[cstreit]

Good question. You know, I might be tempted to walk down to the station and say just what you said here.

Something to the effect of "Hey, I understand that someone might be nervous about their kids talking to a stranger, but to ban ME from a public park for an over-worried parent is not right.

Obviously challenging the officers in public won't get you anywhere.. Perhaps if you show up and have a reasonable conversation on their turf they'll be more at ease and reasonable.. because they were clearly NOT being reasonable on-site.

If this is a public park you have every right... ...and if this doesn't work I suppose it is up to you whether or not you want to fight, and bring potential problems on yourself.

I'd find out first if it really IS public. There's no way in hell they could arrest you if it is and you aren't doing anything illegal or "disturbing the peace." What would they charge you with?