Answer Man dives into stagnant water at dog park

From the Citizen-Times, June 9  http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20130610/COLUMNISTS09/306100018/Answer-Man-dives-into-stagnant-water-dog-park

written by John Boyle

Question: Briefly, there is a stagnant pond of water that is breeding protozoa at the Azalea Road dog park. I have visited this park for eight months, and the water is always there. The dogs love to run through it and drink it. Many dogs have become sick as a result. Both of my dogs did. Other visitors to the park mentioned that their children and dogs have been ill. This is a great park otherwise, and many people from all over the county come with their dogs.
A month or so ago, I got 150 signatures on a petition, hoping to get some action. I took the petition, my dogs’ vet bills and also photos to document the problem. I spoke with the assistant director of parks at City Hall. She emailed me a week later saying she spoke with park maintenance and they intended on fixing this problem, but stated there was no scheduled time to do so.
The dogs leave there with the risk of serious health issues and mud that smells so bad that it is hard to put it into words! I constantly worry that mine will get sick again, but the benefits of exercise win each time.

My answer: I’m thinking they just need to install some commodes out there. My basset hound Molly routinely imbibes toilet water at our house, and she’s as healthy as a horse. Well, other than the breath thing.

Real answer: A temporary fence scheduled for installation this week magically went up Thursday, after I inquired about this situation.
But a permanent solution will take more time, according to Debbie Ivester, assistant director at the parks and recreation department.  "To completely eliminate the standing water along the fence line of the Azalea Park dog park requires significant engineering and reconstruction of the berm located near the dog park,” Ivester said via email. “The solution to prevent water accumulating inside the fenced area of the dog park is to relocate the parameter fence away from the standing water area so dogs and people are separated from the water. The short-term fix is to install a temporary fence which will occur the week of June 10. The permanent fix is to relocate the existing fence and do minor grading in this area to enhance the water drainage. This work will occur within the next two months.”