To the editor:

I am writing to address the topic of city-wide park curfews. Currently, most parks in New Ulm close at 10 pm, and for a city with so many parks (over 25 in their respective categories), New Ulm is especially equipped with “third spaces” for people to enjoy the outdoors. While this is great for folks to enjoy spending time with their community, it is not the most beneficial for those needing a third space after 10 p.m.

In her article, “Why aren’t parks open at night?” Rachel Quednau, the program director for the nonprofit-organization Strong Towns in Milwaukee, discusses the benefits of having no curfews on small parks: “Parks should be open to their communities for late night joggers, people walking home who wish to take a shortcut, frisbee players . . . and 2nd and 3rd shifters who want to walk their dogs when they get done with work.”

She adds that most of the reasons why someone would want to be in a park after dark are safe and reasonable. Not only can parks accommodate for those wanting to enjoy a nice summer night, but they can also provide a third space to teens who want somewhere safe to hang out at night. Many teens in New Ulm with nowhere to go at night look to parks or parking lots to spend their time. However, with strict police patrolling on parks, they are forced to leave and are stopped from being able to enjoy the outdoor time that they might not get otherwise. Adults and teens alike can benefit from abolished park curfews. For those worried about crime and noise, Quednau reasons that other laws like noise curfews would still be in place. In New Ulm’s case, police can still monitor the parks the same way they always have; they just wouldn’t have to worry about the civilians unless there was a disturbance.

Parks encourage community, outdoor exposure, and connection, and those many benefits shouldn’t have to end at 10 pm.

Emily Sowers

New Ulm