Return to Sender: Fully Shod in the Park

Dear Rittenhouse Square:

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the good times we've shared.

Thank you for the picnics. Thank you for the people-watching. Thank you for the adorable dogs and even more adorable children. Thank you for serving as a frequent shortcut. I'm a big fan of any diagonal path that can get me there faster.

Recently, while crossing the park, I saw two young men in t-shirts and baggy blue jeans carry a portable stereo into the park and set up shop near where breakdancers will sometimes park themselves. But instead of breakdancing, the two men launched into an elaborate, beautiful, modern dance combination. They'd chosen the park as their rehearsal space. I'm not sure how long I watched them, but I'm pretty certain it was long enough to make them feel a little uncomfortable. It was the ultimate Rittenhouse moment.

I love your art fairs. I love your farmers' markets. I love your seasonally-appropriate landscaping. I even love your wonky sprinklers. Sure, they can be a little annoying to circumnavigate – but watching people try is one of my great joys. All kinds of people walk through the park and try to avoid your sprinklers, from young women who fear getting their Coach bags wet to parents trying to protect their baby strollers to dog owners whose pets absolutely refuse to get wet, to dog owners whose pets absolutely insist on it.

I always feel safe in Rittenhouse. I never feel alone. No matter what time, day or night, there are always people there. Yeah, I know there was that guy in the park last year, but I can't help but feel that my pepper spray and the dozens of other people around will at least keep me a little protected.

But most of all, Rittenhouse? I always have a friend in the park. And everything else aside, it's enough to keep me coming back.

Image via Flickr user vivahate.