Neighbors fed up after driver plows through dog park fence in east Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — A driver crashed into a fence at an east Charlotte dog park and now, neighbors are taking their safety into their own hands.

Shyam Patel uses the dog park, which is along Shamrock Drive, nearly every day. But right now, it’s lined with yellow caution tape and there are tire marks still in the ground. He and many of his neighbors argue the area is unsafe because of reckless driving.

“The problem is not the park,” Patel said.

The latest incident happened on Dec. 11, when residents said a driver came crashing through the fence.

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The Plaza Shamrock Neighborhood Association has begged the city for crosswalks, stop signs -- really anything that can get people to slow down there.

“We know this is a cut-through street, but this is a residential street,” said Ryan Carter, the president of the association.

Neighbors have even spent their own money on preventative measures like reflective tape. But after the latest crash, they said it’s clearly not working. Some neighbors are so fed up, they’ve written “no cars” on the rule board near the entrance of the park.

Liz Monterrey took a different approach, starting an online petition to get the attention of city officials to implement safety measures. It already has more than 600 signatures.

“How would you feel like, somebody treating your neighborhood like a NASCAR racetrack?” she asked.

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Since then, the Charlotte Department of Transportation said it will make the curve of the road more clear. The city is also planning to redo the area with a $10 million project, but construction isn’t slated to begin until 2024.

Carter said he can’t wait.

“We need the city to take action now,” Carter said.

The dog park is in those long term plans so it’s only temporary, but Carter is worried the problem will persist even after the park is gone.

“It is a real community asset, but regardless if you have a dog park here, or a brick wall, or the Statue of Liberty -- does not change the fact that people drive recklessly through this corridor and though this neighborhood,” Carter said.

In a statement, the Charlotte Department of Transportation told Channel 9 it also plans to lower the speed limit to 30 miles per hour and install curve warning signs. It said it is assessing the situation and reviewing the project timeline.

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