VOLUNTEERS are calling on dog walkers who visit a Halesowen park to clean up after their four-legged friends after a rise in recent excrement sightings.

Carol Hackett, chairman of the friends group at Hurst Green Park – which had been nicknamed ‘Dog Poo Park’ – is urging people to pick up the droppings and waste left by their pets.

The current situation is even more frustrating for the friends group after they went to great lengths, with the help of Dudley Council, to install additional bins.

Carol said: “Many years ago there was a very good reason people stopped using Hurst Green Park and that was because it had been renamed ‘Dog Poo Park’.

“Children were kept away for fear of catching something nasty or, if they fell over, the fear of the pong and the embarrassment of walking home covered in the mess that others selfishly left behind without a care in the world.

“Over the past 12 months, with the help of The Friends of Hurst Green Park group, the reputation of the park had been steadily returning, due to the 11 donated bins for both dog waste and general waste, but also the cutting down of litter around the park.

“The community was reacting in a positive manner and welcomed the pleasure of not having to carry poo bags very far once having picked up after their beloved pet.

“Unfortunately since December – when the snow covered the green playing fields and during the bad weather since – the park is returning to being ‘Dog Poo Park’ once again, despite the bins.

“There are persistent and selfish people who pull up in their cars at the entrance just inside Moat Drive on the right hand side of the road, loose their dogs out, let them go to the toilet, and who do not follow to go and pick up the mess and use the bin.

“I’m ashamed to see people have to walk through it before realising – too far in – what a state this piece of land is becoming.

“Whilst the group have been doing regular litter picks in this area, it is becoming more apparent how serious this problem is.”

Carol added: “For dog owners out there using the Hurst Green Park, please help us get rid of the nickname and clean up our park area.

“Make it pleasure for all to visit and not just a talking point.”