chuff

I've just received an online petition about this, it states that they are petitioning mayor of southwark Abdul Mohamed and Rebecca Towers, manager of the parks team. It also states that the council want to increase on lead areas for dogs. I'm not sure whether this is correct information but it's out there now. Will try to attach a link if I can. Edited, wrong info...

A few hours isn't that that bad is it? For the gazebo I mean. I don't think it would bother me unless blocking a major walking route or so large that you couldn't use the area too. It's a big park. I get what you're saying kk and the park ending up as a campsite would not be good, but I don't think a gazebo somewhere discreet would bother me. People quite regularly have bunting strung around wire structures for children's parties in there and parts are often roped off for rounders matches, I doubt they get permission. Just for the record, I'm far too lazy to do anything like the above myself. Watching is tiring enough.

barriedalenick Can you tell me the dog area in dulwich park that you're referring to? I know that until I read the document from southwark stating on lead, off lead and prohibited areas, that I had got it wrong in places. Some of the signs aren't that well placed. Having a fence around the central area seems like a sensible idea to me.

I've seen a few people put up tents, one was huge and outside the tennis courts by the ice cream van. Was a very busy, hot day and they seemed to be there for a long time. Maybe they turn a blind eye, as long as its not bothering anyone else. Can't imagine many would complain. Edited to say many would complain rather than any, bad typing.

Somebody told me yesterday that the notice is on the gate at honor oak park too. I wonder why it's not as obvious at dulwich park? Weird.

Yes for your particular issue it is. It's possible it includes the entrance opposite Barry road and upwards towards the centre from there through the gardens? I've not been to Peckham rye for a while so could have my bearings off. Have a read through that document, I may have misinterpreted it. I've been doing a lot of that today!

It says central landscaped area I think on this document http://www.southwark.gov.uk/download/6454/dog_ban_and_dogs_on_leads_byelaws

And DaveR I apologise, I misunderstood the parks question. I thought you meant dog free parks rather than in each park, So back to the other answer, we already have those areas in all southwark parks. There is a document somewhere in the thread stating the areas in each park.

DaveR Really? That's exactly how the thread has appeared? I must need my eyes checked then as it reads nothing like you've stated. Most of us, even with opposing views are managing to have reasonable discussions about it. On your point (though I've noticed you've not answered a few questions directed at you), for some parks to be dog free, some on leads and some with no restrictions. How would it be decided? And who would do that? Why should one set of residents be restricted in their local park and others have all restrictions lifted? This could work for smaller parks that are mostly children's playgrounds, close to larger ones but how many instances of two parks in an area are there? I don't use Peckham Rye as I live right at Dulwich Park gates and having to travel further to walk my dog would be a big inconvenience as I walk through for school drop off and back on the way to my office. It would mean less exercise for me and my dog as time is tight generally. One of the reasons for getting a dog for me was having the park on my doorstep and making sure I used it every day, whatever the weather. Generally I'm happy to have dog free areas in each park, as we already have and if it's just a case of a warden making sure these rules are adhered to, then it certainly looks to me from this thread that responsible owners are in favour. But and it is a but, Southwark haven't said what they are considering so how can anyone say that it won't be a ban or any of the other suggestions mentioned on here any more than they can say it will? I've typed this on my tiny phone screen so please don't call me stupid for any typo's. Edited for stupid typo. Ha ha!

For the same reasons dogs aren't allowed in playgrounds I would think and I wouldn't expect a dog to be running around while school activities are taking place. Could it be that reducing the space in the parks would force more dogs/families/cyclists/football games to the same areas and that it may have less opposition from the non dog owning community if those areas were exclusively for their use? I don't know anything about the legalities regarding schools using parks spaces though so feel free to put me straight. I do think it's a good idea for school children to use parks but would hope that ownership of that land would stay as parkland. Do southwark ever reply to emails?

I'd just like to know exactly what they have in mind before committing to a view on it. If it stated on the survey that they were considering allocating funding for dog wardens to issue fines for fouling and instruct owners to put dogs on leads in the appropriate area, then I'd say yes. If it stated that a dog ban was being considered, I'd say no. The dog control warden they mention in the survey, doesn't say what powers they will have if appointed. I still think that if there are as many incidents as suggested by the survey, then all households should receive printed notification, as not everyone will be aware of the notices on the noticeboards. If they have been handing them out however as suggested in earlier posts, then it's not been that successful.

There is a dog free section in Dulwich Park and on the lead areas. I'm probably not explaining myself very well (normal for me). To have someone policing these areas and enforcing fines for not picking up poo is already in Southwark's power, I don't get why they need public approval to action this. I too saw the notice on the court lane notice board but wouldn't have looked unless pointed out to me. Some people saw surveys being handed out, I haven't seen any of them.

and my point about the staff hoping for a ban is because the restrictions are already in place, so it's got to be more restrictions at the very least. If a ban is being discussed then that is surely feasible too?

Agreed, I would expect a boys school of 900 ish boys to be able to use the public spaces too. Keeping those spaces public however is important, apart from maybe between school hours. Assume this would be a health and safety concern. It comes down to Southwark making their intentions clear.

Also Harris Boys School planning talked about using areas of Peckham Rye for their outdoor sports, but for some reason this hasn't happened. So Firstmate's suggestion of parks being reclaimed as playing fields is also feasible I think.

If you're right Keane, then yes all good but I do know some of the staff at Dulwich Park are hoping a dog ban is imposed so the idea must have come from somewhere. That's what worries me.

I'd also just like to say that for every person that dislikes dogs, there is one that loves them but for whatever reason can't or just doesn't have one. I would say on fifty percent of my walks, I get into conversation with people, especially the elderly and people with special needs that want to pet my dog. One lady told me she comes to the park solely to have contact with them as she misses them in her day to day life and one young man out with his carer will stroke any dog he can announcing that you've made his day. I hope these people see and have a chance to complete the survey too.

Well, yes LD. Not to mention that a lot of dogs, especially young ones need to play with other dogs to socialise and be tolerant of each other.

Keane The dog free areas, on lead areas and poo fines are already in place so the council don't need to ask the public whether they want them or to have them enforced. Whatever they are hoping to get the support for, it will be more than the current restrictions. A warden to police these issues would also just be a matter of funding, surely? People have been talking about a dog ban, on the street as such, not just here on the Forum and it is possible isn't it? I would hate to be hoodwinked into thinking i was filling in a survey for one thing, only to find it being used to promote a larger issue and one I disagree with. It would be helpful for Southwark to inform everyone of their goal. Mako I did pick up a rogue poo in the bushes. Generally though I don't see it in the park, mostly on the pavements tbh.

Yes it was the zeppelin tribute band, I realised right at the end. Luckily it did finish at 10.30. The week before must have been something else though, it went on for ages.

Was going to say lion dung but that probably stinks too. Works though.

There is a ginkgo tree on court lane, when the buds fall off and get trodden on, it stinks like puke. Really vile!

Ah I think it's live music from The Dog! Bloody loud all the way over here though. Grrr.

Yes, sounds like live music. Really loud where I am but can't find it. It keeps getting louder too.

Can anyone else hear the loud outdoor music coming from court lane direction? Was the same last week, with dj too but can't work out where it's coming from. Not the park as have checked.