The problem on one tree hill are the numbers of professional dog walkers, I've not encountered any problems with individual dog walkers. The gate that opens on to Honor Oak Rise is now being deliberately obstructed by the Professional dog walkers who use bricks, rocks wood, anything they can lay hands on. In December I came across an elderly woman who was unable to open the gate as a half brick had been placed under the gate to wedge it closed. I've asked the dog walkers not to do this on account of the elderly and disabled who use the park, sadly to no avail. "One Tree Hill a nature reserve"? Last spring I watched helplessly along with the parent birds as three dogs dispatched two fledgling blackbirds while the walker walked on trying to keep up with the other five dogs under her "care". How can you maintain a nature reserve when there is a preponderance of uncontrolled dogs roaming round?
I have contacted Southwark Council's Jon Sheaff who told me he's in touch with the Friends of One Tree Hill and is trying to arrange a meeting with locals to discuss ways of controlling the amount of dogs using the park. This would be a good opportunity for those concerned about the professional dog walkers to bring these concerns to the attention of the Council and hear what they propose to do about it.