Aibu- walking dog In children’s park/ play area

[Sleeplessem]

So there is a small fenced off park/ play area where we live, residents actually pay an annual fee for its maintenance (which is a bit ridiculous really considering how small the area is, but that’s not relevant here). There is a very clear sign that says no dogs. Fair enough right.

Well the amount of times I’ve seen dog mess and dog mess bags (full of poop) just scattered around the park makes me really angry. I can’t let me near 2 year old play and explore in the kids area, which I pay for because some people are exercising their dogs there and not properly cleaning up.

Well today, DH and I went after work to the play area with dd and there was a lady exercising her dog there. Not saying she doesn’t clean up after it, but that’s not really the point to me as clearly some people aren’t and there’s a very clear sign on entry that says no dogs.

I wanted to very politely say something to the lady but DH talked me out of it. Would you have said something? DH agrees people shouldn’t walk dogs there but just more of the rash life kinda guy. The dog was clearly not a service dog of any kind so I do feel like there is no excuse to walk a dog in a child’s park. Am I wrong here? Would you have said something?

I have 2 dogs. I would never walk them in a children’s park or any area where children frequent. I would definitely have said something. It’s owners like this that give all dog owners a bad name 🤨

OP There must be someone or a committee administering the park area if you have to pay for it.

The problems are several. If it's not registered as a dog walking area, then it undoubtedly doesn't have dog poo bins.

If it''s part of - say - a development but near to other buildings, people from outside the development may be using it.

Find out who administers the area and raise it as an issue, preferably with other residents. If it's fenced already it wouldn't be too hard to put in a gate with a coded lock.

@crosstalk

OP There must be someone or a committee administering the park area if you have to pay for it.

The problems are several. If it's not registered as a dog walking area, then it undoubtedly doesn't have dog poo bins.

If it''s part of - say - a development but near to other buildings, people from outside the development may be using it.

Find out who administers the area and raise it as an issue, preferably with other residents. If it's fenced already it wouldn't be too hard to put in a gate with a coded lock.

You know I have no idea who manages it, I’ve just asked DH who we pay the yearly maintenance to and he said we’ve not paid it. But I distinctly remember the developers telling us about it (new build estate). But you’re right, there are no dog poo bins.

I’m not sure if it attracts people from off the estate, truthfully the park is a bit crap, few swings and a tiny climbing frame and then just some wood chippings where it looks like they were going to put more but never bothered. So I’m not sure if people would bother as there’s not too many other houses around us, and those that are would be a bit of a walk and there are other ‘better’ parks closer to those houses. We just go here because it’s close and convenient after work.

I think it most likely is some selfish buggers from the estate as there’s always dog poo on the street too and we live in a cul de sac, so it’s obviously neighbourhood people.

We are incredibly fortunate to have lots of local kids play areas near us and none of them allow dogs and I've never seen a dog in any of them. I guess we are also fortunate to have plenty of good open parks to walk dogs and also nice general walks.
I don't think I've seen dog poop out on the floor anywhere (let alone a kids play area) for months and it's a seldom rare thing here. The council are shit hot to enforce fines and people are generally considerate.
I have a toddler and a dog and I would never take the dog into a play park or kids area.

YANBU! However need to address it sensitively and I don't know how I would bring it up. I'd probably hope someone else did it so I didn't look like the bad guy.