Running at night in Central Park
elisabeisme
Posts: 308 Member
Hi New Yorkers -
Any thoughts on night running safety tip for Central Park? Shorter winter days mean that I will need to run after dark if I am going to maintain this form of cardio. Last night I skipped my run because it had gotten dark and I don't want to do that again. I realize that running alone at 3am with headphones blaring and waving around an expensive gold iPhone may not be prudent, but how late is reasonable?
So far I've learned:
- Precinct crime statistics say Central Park is one of the safest neighborhood in the city. It appears I would a greater chance of being mugged going for a glass of wine on the upper east side than running through the park.
- Search on Google and a lot of the articles are silly things written for tourists that were obviously written by people from outside of the city who don't have a clue. There are a number of articles featuring midnight runners, but most focus on running the reservoir.
- Many evenings, there is a cop patrolling near the 102nd street transverse and the 72nd street transverse in the evenings. Should that make me nervous or feel safe about taking the transverses?
- The running clubs seem to meet up after sunset at 6:30p and 7:30pm.
- Central Park's maintenance staff's second shift is listed as 3-10pm. The third shift begins at 10pm.
- The drives are open to car traffic until 7pm. When you contact Central Park to inquire, they recommend running and cycling in the evening after 7pm when the drives are closed to traffic, but don't give a cut off time other than to say "use reasonable safety precautions and don't run after the park closes".
- The park officially closes at 1am.
- The park is a lot more crowded with runners Monday-Wednesday evenings. On Saturday evenings, the park is pretty crowded at dusk with Jewish families after synagogue.
I live in South Harlem so I need to enter the park loop from 110th street. I can't just fly to the reservoir and do loops. During the day, I normally run the bridal path but at night I'll switch to the main loop just because it's well lit and I don't want to trip over rocks on the path. I run alone and absolutely positively do not want to run with other people. I run to music because I'd be bored senseless otherwise. My headphones are not noise canceling and I'd be willing to run with just one ear bud. I also have a nice florescent jacket.
What should be my safety cut off time?
Any thoughts on night running safety tip for Central Park? Shorter winter days mean that I will need to run after dark if I am going to maintain this form of cardio. Last night I skipped my run because it had gotten dark and I don't want to do that again. I realize that running alone at 3am with headphones blaring and waving around an expensive gold iPhone may not be prudent, but how late is reasonable?
So far I've learned:
- Precinct crime statistics say Central Park is one of the safest neighborhood in the city. It appears I would a greater chance of being mugged going for a glass of wine on the upper east side than running through the park.
- Search on Google and a lot of the articles are silly things written for tourists that were obviously written by people from outside of the city who don't have a clue. There are a number of articles featuring midnight runners, but most focus on running the reservoir.
- Many evenings, there is a cop patrolling near the 102nd street transverse and the 72nd street transverse in the evenings. Should that make me nervous or feel safe about taking the transverses?
- The running clubs seem to meet up after sunset at 6:30p and 7:30pm.
- Central Park's maintenance staff's second shift is listed as 3-10pm. The third shift begins at 10pm.
- The drives are open to car traffic until 7pm. When you contact Central Park to inquire, they recommend running and cycling in the evening after 7pm when the drives are closed to traffic, but don't give a cut off time other than to say "use reasonable safety precautions and don't run after the park closes".
- The park officially closes at 1am.
- The park is a lot more crowded with runners Monday-Wednesday evenings. On Saturday evenings, the park is pretty crowded at dusk with Jewish families after synagogue.
I live in South Harlem so I need to enter the park loop from 110th street. I can't just fly to the reservoir and do loops. During the day, I normally run the bridal path but at night I'll switch to the main loop just because it's well lit and I don't want to trip over rocks on the path. I run alone and absolutely positively do not want to run with other people. I run to music because I'd be bored senseless otherwise. My headphones are not noise canceling and I'd be willing to run with just one ear bud. I also have a nice florescent jacket.
What should be my safety cut off time?
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Replies
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First let me say that I wouldn't worry too much. Central Park is a lot safer than it once was many years ago. Let me first suggest that you get a running buddy. You're much better off running with a partner than by yourself. Try to keep a route that is well lit. Also take a path where you know there are usually other people running or walking. I'd also suggest running as early as your schedule allows.
Hope this helps!
solo0 -
Thanks Solo - all very sensible advice. Do you run in the city parks at night? do you mind if I ask which ones and how late you feel comfortable?0
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Running buddy sounds like a great idea ...0
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I grew up in Queens and worked in Manhattan for ten years. I am now living on Long Island. Personally, I would not run alone at night in Central park. I feel uncomfortable even running alone at night where I live. Why look for trouble. The running clubs sound like a great idea, and so does a running buddy or a gym membership to a 24 hour club.0
