How long has it been since you went to the park? When’s the last time you just drove out to that long stretch of grass between Upas and the 5 Freeway, alongside Sixth Avenue, and let yourself be a kid again? If you haven’t gone in awhile, you should get out there because, on any given Saturday or Sunday, the population on that stretch of grass is both predominantly gay and predominantly friendly.

Absent is a lot of the attitude sometimes associated with the Hillcrest night life, yet the park provides many opportunities to meet new people and expand one’s circle of friends in a sports-rich environment.

Oh, and the eye candy is freakin’ amazing!

Whether your type is the lean twink, the muscled gym bunny, the manly bear or all of the aforementioned, you’ll see them at the park rollerblading, bicycling, jogging, sunbathing and even playing volleyball.

But, seriously, it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends.

When I first moved to San Diego years ago, I heard of a group of gay volleyball players that would let you walk on to play, just like that.

I didn’t really know anybody at the time, so I thought it was a good idea to try.

I drove down to the park, and there were about 10 volleyball nets set up. I, of course, went to the wrong one, but was politely redirected to the last net on the strip.

I pulled up, got out of the car, and someone came over to me almost right away and invited me to sit down and watch and wait my turn. I did. When my turn came, I rotated in and had a blast. Some of the people I met that day I still keep in touch with today.

Eric Kennedy, who plays at one of the volleyball nets in the park, says a lot has changed in the past few years. There are fewer nets and fewer volleyball players, but the welcoming atmosphere has remained.

“When I first started going to volleyball,” Kennedy recalled, “there were 10 nets set up every Saturday and Sunday. Now there are maybe three.”

But, Kennedy points out, newbies can still usually come out and play on what has been nicknamed “the bear net” because of the hirsute and husky nature of some of the players who have adopted it.

Kennedy says each of the nets try to observe basic volleyball rules and generally frown upon the concept of jungle ball. “We play three-hit volleyball; a bump, set and spike,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy and friends usually set up their volleyball net on Saturdays at 1 p.m. “Sometimes people bring coolers, chairs, hang out for the afternoon,” he said. The bear group usually plays about four or five hours straight.

Wear tennis shoes. Sandals or bare feet can cause an unpleasant ankle injury.

Bring plenty of sunscreen, the kind that can stand up to sweat.

Bring a cooler or water to stay hydrated. Grape Gatorade is my favorite. No alcohol is permitted and glass bottles are a no-no.

Be polite. If you want to play, ask if you can join in.

Bring a camping chair of some kind to rest, or a blanket to lie on the grass.

Come with a great attitude. Be there to have fun, but take the game a little seriously.

There is another group of gay volleyball players at the park on most Saturdays. These are the A and AA-rated players. This is not a walk-on net, but they are a friendly group, and if you want to see really good volleyball played by really good volleyball players, this is a good place to stop on your trek.

I know it can be a little daunting going up to strangers to play a little ball in the park, but I promise, I know a lot of these guys and they’re truly nice folks.

If you understand the rules of volleyball, even if you aren’t very good, this is a great way to get out, enjoy the sun and meet some great new people.

It doesn’t cost anything to play, although if some of the equipment is getting worn, the group will collect a donation from everyone to help buy a new ball, so the tradition of fun, recreational volleyball in the park can continue.