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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU about this man in children's park

230 replies

Totality22 · 17/05/2015 18:07

To set the scene:

Park is quite big, has some open grassy areas (which is for general use - dog walking, people sitting down on grass etc..) a football pitch and a children's park which is fully fenced off and gated. Kids park has several slides, 10 swings, water fountains in summer, picnic tables - so is quite a size in itself.

It's not an overly busy park and on some days (colder weather, term time) it has been just me and DS. It's also quite isolated if no-one is in the football pitch. There is a warden but he takes care of the whole park so often isn't in the hut which is located inside the children's park.

Popped in today {as we do most days} and all was fine. It was actually quiet considering it was nice weather and a Sunday.

I let toddler have a run around and was feeding baby on bench when toddler shoots off and as I turn round to call after toddler I see some bloke has settled himself behind me and is unclothed bar a pair of shorts but even they are rolled up... They are rolled up the way people roll up clothes to catch the sun, so we're talking short shorts.

He was all happily settled on a blanket, earphones in and I am not suggesting for a second he was peeking at me feeding baby, he probably couldn't even tell that I was.

But AIBU to think it's just to the most appropriate place to sunbathe?

I toyed with reporting him but we left soon after. Should I have found the warden and let him know?

It was before Midday, not even that hot and he had the rest of the park to sunbathe in

Or an I being hysterical?

OP posts:
msgrinch · 17/05/2015 20:24

none of the parks I've been to have had a "no lone adults" sign.

DonVitoCorleone · 17/05/2015 20:25

This thread is crazy.

popalot · 17/05/2015 20:25

It is a bit weird, as he had the whole park to chose from. But there could have been a more innocent explanation, like waiting for children to join him. I'd be a bit unnerved by it if I was alone like you, but would probably just leave and hope there was an innocent explanation (like the guy who reckoned he was the guy skyping his gf). But, like you said, why would anyone want to go into a small, enclosed children's area to sunbathe? It's a place likely to become full of kids. I don't know, sometimes you have to trust your instincts and if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

RubieWoo · 17/05/2015 20:25

Every children's park.

musicinspring1 · 17/05/2015 20:27

I'd think it odd too OP but I wouldn't report him as he didn't do anything wrong. I would probably just give him space and play further away. (I also think some have been abit harsh but it is AIBU!. Chat is less scary!) Grin

WorraLiberty · 17/05/2015 20:27

I've never been to a park either that has a 'No adults' sign.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 17/05/2015 20:28

This thread just keeps on giving!
Paedos in speedos and using ones appendage as a sundial! Awesome Grin

RubieWoo · 17/05/2015 20:29

You've never seen a sign on the children's gated area that say 'No Adults, unless accompanied by a child'?

Bair · 17/05/2015 20:29

I wouldn't like a park with no adults, how else can I have a quick go on the swings!

WalterMittyish · 17/05/2015 20:31

No, Rubie - our local park has a gated play park, but it doesnt specify 'no unaccompanied adults'.

Goldenbear · 17/05/2015 20:32

I think it's a bit unusual but he could be waiting for someone. I know at least one play area that is fenced and there is a notice that states that adults without children in the play area are not permitted. I have seen the warden ask a man to leave this play area after he had used the toilets, that are specifically for the play area.

RubieWoo · 17/05/2015 20:33

I live in London and I've seen the same sign in many parks. Must be an area thing.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 17/05/2015 20:33

I've never seen a no unaccompanied adults sign at the park.

We have got one at the local library kids section.

RiverTam · 17/05/2015 20:37

I've been to quite a few playgrounds that have 'no adults without children' signs on them. The most obvious one is Coram Field's in London, which is a bloody great gated playpark with accompanying bloody great signs stating this. But in my borough (Southwark) quite a few parks have this kind of signage.

I would think this was pretty bizarre, and equally if I was in a park and fancied a sunbathe it wouldn't occur to me in a million years to do so in a fenced-off children's play area.

LimeFizz · 17/05/2015 20:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AuntieMaggie · 17/05/2015 20:40

I have been known to sit/sunbathe in this type of park for some of the reasons mentioned above (lack of dog poo, better sun, less breeze) and have seen others do the same... I never thought there was anything wrong with it till now...

But the OP doesn't just seem to have an issue with him sunbathing in the park but also why he would want to in that temperature... round here plenty of people strip off to sunbathe as soon as the sun comes out at that sort of temperature

YellowLemons · 17/05/2015 20:41

RiverTam Coram Fields was one of the places I was thinking of Grin brilliant playground!

AgentProvocateur · 17/05/2015 20:42

You should have called 999 immediately. Hmm

Agree - this thread is fucking bonkers.

Whiskwarrior · 17/05/2015 20:44

Nope, been to parks/play areas all over the place and have never once seen a 'No Lone Adults' sign.

But tell you what I have seen.

Socks. Lots of times. Bit like this thread.

LastNightADJSavedMyLife · 17/05/2015 20:48

A man sunbathes in between a swing and a slide in a kids park, when there are loads of other areas to choice from? Crackers. Not normal at all.

Anyone who says that this is a regular thing that happens all the time is talking out of their arse.

donemekmelarf · 17/05/2015 20:48

Would you have reported him if he were a female sunbathing?
I suspect not.

YWBVU

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 17/05/2015 20:49

Socks? Don't tell me he was wearing white socks as well? That changes everything I think the OP is spot on he must be a paedo!!

WalterMittyish · 17/05/2015 20:50

Uh oh, whisk, are you anticipating a visit from the Fresh Prince? Confused

Original poster
Totality22 · 17/05/2015 20:51

A few local parks have such signs. I guess that's why I assume its an unwritten rule.

Just to clarify I never said he was a pervert. I was never going to call the police but was wondering if it needed mentioning to the warden (but based in kiddies park I assume for a reason?)

Also to further fuel this thread and probably get loads more shit the only other people in the park when I left was a boy and his mum who was wearing a burkha... so if I had an issue with this guys modesty I wonder what this other mum made of it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Totality22 · 17/05/2015 20:53

Sorry the warden's hut is in the kiddies park. I assume the reason it is there and not in main park is to keep an eye on kiddies park?

Also I said pages ago I'd have felt the same if it was a woman.

OP posts: