Private housing estate question

Scrappycoco

I have bought a house on a new housing estate Taylor Wimpey (yes I know, should have known better). The estate is only half finished and eventually will be managed by a management company in respect of keeping the grounds.

I am elderly, don't walk particularly well and only short distances. I have an elderly dog. She doesn't walk very far.

There are lots of green spaces on the estate for kids to play, walk etc. There is also a small playground. In this playground are the only seats. None outside around the green space.

There is a Taylor Wimpy notice stating dogs not allowed in the playground. How legal is this as I would like to go in for a rest so that I can sit down with my dog (on lead)? Can I ignore the signs and just take a rest.

 It is vary rarely used by the children anyway and the times I would go in it would be empty. When the management company take over, I won't get a discount for not using the playground. No discount for being a single person either.

If there were seats around the green space then I would use them obviously.

sammyjammy

Its quite common for dogs not to be allowed in playgrounds, is it fenced off in any way?  If not I don't see why you shouldn't sit down and take a rest with your dog as long as you pick up anything your dog leaves behind which I am sure you do.

FreeBear

How about approaching Taylor Wimpey and asking if they would install a couple of benches in some of the green spaces ?

If they have a site office, it wouldn't hurt to stick your head round the door and asking - The worst they can do is say "no". They might even say "hey, good idea, we'll get a few installed". On a day like today, I'm sure other residents would appreciate a seat in a shaded spot under a tree.

user1977

It's entirely legal. But I doubt the Wimpey police are going to come round and arrest you.

The_Unready

There may be a good reason why dogs aren't allowed in the playground (whether or not they're on a lead). Might be an insurance thing, perhaps. Presumably parents want their kids to be able to play in that area without having to worry about whether your dog will escape the lead and savage one of them!

Ok, perhaps not your dog, but who's going to tell Big Dave that he can't bring his (barely tame) rottweiler into the playground when he's seen you do exactly the same thing?

user1977

The_Unready said:

There may be a good reason why dogs aren't allowed in the playground (whether or not they're on a lead). Might be an insurance thing, perhaps.

More likely to be a poo thing.

comeandgo

One of the things I loved about our time in Australia was the fact dogs were not allowed in children play areas.  You could safely walk bare footed and not be standing on somewhere a dog had toileted.  

I would request seating, it’s possibly something that could be bought by the management company when it is in action and the cost spread among all the residents, as you say, you will have to pay towards things you don’t use so others can pay towards some seating.

Woolsery

user1977 said:

The_Unready said:

There may be a good reason why dogs aren't allowed in the playground (whether or not they're on a lead). Might be an insurance thing, perhaps.

More likely to be a poo thing.

Like a Cockerpoo perhaps?

I have first hand experience of an 80 year old being asked to leave a recreation area because she had an elderly, well behaved dog with her on a lead. I wasn't comfortable witnessing this, but on the other hand I don't want Big Dave with his Rottie and Staffie to have an excuse to be in there.

Section62

FreeBear said:

How about approaching Taylor Wimpey and asking if they would install a couple of benches in some of the green spaces ?

I think this makes sense.  Often it is a good idea to have a bench or two just outside a play area so there's somewhere for the adults to sit, or tie dogs to, or for bikes to be leaned on.

The_Unready

......Section62 said:

FreeBear said:

How about approaching Taylor Wimpey and asking if they would install a couple of benches in some of the green spaces ?

I think this makes sense.  Often it is a good idea to have a bench or two just outside a play area so there's somewhere for the adults to sit, or tie dogs to, or for bikes to be leaned on.

Or as a convenient meeting point for drug dealers 😃......

Scrappycoco

Thanks for the comments..though was looking for legal aspect and not reason why. 

Doubt big Dave would come with his Rottie  and Staffie anyway even if he had not seen little old me sat quietly. Big Dave would probably do what he wants anyway. I love Rotties and Staffies and all well behaved owners!!!

There is a play/football area adjacent and the bigger kids usually play there. More likely to tread in the unexpected as there are a few deposits left by uncaring dog owners and dogs run around unleashed with the kids.

We have an estate Facebook page and it was posted a few weeks ago by one resident that as it is summer and school holidays coming up expect kids to be playing in the street with their footballs and the accompanying noise.. and not to be moaning about it. 

Expect everyone to be tolerant. Yes, very narrow streets, kids running screaming, footballs hitting windows and cars and yet they have a lovely play area. I just want to sit down for five minutes and enjoy the rest, peace and quiet so that I can stay out longer.. And most residents are either retired or mature, kids left home.

Anyway, Will bring it up with the customer care to request outside seating.