Charlie Johnson writes to the Messenger:
I am emailing in the hope that Ellesmere Park (the bit of grass and concrete at the top of Maxwell Street and Ellesmere Road) can be mentioned in the next issue?
I walk my dog over there and am appalled at having to step over piles of dog poo in order to pick up after my dog. Part of being a dog owner is being responsible for your dog's waste and people seem to think it is a dog toilet up there.
I cannot let my children play on that grass as they'd get covered in dog poo. If I want to take my children to the park I catch a bus out of the area to a park that is cleaner and where people tend to pick up after their dogs.
It would be nice if the council were to put a play area on the concrete up there but I can't see why we should expect any work to be done for our children on that space while some of the residents disrespect it (and their neighbours) so much.
Yours Sincerely, Charlie Johnson
Complaints to the Council
Graham Jones looked into the issue for the Burngreave Messenger:
In early May the Burngreave Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) complained to the council about the state of Ellesmere Park. There had been a lot of complaints from local people about the rubbish, broken glass and especially dog mess in the park which had deterred local people from using the area.
The council responded quickly and have cleared away the rubbish. In future they will carry out twice weekly checks to ensure the area is free of rubbish. They also have plans to install some signs. Special attention has been paid to clearing the games area.
As regards the dog mess, local dog owners have a responsibility to keep the area clean from dog mess and so to help maintain a healthy safe environment for young people to play in and for all to enjoy. The Council hopes to install a dog waste bin in the near future.
The TARA and Council have both worked hard to brighten up this pleasant green space. There seems to be a vast improvement since the rubbish was cleared and this local park really looks quite pretty now, especially with all the trees in leaf.
Let's all work together to ensure it remains so attractive and inviting.
The park is one of Burngreave TARA priorities, if you want to find out more about TARA you can email burngreavetara@gmail.com