Westhaven residents raise concern over excessive dog waste at Jenkins Park 

The Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will meet this Thursday to get an update on the ongoing master plan for the department.

In March, the group discussed issues that have sprung up at Jenkins Park, a smaller space recently constructed on city-owned land in the 10th and Page neighborhood. 

“The precipitating event was just a lot of dog waste in the park,” said Planning Commission Chair Hosea Mitchell. 

The website for Jenkins Park on the city’s website lists two amenities – benches and open space. Mitchell said the idea is for it to be a passive park for area residents to relax in, including those in Westhaven.

“The residents think that they are having a difficult time relaxing there because the poop makes it uncomfortable and to some degree unsafe for the kids,” Mitchell said.

According to materials presented in March, Jenkins Park is 0.4 acres. There are also two chess/checker boards, a trash can and a dog waste station. The park is also built at the nexus of several stormwater lines and there’s concern that bacteria in the dog waste will go straight into the watershed. 

Mitchell said the issue is prompting further discussion about revisiting the ordinance related to dogs in parks as well as planning for an additional dog park. 

At Jenkins Park, the city is planning on adding more to the park including two picnic tables and a structure to provide shade. They’ll also install additional trash cans as well as signage informing people about harm to the environment by leaving dog waste on the ground. 

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