Poop-Filled Dog Park Will Close If Owners Won't Pick Up Pet Dung

TWIN CITIES, MN — Dog owners in Carver County, located in the southwest metro, could lose their dog park if they continue to avoid picking up pet poop. The Carver County Parks Department issued the threat over Facebook Wednesday.

"If you're (or someone you know) is a user of the off-leash dog area be sure to read the below. Clean-up can happen now, don't wait until the weekend" the department wrote.

"The recent lack of facility upkeep by patrons has led to unsightly & unsanitary conditions."

Officials said that "conditions must dramatically improve" by Monday at 7:30 a.m. for the off-leash area to remain open. "If sanitary conditions are not met, an indefinite closure of the facility is planned until sanitary conditions are achieved."

The county has scheduled cleanup events at the park for Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. County staff will provide buckets and shovels for volunteers to clean-up the poop-filled site, but helpers are asked to bring their own tools if possible.

A county ordinance requires that any person in a park with a pet must have something to clean up poop at all times.