Shelby Bottoms

Three frustrations with Shelby Bottoms

Let me first express that Shelby Bottoms is one of my favorite places to walk with my dog. When we first adopted Scouty, we knew that we would have to get professional training for all of us to feel comfortable and know that Scout would follow commands when we walked. We had a trainer come to our house and help us teach Scout her commands, how to heel and how to walk on a leash. Any professional trainer will tell you When your dog is in the heeling position it means that she is virtually pinned to your left leg (not touching it) and must stay there until released by the owner. After heeling it is natural to train the dog to walk on a leash. Because your dog is now in the heeling position on your left side, the dog should walk on your left side.

Okay, frustration number 1: Rules for Shelby Bottoms.

Two way Traffic

Speed Limit 1-5

Stay to the Right (no more than two across)

Signal When Passing (say "on your left")

Dogs on 6 ft. Leash

These rules have made my well trained dog a bit confused. Walking her has been frustrating because she is trying to do what she was trained to do and that is walk on our left. I then have to drag her to the right over and over and everyone is exhausted. I will admit, most parks have this rule and I appreciate that they are accommodating dogs, however they should understand how dogs are trained. Since I have learned that dogs should correctly walk on their owners left this leaves the dog that is professionally trained not following their training or their master.

Frustration number 2: Bikers Attitude's. Lately it seems the bikers have the attitude that they own Shelby Bottoms. The rules state that bikers are supposed to make the comment; "Biker on your left" so you can be prepared when they speed by you. I don't know how many times I, my partner or my dog have almost been run over by a biker who would not slow down when passing or let us know that they were passing. Shelby park has been very busy lately with so many more people and the bikers need to let us know they're coming and slow down.

Frustration number 3: One way street mix-up. There is "supposedly" a one way street that runs along the pond as you enter the park from Shelby Ave. I was stopped one day by a park ranger that explained I was going the wrong way. He said there was a sign posted. Now if you frequent the park, check out the sign. We suggested to the ranger that he check out the sign because it is not facing the correct way. To this day it is still facing the wrong way and I still see people go down it the "wrong way". It is a simple fix but it has been that way for years.

I want to keep my Friends of Shelby Park bumper sticker on my car and continue to enjoy Shelby Bottoms. But these few frustrations are not allowing me to make the best of this park. I believe it is becoming very dangerous with more people, children, strollers, dogs, bikes, roller blades and Hula-Hooper's using it. Scout has been willing to bend on walking on the right when she was not trained that way. Simple courtesy from everyone and Shelby Bottoms can be safe for everyone.