Human Feces Common in Lot Across From Park on Chicago's North Side

Tucked away behind a host of parked CTA trains and abutting Calvary Cemetery on the southern edge of Evanston lies Triangle Play Lot Park, which at first glance seems to be a nice spot for a getaway on the far north side of Chicago in Rogers Park.

But a recent article published by DNAinfo.com Chicago notes something that makes this park different from most others affiliated with the Chicago Park District.

There are no bathrooms.

And, as a result, the small parking lot just south of the park has been turned into a human toilet for some.

“Neighbors say a small private parking lot used by residents across the street from Triangle Play Lot Park in Rogers Park has become a literal dumping ground for parkgoers who must find a way to relieve themselves without any public toilets,” reports DNAinfo’s Linze Rice.

Rice interviewed Dan Tarver - president of a condo association overlooking Triangle Park. He said people often set up camp for the day and party at the park, but when it comes time to go to the bathroom, there is nowhere to go.

“He said usually people will walk next to or behind a parked vehicle, squat and do their thing rather than traveling the two blocks south to any one of the businesses along Howard Street,” according to Rice.

“It’s been going on for years, and we just happen to have a parking lot there, and it’s just the most obvious place to drop your drawers and pinch a loaf,” Tarver said, laughing.

Tarver is known locally as the “trash man,” since he frequently cleans up after others in the park and the parking lot across the street. The dirtiest part of that duty: garbage that has poop on it.

Rice also shared the words of a neighbor and nearby business owner, who witnessed an exchange between another neighbor who confronted a urinating woman in the process.

“Her exact phrasing was, ‘B----, I pee where I want,’ though I’m sure she’d rather be in a porta-potty,”the business owner said. “Setting people up to fail is a big problem with this park: You’re inviting them here into the park, you need to have a bathroom. It just seems like a simple solution to me.”

A park district spokeswoman told Rice she was unaware of the situation, but will look into it.

more via DNAinfo.com Chicago