Thoughtless dog owners have forced the closure of a Skipton play park.

The Millennium Green playground, set up in memory of a Skipton teenager, was closed on Tuesday because of health and safety fears after groundsmen were splattered with dog mess.

Dave Parker, chief officer for Skipton Town Council, said the decision had not been taken lightly.

“The level of dog fouling has become so bad that it presents a hazard, both for the children who play there and for the council’s grounds maintenance staff who cut the grass,” he said.

“Mowing the open areas is bad enough, but strimming the longer grass presents particular problems. Our groundsmen have had dog dirt fly up into the air and down the back of their shirts. That’s not a pleasant experience and not one that we want to repeat.”

The playground, off Whinny Gill Road on the Greatwood Estate, will be closed indefinitely because the town council does not have the money to pay for specialist cleaning.

Coun Eric Jaquin, chairman of the council’s public services committee, said: “Dog fouling is the single biggest source of complaints the council receives and there is no doubt that the fouling of public areas, particularly areas where children play, is unsightly, unpleasant and unhealthy.

“Dog faeces can carry infections and, worse still, toxocariasis, a disease which may cause respiratory problems, epilepsy and blindness. In rare cases, it can even be fatal and children are particularly susceptible.”

Coun Jacquin said the council did not want to panic parents, but it wanted to make sure children were protected from potential harm.

“We want families to enjoy the town’s play spaces without having to worry about dog dirt,” he said. “To achieve this, we need everyone’s help. We can’t stop dogs producing poo, but if their owners pick it up and dispose of it safely it makes life so much more pleasant for everyone and it keeps our children safe from harm.”

Coun Jaquin said it was particularly distressing that it had happened to a memorial park – set up following the death of Skipton teenager Vicki Cartman.

“We are sending out a clear message to dog owners, to pick it up and to parents, to be watchful,” he said. “We would also ask everyone else, if they see someone allowing their dog to foul a public place, particularly a play area, to try to stop them or let the town council know so we can talk to them and try to persuade them to behave more responsibly.”