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Dog friendly areas proposals, processincluding for Harold Washington ParkThis page is brought to you by Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, its Parks Committee and its website, www.hydepark.org. Contact us. Contact the Parks chair as above attn: Gary Ossewaarde. Contact Harold Washington isherr@communitycounsel.com.Help support HPKCC's work by joining the Conference. |
Parks home. Park Issues. Harold Washington Park. Jackson Park-Dogs and Wooded Island, natural areas and Nichols Park home-certified dog and owner movement describe other approaches and issues related to dogs and dog opportunities in local parks. Local pet needs, services and websites are in Helpline. Chicago Park District liaison/planner for dog friendly areas: Robert Foster.
Hyde Park Dog Run group website- has a lot on it!. D.A.W.G (Site ) citywide dog friendly area group website (look for Dog Advisory Work Group there).
- Meetings, classes etc.
- New Hyde Park Bark Alliance
- Changing the rules (and costs) of dog-friendly areas, and some recent events; new opportunity at the Neighborhood Club
- What is this about, what is HydeBark D.O.G.?
- Latest direction, away from a specific dfa
- Letter to the Herald from the Dog Run group and position of HW chair Irene Sherr
- HydeBark D.O.G. (Dog Owners and Guardians) brochure, contacts, Surveys (to printable)
- Letter to the Herald in April, coverage of the April Advisory Council meeting
- More coverage
- Park District process for getting a dog friendly area
- Being a responsible pet owner
At the HPKCC public discussion on What's Right/What's Wrong with HPK, October 2005, one specific request was made for a dog park. Hyde Park Bark Alliance, a new group, has become active and seeks a dog park in Harold Washington Park. In October 2009, they met with aldermen in a public meeting and held a petition-gathering Halloween pet parade. They had little support from aldermen and in general for community watchdog groups and organizations. We will see what develops. Looking for contact information.
Changing rules for dog friendly areas
Effective September 15, 2005, all dog friendly areas in Cook County come under full regulation, permitting, and strictly enforced rules of the Cook County Department of Animal Care and Rabies. Not only is the County charging the government body for permits and certification but the users/user groups as well. The Chicago Park District will charge users $35, partly because if dogs are found in violation in the dfa, the user and the Park District will be fined $500 for each violation.
At a special June 6 Harold Washington Park meeting, the Dog Run group presented ideas and 3 Hyde Park locales for a DFA, and rolled out its residents surveys (see in this page).
June 11 Chicago Police and the Anti-Cruelty Society held a a pet-walk and party at and around Promontory Point to educate about the link between pet and domestic abuse. 10 am-noon. Those organizing this say they know first hand that there is much domestic and pet abuse in Hyde Park. Ruth Singleton 312 747-2930. This is the first of several events Hyde Park D.O.G. plans to hold, and they have a community survey for those who wish to weigh in. Hyde Park Neighborhood Club has a professionally supervised dogs-off-leash in the gym Sundays 1-3 pm.
What is this about, who are HydeBark DOG?
In April and May 2005 a group called originally called the Hyde Park Dog Run and now HydeBark D.O.G (Dog Owners and Guardians) outlined its hopes for a dog park in Harold Washington Park and hear from Park District staff the requirements for such. This will be one of the topics at an expanded meeting, on the Park, of the Advisory Council with Alderman Toni Preckwinkle (4th). The group was advised in the meantime to look for two or more available (without other plans and relatively underutilized) sites that can be fenced in, having space, water, distance from heavily used park facilities or nearby residential et al buildings and ability to be fenced in and hard-surfaced (which in turn can have pea-gravel or some softener better for dog paws). The group was also advised that they be prepared to bring to the project a large contingent of volunteers and fundraisers committed for the long haul and prepared to build very broad and deep community and stakeholder consensus. We were shown the impressive documentation presented by Skinner Park neighbors for their dog park. The time frame was said to be long. PD officials closed the door on "off leash" hours except in a fenced in and managed area. Some of the dog watchers say that they are targeted by police above criminals. Note that a good estimate for community match is $50-80,000.
Editor's note: The group's
first priority was in Harold Washington Park, sort of near the Drive and south
of 50th Street extended, and likely to gain at least acquiescence, maybe enthusiastic
support, of the advisory council, but maybe opposition from nearby high rises.
The other two sites, in this editor's rudimentary investigation, will meet with
resistance or be deemed unsuitable, especially that near 56th and Stony, or
especially in the case of that north of the Point, require approval of the Chicago
Plan Commission.
The 3 sites are each c. 30,000 square feet, to meet the expectations of the
Park District and provide both buffer and ample room for dogs to run and play.
Co-chair Cathy Niden was quoted in the Herald as saying that "All of these
spots are the stepchildren of larger parks." Top
After careful thought and research, the majority of the group has backed off from seeking a Dog Friendly Area in a lakefront park in the near future. They will pursue other ways to bring dog owners and dogs together for positive and responsible experiences.
