I understand how fortunate I am, as a Haligonian, to have the Public Gardens. They are a great feature of the city and I frequent them as much as I am able. I even understand many of the rules they have instated over the years, due to the high volume of traffic through every day. But the other day my buttons were pushed. On the way to work in the morning, my boyfriend and I decided to walk through the Public Gardens – it makes for a great start to the day and it cuts a couple minutes off the walk. He had his bike with him, but because I was on foot he decided to walk it. We were about halfway through the Gardens when one of their not-so-kindly officers informed us that we would have to exit the Gardens immediately. I understand the rationality behind banning bikes from the Gardens – I do. However, walking a bike through the Gardens certainly causes less disruption, damage, and danger than the oversized, motorized vehicle the officer patrols about in to inform individuals like us that our actions are unacceptable. I am not opposed to the Public Gardens enforcing their many rules. And even though I do not see the rational of forcing out someone who is clearly walking their bike along the paths to get through, opposed to riding it, I do not mind remedying my actions if I am in the wrong. But the manner in which this officer told us to exit was unnecessarily rude. I would have left the Gardens that morning, even with my walk cut short, still happy… but because of the officer’s decision to approach the situation with disdain my morning got off to a rather irritating and frustrating start. Thanks for ruining my walk. Next time I come to the Public Gardens I will be sure to leave the bike at home – but instead of being petty, I will continue to take my manners with me. Maybe you could try doing the same!
This article appears in May 29 – Jun 4, 2008.
I’m glad to see that your gripe is really with the attitude of the officer and not with him enforcing what may be a silly rule. This guy would probably approach tourists (who are less likely to be aware of all the rules, and more likely than locals to break them) with the same attitude, leaving a sour taste in their mouths as well, and tarnishing their enjoyment of the Gardens.As for walking your bike through the Gardens….seems like a silly rule too since you see lots of strollers and wheelchairs running through there all the time (so it can’t be the space it takes up on the paths). The danger of the bike is the speed, which is only problematic when you are actually RDING it.
No kidding! You would think Mr. Park Ranger would appreciate the fact that your boyfriend was actually respecting the bike rule by walking it instead of riding on it! It bugs me that some of those guys have had a few bad encounters with rule-breakers and now they think everyone who isn’t being a perfect park-pariticipant is deserving of their rude little power trips.
this ranger sounds like an asshole. he’d probably have a problem with the bike even if your boyfriend was carrying it through the gardens!