Dogs and parks

[Grassgreendashhabi]

Ok I know dogs need to be walked, but why are the children's areas so small. And the rest of the parks the grassy areas huge.

Why is it not possible for an outside track say 4 meters wide if not larger be fenced off for dogs leaving a centre area for children.

That way children can play football etc and dogs have a huge wide area going around the park.

Our local park is really big but it's covered in dog mess. Or dog wee. The children's area had swings etc and is dog free but there is nowhere to run around

The park must be 3 or 4 acres it could easily have an enormous outer circle easily 20ft wide circling.

It just seems that the dogs take priority over people.

What I take from this post is that you are asking that children take priority over everyone else who wishes to use the park, dog owner or not! Many people wish to enjoy a park but do not necessarily wish to be surrounded by play equipment (which is generally fenced for safety) or areas designated for football etc. By leaving spaces open this allows for all sorts of activity.

Sadly there are some terrible dog owners who don't pick up poop, can't do much about wee (or bird poo/duck poo etc.), but they should be more responsible!

Its not just dog walkers and children that use the park.

Cyclists, joggers, people just out for a stroll, people on a workout.

Do you suggest they either dodge the kids footballs in the child area or dodge the dogs? Or do they just not have a place in your park? Its sounding as though no one other than dog walkers or parents of children have a valid reason to be in the park in your mind OP.

What I mean is some parks like the one I gave as an example is huge. There would be enough space to have different areas.

But why should dog owners automatically have the right to let their dogs on grass areas wee and poo.

There is not one piece of grass that a dog cannot go to. So if I want a pic nic I have to sit where a dog has had a wee.

So dogs take priority over people, including Runners, walkers, children.

Put a picnic blanket down?

Honestly, grass in a park is just that - grass. People tread on it with muddy shoes, spill drinks on it, drop food on it, and even let their toddlers wee on it. Wildlife like birds also poo and wee on it. It's not 'clean except for dog wee'.

our park has a large fenced in playing field where dogs are not allowed.
doesn't stop dog owners using it anyway and they usually get pissy with you if you tell them (politely) to leave...

"There is not one piece of grass that a dog cannot go to. So if I want a pic nic I have to sit where a dog has had a wee."

Really? When it rains it washes tiny bit of potential dog wee off. Also on grass, it's probably a female dog as male ones cock their leg on something that isn't a grass (picnic hamper is always a good place to pee on). So, chances of you sitting down on freshly pissed on grass for a picnic are slim. There's more germs about to be concerned with than dog pee.

What about bird poo? Fox poo? Badger pee? Any wild animal that hasn't been flead or wormed and is riddled with disease....... Because they use the park too 🙀 My daughter has found rabbit droppings to be a great vegetarian and healthy snack btw.

I think you are being a tad unreasonable. Sorry x

I feel similarly aggreived about the ugly swings, slides, climbing frames, etc. blighting what would otherwise be a lovely green space.

Same with the hideous screeching that children do, spoiling a nice peaceful park walk.

Re germs/dirtiness: I also feel similarly irritated about the endless viruses snotty children spread about whom I have to share park space with.

A bit of dog wee pales in comparison.

PS Lighthearted, in case it's not obvious.

I honestly can not get worked up by dog wee.

Dog poo yes, it's annoying. Wee? I really don't care

So designated areas would solve the issue

What if the dog poos or pees on the way into the enclosed area?

I have both dogs and children and the dogs much prefer to run in open spaces - the kids not so.

What 'issue', though? You're the only one that seems to have an issue.

You honestly think all dogs should be confined to a 4 metre strip around the edge of a park, so that you can sit on grass that you can guarantee has never touched dog wee?

Unreasonable.

No I'm asking can there not be designated areas

Ok so dogs are priority to everyone else. Joggers, walkers, children

My point being a seperate grass area for you to enjoy without dogs.

Huh?

You do realise that the dogs are down there with people, right? They don't just take themselves to the park.

Dog owners, dogs, joggers and picnickers can all use the same space. I don't understand why you think people bringing their dogs stops you sharing a space.

Designated areas would solve nothing OP. You have not thought this through. Just this morning I was out driving at 4am - went past a large fenced off children's park and was slightly to see a family of 4 foxes roaming freely around inside the children's area. I'm sure there were signs up warning foxes not to shit or piss on the slides etc but they seemed to be totally ignoring them.
Dog wee is, I think, the very least of your worries.

No we don't have dog wardens. Poo EVERYWHERE.

If you sit on the grass you are pestered by dogs not on leads.

I mean no offence but I do 100% think dogs should be on leads! Especially over parks

I sort of agree. I think there should be fenced off areas for dogs to run around off lead, and they should be on short leads elsewhere.