Traffic hazards at Smith Fields is the issue

I figured it was only a matter of time before a “no dogs” sign would be posted at Smith Fields. What did surprise me was that the signs include a clause saying dogs are a threat to the children at Smith Fields. You may find my next comment surprising but needs to be said.

It’s not dogs that are a threat to children but some of the parents themselves. I cannot count the times I’ve seen small, unattended children running from one side of the road to get to either the concession stand, bathrooms or over to the playground area without anyone with them.

These little ones are completely alone and totally vulnerable. Some are so small, you just know it isn’t even in their mind yet to even think about cars. They’re thinking candy, potty or playground, period. Where are the parents? How can they possibly be OK with sending their little ones off to cross such a dangerously busy road?

Then the other factor — so many people, young and old, are driving through this area totally oblivious to all the little ones running back and forth. They’re just cutting through is all, and I’m at Smith Fields a lot.

I run the trails around there and also have the privilege of assistant coaching the high school girl’s soccer team. I’m certainly not the only one concerned. We were approached early on in the season at a girls practice by O’Brien Byrd, the boys soccer coach, to put the word out to our teams to slow down while coming in for practices.

Now, about the “threatening” dogs — 98 percent of the owners and dogs I’ve encountered out at Smith Fields over years of being out there have been amicable, responsible people and dogs, and 98 percent of the time, I have never encountered an aggressive, threatening dog at Smith Fields ever. Yet, almost daily, I feel a certain dread when I see all the cars, both parked and driving through, kids everywhere.

I have a specific example of a parent taking the road-parking lot area way too lax. As I was leaving practice on the Smith Field road last week, there was a little boy on the north side of the road, and I don’t think he was more than four, with a car stopped opposite of him, on the south side. I was in the middle. I stopped and asked if everything was all right and that I was concerned about the little boy being there with all the traffic, etc. I’m assuming it was his mom in the parked car.

“He wants to run home” she replied. I was stunned. Cars everywhere. He’s on one side, she on the other, and cars coming and going in between. All I could say was, “This sure isn’t the place to do that.” She glared and off they went, her moving in her car, that little boy running down the road on the other side. Dogs are a threat?

I hope that one day, and soon, we see speed bumps at Smith Fields. My hope is that it won’t take a near tragedy or an actual tragedy for that to happen. I also hope this may inspire more parents to get up and go with their little ones when they want to buy candy at the concession stand, use the bathroom or go play at the playground. It could happen so quickly. Dashing and darting, coming out from beside a parked car, they step right onto the road. It’s a congested, fast-moving area. Let’s take care of these little ones.

I sure would like to see the dog signs disappear, out of respect for all the dog owners over all these years who have been responsible and only want to toss a ball for their dog for a couple of minutes or so.  I’m pretty sure that won’t happen. I just am hoping to get parents to pay attention to the potential and real threat that’s there, and I sure don’t believe it’s a dog.

Paula Jones lives in Whitefish.