I visited this park over the summer twice. The first time I came with my family and our dogs; we were looking for somewhere for our dogs to swim. Tons of people tubing and setting up unofficial "camp," blasting music and throwing litter. The 2nd time I wanted to try the trails, and let my dog swim in the first spot by the river we encountered. He cut his paw on something either on the bank or in the river so deeply that the fat was exposed and I had to take him to an ER to have them stitch his paw up. Apparently he picked up not only MRSA but a pseudonomas type of bacteria as well in the water/on the bank when he cut his paw, and it took him over 6 weeks to recover. He was on bedrest and we missed the whole summer, and it costed me over $1,500 in vet bills.
I know things happen and you can't avoid accidents happening but, I've been taking my dog hiking and swimming since he was 4 months old and he's almost 5 years old. We've never had anything close to this happen, and I think it's because I take him to parks that must not be so heavily used by "the public"--who, of course, leave litter and other dangerous trash whenever in higher numbers. I think because this park is SO accessible--right in town and even the hiking trails are these huge wide mowed strips of grass in between sparse woods and the river--to the public, there is just more junk that your dog or child could hurt themselves on. I would NOT recommend ever letting your dog or barefoot child (or even with water shoes) walk around in or near the water here. Not only could they injur themselves but MRSA and pseudonomas bacteria are in the environment. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IMMUNE COMPROMISED--DO NOT GO HERE. read more