I've been taking my dog to Shirlington Dog Park for years because it's close to home, the biggest dog park around that I know of, and she loves to swim. Recently, there was a report of a raw sewage spill into Four Mile Run Creek, and when I went today, I didn't see any of the other dogs in the water. Does anyone know if the creek has been cleaned up? Also, does anyone know of a place in the area that might have safer water for her to swim in?
arlvarunner said:
I've been taking my dog to Shirlington Dog Park for years because it's close to home, the biggest dog park around that I know of, and she loves to swim. Recently, there was a report of a raw sewage spill into Four Mile Run Creek, and when I went today, I didn't see any of the other dogs in the water. Does anyone know if the creek has been cleaned up? Also, does anyone know of a place in the area that might have safer water for her to swim in?
Hehe. Cleaned up?
The cleanup involves waiting for it to disperse. The recent rains have probably done the job quite well.
There is always a risk of high levels of bacteria in 4MR on any given day though.
dynaroo said:
arlvarunner said:
I've been taking my dog to Shirlington Dog Park for years because it's close to home, the biggest dog park around that I know of, and she loves to swim. Recently, there was a report of a raw sewage spill into Four Mile Run Creek, and when I went today, I didn't see any of the other dogs in the water. Does anyone know if the creek has been cleaned up? Also, does anyone know of a place in the area that might have safer water for her to swim in?
Hehe. Cleaned up?
The cleanup involves waiting for it to disperse. The recent rains have probably done the job quite well.
There is always a risk of high levels of bacteria in 4MR on any given day though.
I know…and I usually see a lot of dogs in the water anyway, which is why I've never thought much of it in the past, but I've been thinking better of it lately. Her swims have been confined to the fountains at the water park on Crystal Drive since it got warmer, but I know she'd love to go for an actual swim. I just don't know where else to take her short of a long drive down Chesapeake Bay.
Roosevelt island. Upon crossing the foot bridge, take the path to the left. Follow this for a while until it makes a pronounced right turn. At this point, there is an opening to the water were the pooch can swim. You can also proceed straight ahead at this point (don't take the main trail to the right) and follow the winding path all the way to the water. It used to be referred to as doggy beach.
John Fontain said:
Roosevelt island. Upon crossing the foot bridge, take the path to the left. Follow this for a while until it makes a pronounced right turn. At this point, there is an opening to the water were the pooch can swim. You can also proceed straight ahead at this point (don't take the main trail to the right) and follow the winding path all the way to the water. It used to be referred to as doggy beach.
Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I'll take her over there tomorrow.
I'd say no to Roosevelt island unless you plan on swimming with your dog – dogs off leash not allowed:
http://www.nps.gov/this/faqs.htm
I'm not suggesting to let your dog run off leash all over the entire island. But if you take it to a corner of the island with no foot traffic and then let it swim, it won't be a problem.
We're talking about the opening towards the Georgetown side of the island (northeast corner) near the grove of Paw Paws (not that there aren't Paw Paws all over the island)? If that's correct, that area does get foot traffic. I jog on the island every so often and I always encounter hikers there or along the trail that leads there.
As someone who has been chased by unleashed dogs (more than I can count) and attacked by a few (3?) while hiking, running, and biking, I'm very sensitive to off-leash dogs. So even if you have a very well trained dog that won't approach other people without being called, there's enough jerks out there that don't think it's an issue to allow their dogs to chase people (it's always “never happened before”) that I don't trust any dog or owner with an off-leash dog unless I know them personally.
So… I don't really recommend having dogs off-leash in areas where there isn't an expectation for that.
71°
Mostly Cloudy
