Noisy communal area ~with diagram~

[GimbleInTheWabe]

The block of flats I live in backs on to a smallish grassy communal area which is surrounded by housing. There's also a path which acts as a cut through on to the main road which is behind the top houses. See diagram for clarity. This area attracts all and sundry.

The area seems to only be used by people from all over, not just surrounding housing, as a place for their dog to crap. In the four years I've lived here I've only seen kids play here once and once v recently a group of people relax in the area for a bit. Many people don't pick up the dog poo either but that's a different story!

My gripe isn't about people using the area for their dogs (we live right next to a huge park so I'd rather go there anyway) but the dog owners are so noisy and wake up 9mo DS, obviously this is during the day and when he's gone down for the evening.

I know people have to take their dogs out but in such a residential area you'd think they'd be quieter. They will shout their dogs names or commands or will often have loud conversations across the area if they have a pal with them. There are many people who use this area not just one person, otherwise I'd try and have a word.

I get next to no sleep as it is so when DS is woken up early from a nap or after I've just settled him for the evening it is really annoying.

AIBU?! Is there anything I can do or do I just have to suck it up?

Nice diagram! Very unique. Sorry you might have to suck it up or do you have a reprensative or body you can bring the feaces issue up with. I have a DD 11 months and where I live the kids are on summer break and setting fireworks off somehow only when she’s napping very annoying it’s useua bangers.

Is it council owned, could you ask them to put up a sign about being considerate?

Is it open 24/7?

I must admit, I said no to one of DP's choices for our flat, it was opposite a green. We viewed after work in winter and I said to him, it might be quiet now but in general, living by a public green space probably just means noise. People seem to think noise is okay everywhere all the time. You have my sympathies.

Amazing diagram, this is the second of this type I've seen on MN, mind if I ask what software you used?

I think you just have to suck it up, sorry. I work nights and this time of year I have to try and sleep whilst people outside in the street talk really loudly or shout to each other outside my window, kids play, people take ages to park their cars with music playing loudly and the windows open, honk the horn as they drive away from their friends’ houses etc.

It’s incredibly frustrating but people who aren’t trying to get a baby to sleep or sleep themselves mostly don’t appreciate it and many would argue it’s their right to be noisy in the day time anyway.

Is there any way for you and the other residents who share the grassy area to approach whoever is in charge of the housing you live at/landlord and ask for a fence to keep outsiders off the grass so it's just for residents use only, because that is literally like having the general public trampling through your garden with their dogs , ask your neighbours if they would be interested in getting together as a group and asking for a fence to be put up

As far as I know it is owned by the landlord (a huge London private landlord) @LighthouseSouth so not public per se though no fencing or signage to deter waifs and strays. I think because it is grassy people turn on their loud outside voices even though it's actually quite small! Yeah I saw someone else do a diagram like this on MN so stole the idea haha I did it on instagram stories (obvs didn't post it) and screen shot my masterpiece.

Thank you @Darkstar4855 I fear you may be right. It's more the shouting after their dogs (who are a max of 20 feet away!) that annoys me but not as a dog owner maybe you are supposed to call your dog loudly?

Thanks for understand @ElderflowerWaterIsDelish. I think I may have a word with the housing company just in case there's something they can do. At least about the dog poo which, even though I don't use the grassy area, it's not nice to see when I walk past! My neighbour below also has a baby so if I bump in to her maybe I'll ask.

I'm not usually a misery guts and tbh I was probably a loud and annoying person in my previous non-baby life too. DS is such a bad sleeper though that it gets me so annoyed when these silly noises wake him. Big girl pants are being pulled up now!

Thanks @LadyOdd. It is the fruits of a 20 min night feed for DS.

Sorry that you're also dealing with noise. I know living in a city it's pretty much a given but it still gets to me.

sorry I misunderstood

if the landlord owns it then it could certainly be fenced off and you could all be given a key. that would depend on people being willing to pay of course but it would help massively with the noise.

ooh I must look up Instagram stories - thank you.

As an instant fix have you tried putting another noise in your baby’s room? Radio/white noise would help mask the other noise.