Swashbuckling in public

[Nihilena]

So, I was thinking about some unorthodox promotion for my salle. There is a public park about a mile from my house, and being the enterprising and insatiable young fencers that we are, myself and some friends of mine were thinking about using the park as a demonstration spot with a tiny bit of sparring. Nothing aggressive on the advertising part, mind you, all word of mouth direction to interested parties.

Now, my question is in regards to using the public land. There would be six of us, maximum, for about two hours total. Provided we check that there aren't any private reservations for the park, would it be bad to just show up and set up equipment? Or would we need to get a permit first?

This would, again, be on a really small scale, but my maestro told me to ask, and I don't want to wade through governmental regulations...

[LUDICROUS]

I can't see anything wrong with a bunch of fencers fencing in a park. Its a public space, you don't hire a park..

[ThatReallyHurt]

I've seen people practicing juggling lit torches...

All the same, it may not hurt talking to your local police branch and asking... some people see a (relatively) harmless practice weapon and immediately think "SWORD!!!"

[The Armourer]

In the UK you would have a problem because of the length of the bare blade exceeding the permitted legal limit (I think thats right but stand to be corrected). Alain when he was in Montpellier France gave fencing lessons in a local park and the most he got was spectators (including the park wardens). So, the suggestion above is right - check for local conditions.

[scrapinpeg]

Depends on your locality. Some require permits for such activities, others don't.

Here in NYC, you could be required to get a permit, although much of our daily street theater gleefully ignores this requirement. Some jurisdictions, however, might be a little more picky. Especially if your purpose is of an advertising nature. Or it's a slow day for the cops.

[jeff]

I was personally escorted out of New York City's Washington Square Park for fencing, along with a teammate. Though it shouldn't be a problem, it might be.... Best to check with the authorities (Parks Department? Local police precinct)

[bwoodward]

Sometimes it's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission.

[Grasshopper]

Why not just to footwork in the park? Everybody loves footwork!

[mrbiggs]

I would definately OK it with the police first. Be sure to point out that they're not sharp (On either the tips or sides), that you're wearing safety equipment, that you won't get into anybody's way, etc.

[Larrison]

Hmm.. I've done this several times over the years -- fencing in a park. We never got permission, although we were very careful about safety. The public regulations about weapons typically don't apply to fencing weapons, since they aren't edged, nor concealed. And when we did it, we actually put up some stakes and ribbon to outline a safe area so folks didn't get so close they could get hit, and had a couple of teammates standing around in their whites to police the boundaries (and answer questions). Safety first! - make sure some kid doesn't wander in too close (and you'll get kids watching you I'm sure).

We didn't get police permission -- didn't see any reason to, any more than a baseball team with their bats did. But we also went out of our way to be safe about it. In one case we had a park "attendant" come over to see what we were doing, and he had a friendly chat with us while watching what we were doing for a few minutes. After we showed him some of the practice stuff, and we made sure that we were taking appropriate safety precautions with masks, jackets, gloves, etc and were making sure no one could inadvertantly wander into the path of the blades, he wandered off again and didn't come back.

[telkanuru]

Why not just to footwork in the park? Everybody loves footwork!

Ah, memories of advancing and retreating down the path by Memorial Drive...

You Bostonians know what I mean, I think

[striker]

Here are a couple of suggestions that might be helpful.

It is prudent to talk to the park officials to let them know beforehand.
There is no specific law against Fencing in the park but every city and
park may have its own ordinance, limiting the park usage to
"approved activities". Fencing in the public may not be on that list.

If at all possible try to find a place that looks like a stage on higher ground.
The audience can see the action better and the helpers will be able to
keep the audience at a safe distance.

[Epeecurean]

I'm in the "don't ask" camp, just do it with due safety as you would with any sport. Ask them, and they are more likely to say no.

Armourer, as far as the UK, I'd say that fencing sports equipment such as foils, epees and sabres are merely metal rods and are not "bare blades". The have neither a sharp edge or point.

[VELISARIOS]

I suggest you to take a permition...you ll never know...

[jeff]

Sometimes it's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission.

Another little gem from Grace Hopper... (without the "sometimes")

[Gav]

Epeecurean, you are correct. Epee, Foils and Sabre's are not classed as weaponary. Thay are only Swords according to our own definition and conceit. Having saif that if you walk down the street acting like an idiot and wacing it in peoples faces then you deserve what you get from the Police.

[Gav]

When I was a student I fenced in buchanan st bus station in Glasgow.

[Red #40]

Back in my college days we fences in parks all the time, the one police officer who came to investigate ended up joining the club for a little while.

I hate to admit it, but this is one place where the SCA folks may have more knowledge since they do most of their combat in parks.

[CvilleFencer]

I have fenced in parks. For that mater I have done kendo and bladework in parks. When I was in Austin there was a Ninjitsu (or at least that is what they liked to think of themselves as) group that used to come out and do bare hand vs. blade kata's and Sai/kama vs. Ninja-to and/or Katana! Our local SCA group uses parks for heavy (plate armor and clubs) as well as light fencing. Parks are public places in most parts of the world, to be enjoyed by the public. I have never had any problems or heard tale of any problems from the donut assassins about this type of thing as long as you look like you know what you are doing and you don't have bit signs that read Fence at Salle Bob up everywhere.

I would not bother to ask since most of the people who you would ask are not going to have any idea what the sport really is, so I would just say go for it. It is a good idea to find a nice shelter or tennis court, basketball pad or some other kind of hard surface to fence on however.

[Alain]

Alain's Golden Rule: "It's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission".

With this in mind, I'd go for it. Just be careful, and don't kill anyone...