Marietta perplexed by cruising, public sex at A.L. Burruss Park
July 10, 2009 at 1:28 pm by Thomas Wheatley in NewsThe City of Marietta, the bustling metropolis up I-75 where people are all pissed off about President Barack Obama shutting down fighter-jet production and big government hating on cigarette lovers, is once again tackling A.L. Burruss Park, a cloistered wooded area near Dobbins Air Force Base and Life University that’s well-known for “cruising.”
If you grew up in Marietta, like I did, you often heard about the police busts and TV news teams conducting “investigative reports” at the 46-acre park. Men would often drive to the park from around metro Atlanta, walk into the woods, and meet for casual or anonymous sex.
The Marietta Daily-Journal reports today that city government is now wondering what the hell to do with the place, where police have made as many 10 misdemeanor arrests in one month. There are talks of turning it into standalone greenspace or even closing it for several years to curtail the illegal activity.
Marietta City Councilman Grif Chalfant just plain doesn’t understand the appeal.
“I don’t understand that group – a perverted bunch,” [Marietta Councilman Grif Chalfant] said, referring to gay men having sex in the parks. “I don’t know anybody who goes there. I wouldn’t want to be there. It’s like lover’s lane for – whatever.”
…
“Normal people have nothing do over there except for a couple of trails. If we had a soccer field, normal people would use it. If you make it a destination place you will possibly eliminate the problem,” he said.
A city official stresses the crackdown “wasn’t a matter of singling out a particular segment of the community.” But according to one of the article’s commenters, they might be unwittingly doing so.
So says “Enter Your Name”:
With cigar smoking and gay sex in the city parks being criminalized, what are married conservative men to do with themselves around here? Molest more children?
July 10th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
But when will CBS 46 ask the Tough Questions (TM) about buttsecks among men married to wives in East Cobb who are strung out on Percodan?
July 10th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
oh great, i used to jog in that park. i knew something was a little seedy with it…
July 10th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
@rptrcub,
Dare I say best comment o’ the day?
July 11th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
As a graduate student in the college of chiropractic at Life University I have been observate to this behavior while running the trails around Life. My suggestion to create a healthy enviroment for the community is to build a playground for the children in the area that have nothing to do. Recreating this space will bring new life to this beautiful area.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I thought Craigslist had replaced old fashion park cruising. Maybe the city could give these men laptops at the park entrance.