go figure

At about 5pm I would, but any time after 6pm I wouldn’t. We have all sorts of teens and older people drinking in there, and doing drugs, and I would worry they would think it fun to tease my dog, or worse. Most of my walks are after dark now and are street on lead walks. I can’t wait for the lighter nights to come back. You need to do what you feel safest doing.

Not a chance.

Now, no.

But in my youth I worked in a bar and/or would be out late at night getting quite drunk. I would walk down a long wooded/secluded lane, over a footbridge and across a massive playing field. All unlit and with nobody in shouting distance till the very far side of the field.

Way before mobiles, so nobody would've known me missing until I missed my next shift which could be a day or more later. I was an idiot.

Depends. I walk through the park infront of our house in the dark but it is small, well-lit, bordered by 3 well-used lit streets, has two bowling greens, 4 tennis courts a pond and not much else except a clear path that leads from the Metro straight to our street- 150m.
I wouldn't walk through the one infront of our last house in the dark, it had a steep-sided dene, high hedges throughout it, A stream and a lake, was all huge old trees windy footpaths, an old cemetery with medieval stone coffins, no lights and very large 1 mile square approx) and rambling.

Having known someone who was murdered (by a stranger) in a park over the road from their house, no I wouldn't.

I possibly would if I was in a well lit park, had a couple of very highly trained Rottweilers/GSDs/Dobermans and could be seen from a busy road, but otherwise I wouldn't take the risk (however much it infuriates me on principle that I can't)

No way

No, definitely not, my dogs would make a racket but realistically they wouldn't do anything useful to an attacker.

No but only because I was followed home once in a well lit area. Luckily I was on my street so dp came out to greet me.

No, I'd feel too scared.

When I was about 16 years old I used walk home late at night along a road for about 3 miles it was flanked by open countryside on either side. Every time a car passed by I would throw myself into the undergrowth so as not to be seen by oncoming cars and between cars I would run as fast as I could. It worked as I stayed safe and made that journey numerous times.

Yes. I like the darkness with lights twinkling off the lake. Often walk the dog on the heath of its too dark for the Downs. Much more peaceful at night.

Yes, I do all the time. I walk my cocker spaniel in a park in the East End of Glasgow, I don't really give it any thought that I should be concerned but I do I tend to follow the lit sections. Dog bogs off to chase foxes so he wouldn't be much help!

I never go out alone in the dark,and definitely would not go to the park alone and I have 2 dogs. X

I live in the middle of nowhere and walk on my own in the woods every night, but I have a big dog who would alert me to anyone... no idea whether he would protect me though, probably not to be honest, but he's a deterrent. I always have my phone on me and Whatsapp my location to my partner if I ever go off piste.

However, I wouldn't dream of walking through a park at night.

Trust your instincts.

Yes always and do often walk through the park by our house.

No. The area in which I live has a high rate of violent crime. I've never seen anything and don't usually feel unsafe when out and about but I don't go out on my own after dark unless I'm in the car. The reason I learned to drive was so I didn't have to get off the bus and walk through the streets by myself when I finished work (I used to work in a pub).

Yes, I walk my GSD every night and have always felt safe with her. She definitely has my back, as have all the others I've had. I wouldn't walk through a park at night on my own though.

Absolutely not

I don't even like walking up the stairs in the dark

No, I wouldn’t.

I have to on my way home from work ( usually around 4.30) but have noticed the last week that I feel v unsafe as it's so dark.

I'm taking the much longer route around until it's a bit lighter

Especially as there has been a rape and illegal selling of animal parts in the park in the last 3 years