So I mention time and again that I walk every morning on a park close to a somewhat major road. The people walking seem to be normal and happy. Sure they may only wear blues, whites, and pinks (or the occasional weird old man faded green/yellow), but they all seem normal. There’s always the family on the bikes, the women pushing the baby in the stroller, the dog walkers, and recently some cross-country set of teens. They must be from a local school prepping for September.

I often see things lying on the side of the pathways, garbage mostly. Most of the time, it’s a newspaper on a bench, or a electrolyte filled drink (Gatorade, Propel, and Powerade). Recently there have been an increase of two things: Booze and Condoms.

Condoms?

Who is desperate enough to schmooze a girl in a park with Smirnoff Ice in a park? They don’t have any privacy at home do they? But the really open part of the parks? Walking three feet gets you to a slightly covered set of woods. (Sidebar: I’ve seen condoms there as well). But who wants to have sex on a bench.

Granted, I probably shouldn’t be talking. I’ve spent nights at New Paltz gazing at the sky on my thinking bench freshman year, but I wasn’t boozing or using condoms. When I would walk home with friends from a bar like Cuddy’s or Oasis, we never had bottles in hand. Too many cops were around and ready to give you a ticket.

The park where I walk has recently placed signs saying “Park Closes at Dusk.” I can’t help but think that the increase of booze and condoms must have something to do with it. I recall hearing that in my childhood that there were drug users in the park (a park?), but it was further south. Maybe things have slowly started to creep north.