According to the August 17 Herald, co-chair Laura Santos told the Harold Washington Council th the grou is "stepping back" after viewing actual parks on the north side.The group is now looking at education, including how to approach dogs and making local parks more dog-friendly. Among ideas being considered is seeking a change in the law to allow certification of dogs and their owners to have dogs off leash under certain conditions in parks.
HydeBark D.O.G (Dog Owners and Guardians), "bringing together the community, dogs and their guardians for responsible care and recreational play."
Address: HydeBark D.O.G
c/o HOST Meetings & Events Management
5437 S. Hyde Park Blvd Blvd. # 1S
Chicago, IL 60615
773 955-7511, http://www.hydeparkdogrun.org Contact this site if you need telephones and addresses.
Steering Committee:
Co-Chairs Cathy Niden, Laura Santos
Secretary Jay Hamilton
Other members
Task Forces :
Publicity Liz Cortell, Laretta Earls, Joyce Norman
Website Mark Sinclair
Fundraising Catherine Pickar
CAPS Liaison Cathy Nidar
Usage Survey Laura Santos
Map with What is a Dog Friendly Area, Who are we, Suggested areas.
What is a DOG FRIENDLY AREA?
A designated space specifically designed for use by dogs and their owners for off leash recreation, socialization, exercise, and training.
Who are we?
We are a group of dog owners looking for input and support for the establishment of a Dog Friendly Area (DFA) in Hyde Park. We want to know if others are interested in pursuing this idea. Your input will help us measure the level of interest in our community. Please fill out this survey and mail or fax it to us at 773 955-7511.
Suggested Areas
The Chicago Park District requires that we show a desire and need for a particular area. We need to demonstrate commitment and support from the community (including local businesses and people without dogs). Three (3) areas are being suggested: near 50th and the Drive, northeast of the Point on the east side of the Drive, and near Stony and 57th Drive in Jackson Park.
Community Input Survey
Printable page 1. Printable page 2.
Dog Friendly Area Usage Survey
May 4, 2005. By Wally Jonas
For the frustrated Hyde Park dog walkers, relief may be on the way. An organization is forming to explore ways to legally give the dogs exercise off leash in Hyde Park. One possible site is in a redesigned Harold Washington Park.
The group, called Hyde Park Dog Run, has opened a web site at hydeparkdogrun.org. A forum and message board offer dates for meetings and optional ideas such as an enclosed dog run or possible "off leash permitted" hours.
Dog watchers run afoul of the law by allowing their dogs off leash in order to exercise and socialize. Large dogs especially need exercise to stay healthy and are let off leash to chase tennis balls, Frisbees and sticks. Dog owners run the risk of a large fine if they attempt to exercise their dog off leash.
Position of the Council chair Irene Sherr, April 25, 2005:
In response to the interest at the [April] meeting we have requested representatives from the Chicago Park District attend and discuss policies and procedures related to the establishment of “Dog Friendly Areas” [at the May meeting].
It is conceivable that a Dog Friendly Area could be included in Harold Washington Park. It is not however, the function of the Advisory Council to ensure its creation or operation. There must be an organized group dedicated to this purpose willing to take on this initiative. There is an organization that among other things is an excellent resource on this issue. The group is called DAWG – The Dog Advisory Work Group – www.dawgsite.org, and I encourage all of you interested in this particular issue to visit their website.
Irene J. Sherr, Community Counsel, 5100 S. Hyde Park Blvd. Chicago, IL 60615 773-324-8614
Letter to the Herald in April by Joyce Norman and Jules Quinlan, Herald coverage of the April Advisory Council meeting.
Letter to the Herald April 13, 2005: Even dogs wanna play
by Joyce M. Norman and Jules Quinlan
Thanks to the Herald's article about the master plan for Harold Washington and Burnham Parks. Over half of the 30 people attending the April 4 meeting of the Harold Washington Advisory Council committee were dog owners. They asked that an enclosed dog play area be part of the plan, which proposes improvement and renovation to the park area west of Lake Shore Drive from 50th to 55th Streets.
The attractive drawing of the master plan, compliment of Skidmore, Owens and Merrill, who is donating input, raise both positive and negative issues. Positively, there is the prospect of a more beautiful and useful park area. Negatively, as more people are drawn to the park, noise, parking and cleaning become bigger problems.
The meeting was dominated by the dog owners who strongly feel that a more useful park must include and enclosed dog play area. Dog owners are not only among the biggest users of the parks but also "contribute" the most money to the city, given the mandatory ticketing for dog leash violations. Other city violations in the parks are often overlooked or simply result in warnings. Even the potentially dangerous violations of cars being driven and parked in the parks at night do not warrant the issuance of tickets. For dog owners it's a different story.
