| Abstract/Contents: | "Recreation, the pleasurable occupation of leisure time, need only re-create the individual, it doesn't have to be 'good' or 'wholesome.' We don't talk about the dark side. What better time to do so than prowling down town at night? Purple Recreation is a term coined in the USA to describe socially unacceptable recreation. JB Nash, in the 1950s espoused various levels of recreation in his recreation pyramid where we should aim to get people to higher forms of recreation, actively participating, rather than being entertained. However his pyramid diagram includes descending levels of recreation below ground (perhaps closer to hell), starting with "acts against the self" (e.g. drug taking, glue sniffing, winos, street kids etc) and the depths of recreational depravity "acts against society" (e.g. graffiti, vandalism, possibly prostitution etc). Discover what goes on after midnight in Auckland's CBD. In a city where there are more Star Marts than Starbucks, the lights of these 24-hour outlets attract youths like moths to a candle. When contractors begin their nightly refuse collections and street cleaning services the streets are still alive with intoxicated youth, hookers, street kids, the homeless, and predatory opportunist looking for action. Auckland City is having to develop strategies for dealing with a variety of new issues associated with growing trends in inner city residential living. Clubs and pubs stay open until after dawn, lighting parks that once were empty after 9:00pm, and providing a security presence to increase public's sense of safety are some of the issues. Whilst we invite you to 'Take a walk on the wild side' this tour is aimed to provide you the experience you'd get on a South African game safari in the safe comfort of a 25-seater midi-bus, without direct exposure to the creatures of the night. The tour will begin across Aotea Square behind the Town Hall where you will be collected at 1:30AM sharp. Look for the Vampire. The mini-bus will travel to the following destinations for a brief visits and discussion on specific aspects of security and/or operational concerns: Albert Park, the beautiful and historic inner city premier park opposite the Auckland University. Security issues include vandalism, sleping/homeless, lighting, fountain pranks, etc. Rolling tour of the inner CBD, Queen Street, High Street, Freyburg Square, Fort Street, and other popular haunts that offer challenging obstacles to the street and footpath cleaning services, illegal refuse dumping, graffiti and vandalism. You'll find yourdself asking the question "Does her parents know she's out this late, dressed like that?" Karangahape Rd, see how the nightlife loitering outside the numerous clubs restricts the ability to deliver mechanical footpath cleaning services. Enjoy a visit to an alleyway stop to examine the needle exchange unit installed and maintained by the Needle Exchange Programme for local users. We'll take a ride through the Auckland Domain and check out the deterrents installed to discourage boy racers from hooning around the Museum. Unfortunately we can't keep them off the grass. And for the very brave, a short stroll into Symonds Street Cemetery. This old historic cemetery is the resting place of Captain Hobson and many other famous early Aucklanders and at night is probably the creepiest place you'll ever venture. Take a quick look at Myers Park in the heart of the CBD and hear about the CPTED issues of finding the balance between provision of safe lighting versus creating a perception this site of many violent attacks is safe at night. Make up your own mind if you would feel safe walking up the path." |
|---|
