Residents who use Ray Park in Woodford Green believe a fence should be reinstalled around the children's play area

Fence off Ray Park play area to keep dogs out and children in, say residents

by Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Thursday, July 19, 2012
9:59 AM

A fence should be reinstalled around the play area of a Woodford Green park to stop dogs causing a nuisance and children running off, say residents.

Ray Park, off Snakes Lane East, has an “open style” to its playground which means tree logs replaced fencing to promote an inviting site, according to Vision Redbridge, which runs the borough’s leisure services.

But residents recently surveyed park users because they believe it raises safety concerns.

The Redbridge Residents’ Network found 97 out of 100 people questioned felt the fencing should be reinstated.

Peter Clark, 47, of Meadgate Avenue, Woodford Green, who brings his seven-year-old son and five-year-old daughter to the park, said: “There are responsible dog owners but there are people with very big dogs in that area, some are bigger than the children.”

Dogs are not allowed in the play area under the borough’s control orders and owners can be fined £60 if their animal is not under control.

Susan Hayward, the secretary of the network who lives in Fyfield Road, said: “It’s easy to say keep an eye on your kids, but if you have two children, one can run off quite quickly.”

She met with Gary Thomas, Vision’s parks development manager, at the park in June and also raised the issue of car park congestion.

There is only one route in and out of the car park.

She said: “You can’t walk safely with your children because of the cars coming in and out.”

A council spokesman said officers are looking into the congestion at peak times.

She said the fencing was removed between 2009-2010 because dog owners were shutting animals in the area unsupervised.

Over 1,100 play area users were consulted over the design including pupils at Ray Lodge Primary School.