Running at Wildwood Metropark

I have been a runner at Wildwood for at least seven years as well as a individual that supports the 5K race in June. I runn all year at the park and love being a part of nature. I have always been respectful to others that walk and run. Most of the trails are set up to allow for two to three people across. These last two years I have been greeted with many unfortunate situations that seem to fall on deaf ears.

The first issue took place yet again today. During my run I encountered many school ages kids out on the trails training both with adults and without. I have on numerous occasions had to jump off the trails to avoid being pushed off. This has resulted in many cuts and scraps from the brush as well as twisted ankles. So today after enounters many groups of kids running and dodging off the trail I came face to face with two younger women with a dog. They were running two across and three if you count their dog. The area where we met we couls see each other coming. Instead of stepping over the woman on my side raised her elbow and hit me on my upper arm. I was at the end of my run and had seen then there before and decided to report the incident. I went to the administrative office and informed the lady of the incident. She took me across the hall to the rangers office where the ranger took my information in addition to the details about the women. He said he would keep an eye out for them and her would address the issue. He walked me out to the court area and shared me me his feelings about the issues of the park and the lack of the respect for others on the trails. He again informed me that he would watch for them to exit the trails. I went to my car to leave and rehydrate. As I am pulling out I see these two women stretching at the fountain which was a clear indication that the ranger missed them coming out. I pulled into a parking spot and waitied a few so that the ranger would have time to address the issue. This did not happen so I walked back to the rangers office right by the two (who said something as I was walking by)and found the ranger typing on his computer. I informed him that the two were out by the fountain. It is now 12:00 noon and I have yet to get any followup. I sit here with a bruise on my upper arm and total disgust of the rangers. I have met many seniors at the park and call many of them my friends. I have talked with them about this issue in addition to others and they have expressed their anger with these situations as well.

The other issue is the dog problems at the park. I used to take my dog to the park with me but have been met with many other fellow dog lovers that think that it is ok to allow their dogs off leash or they have them on the extendo leashes and do not pull them back. My dog is always running at my side and when others dog are permitted to cross the trail and come at my dog it creates many situations that could result in harm to myself, their dog, or mine. My dog is a large dog and I respect others and their space. Is it too much to ask that people pull their dogs back? My dog is not there to socialize with other dogs nor does he get along with others.

The final issue is the pitbulls at the park. There are clear rules regarding dogs at the park and I do not wish to come face to face with this breed. If the owners of these type of breeds can not restrain their dogs then they do not belong at the park. This is not just a pitbull issue but a large breed issue. If you are unable to keep control leave the dog at home. I am not sure what the law is currently in Ohio but I wish the rangers would brush on these for that you get informed information from the rangers that you speak to.

I have absolutly reached my limit with these issues and wish that people would respect others and their rights in being at Wildwood Metropark!