The other issue raised at the meeting was the stringent process required for getting a dog park. To date there are zero dog parks in Hyde Park despite efforts by dog owners going back five years. Other park users, like tennis players and the model yacht enthusiasts have not had to face such obstacles, nor have they been asked to contribute half of the cost of development and construction of their facilities.*
The chairman of the Harold Washington Advisory Committee, Irene Sherr, was most accommodating about listening to the dog owners and inviting them to regularly participate in meetings. She was also very forthcoming about putting everything in perspective. As yet, there is no private, nor community, nor city money to realize the master plan, and the park district has not yet committed itself to the plan.
The park district has been working in Harold Washington Park in recent weeks, putting up the tennis court nets early, pruning every bush in the park, adding mulch and cutting up tree stumps and renovating the bathrooms. Further, there was a hint that the park district may be considering the needed resurfacing of the tennis courts which are used for practice and meets for both Kenwood and King High Schools. There was also talk of stopping the leaks in the model yacht basin before refilling it.
The way for much more to happen, including even the realization of the master plan with the addition of t he dog play area, is for more people around the park and in the community to attend the meetings of the Harold Washington Advisory Committee.
[*Ed. note: several projects in area parks have been done with about half or significantly more community or other private contribution including Kenwood Park playground and gateway, the Fountain of Time sculpture and basin and Allison Davis Garden in Washington Park, major facilities including the Skating Rink in Midway Plaisance and the track in Jackson Park. Tennis groups will have to contribute in Harold Washington if the courts are to be rebuilt as opposed to resurfaced. I know of no effort to put in new facilities for model yacht enthusiasts, although there is talk of sealing cracks, prudent if water is to be put in the basin. Gary Ossewaarde]
Herald coverage, April 20, 2005
Dog owners crowded the April 4 Harold Washington Park Advisory Council meeting to lobby for a dog run to be included in a recently unveiled master plan. To get approval for an enclosed dog area, the park district is looking for a long-term commitment from dog owners to help with maintenance and to raise dollars to help get it built, said Arnold Randall, the park district's planning director.
"These can be controversial," Randall said. "[The approval process] is extensive and it's designed to be that way."
Dog owners who live near Grant Park spent years lobbying and raising money for a dog run before winning approval. The 13,000-square-foot dog run, nicknamed Grant Bark Park, will cost $150,000 and is set to be built this spring. Owners of dogs caught without leashes in Chicago parks can face fines of $500 or more.
Hyde Park Herald, May 11, 2005. By Mike Stevens. Local dog walkers long for leashless laws
Tired of leashes and hefty fines when they forgo them, an organized group of dog owners began (or at least took a look at) the lengthy process last week of winning city approval to build a fenced-in dog area in Hyde Park. Almost two-dozen dog lovers looking to let their pooches run free filled the May 2 Harold Washington Park Advisory Council meeting to quiz park officials on the requirements and procedures for creating a dog run in or near the park, 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd.
The first requirements: patience and perseverance. A Hyde Park dog run could take at least a year and a half from the first organized efforts to ground-breaking, Chicago Park District Manager Bob Foster estimated.
the thirty-plus members o the yet-to-be-named group must survey possible locations for the dog run, raise half of the possible $150,000 cost for construction and organize months of meeting to gauge community support and solicit design guidance.
"I'm glad there are so many people interested," advisory council President Irene sherr said. "To make it a reality, it definitely takes a lot of work."
Jules Quinlan, who has been ticketed twice for letting his two dogs Bear and Koro scamper about leashless, chaffed at the labor-intensive approval process. "Tennis players don't have to go through all this and [dog owners] are big users," Quinlan said.
The laborious process is meant to ensure there is demand for a dog run and that residents will share maintenance responsibilities--such as washing down and bleaching the hard-surface area required at city dog runs-with the park district, Foster said.
Laura Santos said group members, many still smarting from tickets that reach $500, have already begun work launching a website (hydeparkdogdrun.org) and establishing fund-raising and steering committees. "We have our fair share of tickets. It is just very frustrating to not have a place to run our dogs," Santos said. At 70 pound, Santos' hard-galloping German Shepherd /Labrador mix Bruno needs more exercise than the Hyde Park homemaker said she can manage while keeping him tethered to the city-mandated six feet of leash. "Big dogs need a little running off-leash," Santo said. : There is only so much bike-riding I can do."
In Chicago, that can only happen legally in designated dog runs or at certain beaches at specific times. Most of Chicago's existing dog runs, save the recently approved Grant Park Bark Park, serve North Siders.
Christina Miler, who lives near the park, attended last week's meeting despite her dog's recent death in anticipation of eventually buying a new do. "[Dog runs] wouldn't exist if there wasn't a need for them," Miller said. " Why can't we have one on the South Side?"
