How would you feel about this gym situation - one for men especially?

This would be my take on it, too.

No one is restricting kids from the areas of the park where adults are allowed. Also, most kids old enough / developed enough to be interested in strategy games like chess are old enough not to be too interested in playgrounds anymore.

For that matter, why should adults be excluded from the swings?

No, I didn’t go there. I said he was creepy. That’s what I meant to say. Fighting for your right to stare at women and children, for whatever reason, even if it’s only to make a quixotic stand, is creepy and awful.

That’s ridiculous. Sue them on what grounds? What harm was done to him?

Does this person happen to go by the name Aqualung my friend? He shouldn’t start away uneasy.

Assuming lots, the worst case scenario is that some of the Moms were uncomfortable with having their kids exercise being on display, feeling creeped out in some way (since he was there first they cannot assume he came there to watch them). Of course it could have been that adults exercising above was felt to be distracting to little ones. Or many other explanations. But assume the worst case - what is wrong with doing something that avoids some discomfort for those Moms? Roll your eyes if you must but getting seriously upset is creepy.

I thought this was interesting. It seems even if the cops say “they’re dealing drugs at the chess tables,” people still hate it.

Given that they apparently confiscated a bunch of chessboards that belonged to the private citizens who were playing, I’d be pissed too. Chess isn’t illegal. Confiscate the drugs, if you must, but not the chessboards.

I’d be annoyed if they removed chessboards built and maintained by the city/park, but at least I could understand that it belongs to the city and they can do what they want with it. Taking perfectly legal stuff away from people is inexcusable.

Legal measures?!

Damn, I wish I never cancelled my gym membership. If there’s money to be made from closing the blinds I could be RICH from those assholes hiding the children in a purpose-built room on a different floor on the other side of the building!