Asheville "nasty" "disgusting" "strong smell" "poo piles"

That's what dog owners who visit Asheville's dog parks are saying at bringfido.com, a dog enthusiast website about dog-friendly travel, and Yelp.com.  How likely is it that a new North Asheville Dog Park will be any better? 

An appropriately located, well-maintained dog park is a valued community asset.  But the proposed North Asheville Dog Park at 284 Beaverdam Rd on the Thoms estate is not in an appropriate location, especially since the City has a record of inadequate maintenance, as documented in the comments below.  Pending budget shortfalls do not bode well for improvements in maintenance.

The Trust for Public Land, concerning dog parks http://cloud.tpl.org/pubs/ccpe_Dog_Park_Report.pdf advises that dog parks should "avoid locations directly abutting residences" and "avoid sensitive environmental habitats." Dr. Ed Hauser, wetlands coordinator for the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society, says the Killian house is in an environmentally sensitive location that may be unsuitable for a dog park.  Perhaps letters from dog park users will highlight some reasons why.
   

Excerpts from visitor reviews of Asheville's two dog parks are below.  Some of the visitors are from out of town, but all reviews are about Asheville’s dog parks.  Some reviews were positive;  overall, Azalea Dog Park was rated by bringfido.com 3 bones out of 5 and French Broad River Dog Park, 2 bones.

About Azalea Dog Park:

“There were no poopy bags - I'm not sure if there were any there or not - if so, I didn't see them, so come prepared. There was a fair amount of dung already in the park - probably because of lack of poopy bags.”  ”Gnawing on the ankle and pre-existing poo piles occur at any/all dog parks, so I won't count those things against this park's rating.”  Stacey in Fayetteville, NC
   

“I went to this and the other park and was extremely disappointed with both the parks as well. Patchy grass, overcrowded, muddy, fecal matter left around, not well-kept in the least. If you love your dog, take him/her for a hike on a nice trail in Asheville instead.”  CA Dog Owner in Burbank

“it just seemed a little dirty with none to little ground cover.”  Rick in Garner, NC

“The last time we were there, the larger lot was closed b/c of giardia in the water stream.”  Mel in Asheville (Note from wikipedia “The Giardia parasite originates from contaminated items and surfaces that have been tainted by the feces of an infected animal.”)

“Asheville has put down bark mulch which rots and stinks. There is a nasty stream running through the middle of the dog runs, but otherwise there is no water.”  Annalee in Asheville

About French Broad River Dog Park:
  

“Just visited this dog park for the first time this morning. I was greeted with a strong smell of dog poo.”  Loree in Asheville

“This dog park is disgusting. Rotting bark mulch on the ground, mud, and stench of feces and urine. Not a good place to bring your dog if you want them to stay healthy.”  Annalee in Asheville

‘This dog park and the others in Asheville are nonsense. So much for moving to a so-called dog-friendly town. Filthy and overrun by people who can't control their dogs. These are not safe, physically and very unsanitary. I'd never take my dog here.”  Dog Owner in New to Asheville   

“Patchy grass, overcrowded, muddy, fecal matter left around, not well-kept in the least.”  Northern CA Dog Owner in Burbank
  

“The mud is the biggest annoyance.  You can tell that over the years crap has been mixed with it because it smells like a damn sewer.  Something should really be done about that.”  Nate B, Asheville, NC