With all the stuff going on today, I can see why it is scary. What I'd say/do is start your day with Duas, and everything you do, do it in the name of Allah SWT. Then just live your life. Be smart and vigilant about your surroundings, obviously you wouldn't want to be in central park late at night alone. You don't want that fear to take over your life and stop you from doing every day things. In terms of the park. What you could do is start small. Start by going towards a certain entrance for a few days. And as you feel comfortable slowly going further into the park as time passes. Or like someone suggested go with a friend, and definitely get pepperspray. Get more than one. First one as practice so you're acquainted with how to use it. And then put the others in easy access places. Bag, keychain, one in the house? whatever you see fit.