Colonel Charles Young Triangle

This little park nestled in the middle of the hood, in Harlem is really hit-​or-​miss. It’s one of two parks in the area named after the Colonel– the other being a playground about 10 blocks south. It’s pretty damned small, as most triangle parks tend to be, but Im not all that big, so it suited me fine.
For about 5 years, this was my go to park for getting out in the sun, reading, relaxing, and on occasion, even picnicking. I never picnicked here on the weekends though, as it tended to get really crowded with grilling, birthday parties, and loud raucous conversations. But for the most part, this pasty fellow never had any issues being in the minority, often topless.
There’s maybe a half-​acre of grass, separated into a few locations as well as numerous benches nestled throughout. Shade from the lovely sycamore, elm and maple trees in the summer provide for a relaxing environment for one to hang next to The Harlem River. The reason this park is hit or miss for me, is that many of the locals treat this park like it’s a dog park– allowing their wild, undisciplined canines to run freely and shit liberally like a doggy scat party. No one bothers to pick up after their animals, and I even got into it with people on numerous occasions about their laziness.
Haven’t been there in about a year though; hopefully it’s not as shitty…