Sand in Peckham rye park

[SOLLEY]

The sand that has appeared on Peckham rye- childrens sand play area or dog toilet? Currently being used as both. You put sand in the middle of a park kids are going to want to jump in it (mine included) & dogs will poo in it (mine tried but I didn't let her unlike other dog owners) Pretty disgusting & a little confusing..

[Earl Aelfheah]

It is a bit odd. Seems to be proper 'play sand' as opposed to builders sand as well... Which adds to the confusion as to the intention. Anyone know why it's there?

[Earl Aelfheah]

... There were loads of kids playing thre the other day. Anyone letting heir dog use it as a toilet should have their noses rubbed in the 'doings'.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I'm assuming you mean Dulwich park? Unless there is some in Peckham too?

[SOLLEY]

No I mean Peckham rye park. There were at least 3 dog poops in it this morning.

[Earl Aelfheah]

It's the same in Dulwich park, which makes me think it must be intended for kids to play in. Weird how in both cases it's just randomly dumped with no sign or anything.

[boosboss]

It's for the maintenance of the pitches. The grounds keepers spread it.

[Cora]

Think it's a fantastic addition...can't it be covered each night? Just temporary sand over the summer?

[Earl Aelfheah]

The problem is the dogs are pooing in it during the day

[creeder]

Definitely there for the pitch maintenance but currently brilliant for children. Gutted as had so much fun there yesterday so went back today and found so many dog poo's. Completely aware that it's so appealing for dogs but just, naively hoped owners would know that children would want to play in it too and would clean up as they would else where.

[Magali]

Always blaming the dogs! how about cats or foxes'poo? Are you all animal poop experts?!

[SOLLEY]

No expert, just too big for cats or foxes, and yes I have a dog so I do know what dog poo looks like compared to cats and foxes.

[Earl Aelfheah]

It tasted like it came from a dog.

[Mugglesworth]

Dogs are allowed to roam free on that part of the Rye. Owners should be picking up solid waste but dogs will still wee in sand and not all dog owners behave responsibly. This is not the first year that this has happened, so I would have hoped these lessons had been learnt.

How about putting the sand for groundsmen in the picnic area? This is contained and dog free, so would mean that kids could play in it safely. Surely a cripplingly bureaucratic "risk assessment" by Southwark should have picked this up?

[Earl Aelfheah]

Or if it's not intended to be played in, why not just cover it with some tarpaulin?

[MarleyLover]

How about some parents acting responsible and not allowing their children to play in sand that has clearly not been allocated to their play area? If parents want sand provided for their children to play in, why not request it, and have it safely put in the child playing area, whereby it is protected by high railings and a dog free area.

Simple sense really.

[tibby]

Well said Marley lover

[Take Note]

What Tibby said

[Earl Aelfheah]

That's fair enough, but I think people weren't really clear why it was there perhaps (whether it was intended to be 'play sand' or not). Either way, doesn't justify people letting their dogs do their business there (or anywhere else) and not then clearing it up.

[tjf]

Lawn sand, innit

[Louisianna2012]

I cant believe people would think they'd just dump sand there randomly for kids to play in?! BUT also, owners really shouldnt let their dogs foul in it.

Either way - sand is for pitch use.

[Elaine25]

I have watched the children enjoying the sand. And think it would be really nice to have a sandpit for children in the park in the summer months. When I was a child growing up here we had sand in the playground. a dog free zone!

[henryb]

Yes that would be a lovely addition to the park.

[JohnL]

When the Lido is rediscovered - I'm sure we can provide an urban beach alongside :)

[henryb]

Yeah in your face Brockwell... :o)