SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

As the weather didn't justify going too far today, we took our dog for a walk in Wharfe Meadows Park at Otley, somewhere I've not visited in years until recently.If you walk right through the park past the tennis courts, there is a stone bridge over the river that looks quite substantial. Where does this go? Not knowing the area we didn't cross, but retraced our steps, but looking on Google it looks like it might come our behind the Otley RUFC ground, possibly allowing access to Riverdale Road? If so it might make a good circular walk from the car park on Cattle Market Street.The park is certainly a popular spot with other dog walkers and I'd imagine it's a busy place in the summer months.That said, the council could make an absolute fortune if they sent the dog wardens up there for a few hours. The amount of dog mess left lying about by inconsiderate dog owners was frankly disgusting - it's little wonder that there is a campaign running in Otley to get people to clear up after their dogs!As a responsible dog owner I find it totally incomprehensible that people are still not clearing up. There are plenty of bins in the park and "poop bags" are under a quid for a big pack, so why do they do it? One chap made a big deal about clearing up after his retreiver in a busy part of the park, then a couple of hundred yards further along simply walked off and called his dog to hurry up. Those responsible should be brought to book.Mind you, it's not just a problem there - Golden Acre Park is going along the same lines. The council could slash our council tax with the money it could rake in from enforcement of the no fouling rules if it could be bothered.

raveydavey wrote: As the weather didn't justify going too far today, we took our dog for a walk in Wharfe Meadows Park at Otley, somewhere I've not visited in years until recently.If you walk right through the park past the tennis courts, there is a stone bridge over the river that looks quite substantial. Where does this go? Not knowing the area we didn't cross, but retraced our steps, but looking on Google it looks like it might come our behind the Otley RUFC ground, possibly allowing access to Riverdale Road? If so it might make a good circular walk from the car park on Cattle Market Street.The park is certainly a popular spot with other dog walkers and I'd imagine it's a busy place in the summer months.That said, the council could make an absolute fortune if they sent the dog wardens up there for a few hours. The amount of dog mess left lying about by inconsiderate dog owners was frankly disgusting - it's little wonder that there is a campaign running in Otley to get people to clear up after their dogs!As a responsible dog owner I find it totally incomprehensible that people are still not clearing up. There are plenty of bins in the park and "poop bags" are under a quid for a big pack, so why do they do it? One chap made a big deal about clearing up after his retreiver in a busy part of the park, then a couple of hundred yards further along simply walked off and called his dog to hurry up. Those responsible should be brought to book.Mind you, it's not just a problem there - Golden Acre Park is going along the same lines. The council could slash our council tax with the money it could rake in from enforcement of the no fouling rules if it could be bothered. Hi raveydaveyIf its the bridge i think it is it comes out on the Otley Poole road just above the garden centre i think the lane that leads up to the road is called Gallows Lane or something like that Si will tell me if im wrong.    

Hi everyone,The bridge is known locally as the 'White Bridge' (because it was originally painted white). It is a concrete footbridge which crosses the river. In actual fact there is a very large metal pipe (probably a sewage pipe?) about 2 - 3 feet in diameter, which crosses the river and the bridge sits on top of the pipe and, to a degree, disguises it.On the north bank the bridge leads to a footpath which leads, west, through the park and towards the main Otley road bridge. Going east, the footpath goes alongside the river towards the River Washburn and Pool in Wharfedale.On the south side, the large pipe crosses the land, in an elevated position and parts of it are fenced off. It probably leads to the old Otley Sewage Works (there is a newer Sewage Works further along Pool Road near to Knotford Nook).The footbridge, on the south side, leads to a footpath along the river. Westerly, it goes towards Otley but leaves the river bank due to the location of Garnett (paper) Mills. Easterly, the footpath goes along side the river to just past Knotford Nook and Knotford Lagoons, as far a weir and where the river comes right alongside the road. It ends at the start of some private land.From the footbridge, a footpath follows the line of the elevated pipe, away from the river, but branches up towards Gallows Hill. At Gallows Hill there is a small Nature Reserve, a Play Area and some allotments. Gallows Hill extends southwards and comes out into Pool Road just to the east of the main Otley Cemetery.On the other side of the main road, a bit further away, is Stephen Smith's Garden Centre/Cafe, etc.There is another footpath, from the footbridge, that passes behind the rugby club, and is separated from the path by a very steep bank.Ian.        

iansmithofotley wrote: Hi everyone,The bridge is known locally as the 'White Bridge' (because it was originally painted white). It is a concrete footbridge which crosses the river. In actual fact there is a very large metal pipe (probably a sewage pipe?) about 2 - 3 feet in diameter, which crosses the river and the bridge sits on top of the pipe and, to a degree, disguises it.On the north bank the bridge leads to a footpath which leads, west, through the park and towards the main Otley road bridge. Going east, the footpath goes alongside the river towards the River Washburn and Pool in Wharfedale.On the south side, the large pipe crosses the land, in an elevated position and parts of it are fenced off. It probably leads to the old Otley Sewage Works (there is a newer Sewage Works further along Pool Road near to Knotford Nook).The footbridge, on the south side, leads to a footpath along the river. Westerly, it goes towards Otley but leaves the river bank due to the location of Garnett (paper) Mills. Easterly, the footpath goes along side the river to just past Knotford Nook and Knotford Lagoons, as far a weir and where the river comes right alongside the road. It ends at the start of some private land.From the footbridge, a footpath follows the line of the elevated pipe, away from the river, but branches up towards Gallows Hill. At Gallows Hill there is a small Nature Reserve, a Play Area and some allotments. Gallows Hill extends southwards and comes out into Pool Road just to the east of the main Otley Cemetery.On the other side of the main road, a bit further away, is Stephen Smith's Garden Centre/Cafe, etc.There is another footpath, from the footbridge, that passes behind the rugby club, and is separated from the path by a very steep bank.Ian.         What he said.