Foster expects a new dog run at Harold Washington Park or just south of 53rd Street in Burnham Park would draw dog owners from throughout the south Side and perhaps the suburbs because of its proximity to the lake. Many of those people will likely drive[,] immediately r[a]ising concerns among some at last week's meeting about worsening east Hyde Park's existing parking crunch.
Initial statement. Chicago City Ordinance requires dogs to be on leashes in public areas for the protection of fellow residents, as well as the dogs themselves. To offer the numerous dogs in the city some room to move, Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago Park District have supported the creation of several Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs) to provide safe places for dogs to exercise, play and socialize legally "off leash."
Creating DFAs in Chicago is a grass-roots operation. If a group of dog owners decide a DFA is needed in their community, they should organize themselves as an official group with at least five members. Once established, this group should form relationships with the local park advisory council, the local neighborhood association, C.A.P.S Representative, and Ward Alderman. Attendance of these organization's meetings is important as the concept of a DFA should be discussed. For more information call 312 742-PLAY.
Step One: Defining a space for a dog friendly area
There are certain factors in identifying and defining a site for a proposed DFA. Look for areas that include the following:
In identifying a site for a DFA, there are also certain criteria that should be considered:
Once a preferred site is identified by the dog owner group, confirm that the Chicago Park District owns the property.
Step Two, conducting surveys
After an appropriate site is selected for a proposed DFA, three types of surveys should be conducted within a one-year period.
Petition: A petition of support should be distributed to th surrounding area of the proposed site (it is suggested to petition at least five blocks in each direction.) It is important to include the signatures of both dog owners and non-dog owners.
Usage Surveys: Usage surveys of the proposed area should be conducted for a period of eight months to one year. These surveys determine the existing use of the proposed DFA site, identifies who currently uses the site, what types of activities they are participating in, which days and hours the park is heavily used, weather conditions, other amenities around the site such as a playlot or athletic field, and if the observed is a dog owner or not.
Site Survey: Once the above two types of survey types have been conducted, a site survey of the proposed DFA should be drafted. The survey identifies the dog owner group's desired specifications of the proposed DFA such a an isolation area, retaining wall or landscaping details.
Step Three: Community Support
Community support and consent is vital in obtaining Park District approval for a DFA. The dog owners group should be taken under the umbrella of the closest neighborhood association in order to assist in financial, maintenance and safety concerns.
Over a period of eight months to a year, a minimum of three public neighborhood meetings need to be conducted to acquire a public consensus of the surrounding neighbors of the proposed DFA.
Representatives from the Chicago Park District, Ward Alderman's office, C.A.P.S., the neighborhood association and the local park advisory council should be present at these meetings. The results of the petition and the three survey types should be distributed and discussed.
Step Four: Involving the Chicago Park District
After all the surveys are completed and the community approves the proposed DFA, a written proposal with all supporting documentation should be submitted to the Chicago Park District for review and consideration.
This proposal should have letters of support from the local park advisory council, the Ward Alderman, the governing neighborhood associations, block clubs, and schools, condominium associations or local business that may border the proposed site. Copies of this proposal should be forwarded to the Ward Alderman and governing neighborhood association.
Upon approval of a proposed DFA, the Chicago Park District will negotiate design possibilities, which will be shown at neighborhood association meetings for review and agreement. The Chicago Park District will also obtain costs for the proposed DFA and negotiate exactly which costs the community will be responsible for.
Step Five: Community Responsibilities
The most important aspect of having a successful DFA in a park is on-going community support and communication with the Chicago Park District. There are certain responsibilities a community must adhere to:
Maintenance: The community must assist in the maintenance of the DFA. It is the responsibility of the users of the DFA to clean up after their pets, rotate, bleach and replace any pea gravel areas, wash down the hard surfaced areas regularly and daily clean up any waste that users may have missed. The regular users of the DFA should inform new users of the rules and regulations as well as the importance of maintenance. The dog owner group should provide the Chicago Park District with a monthly cleaning schedule and will have to sign a letter stating their agreement for the upkeep of the DFA.
Monitoring the DFA: The community or users of the DFA should assist in the monitoring of the DFA. The dog owner group members should encourage the enforcement of the leash laws outside of the DFA, monitor the behavior of the dogs and dog owners using the DFA and assist in the education of new users.
Management: Have frequent communication with the Chicago Park District regarding the management of the DFA. If problems occur with the operation or patrons of the DFA, the Chicago Park District should be informed and involved in the resolution of the problem.
Fundraising: Organize fundraising campaigns to finance new projects for the DFA such as a doggie drinking fountain, a kiosk, an isolation area or an agility area.
Clean-Ups: Hold semi-annual entire park clean-ups in conjunction with Friends of the Parks, Earth Day and Clean and Green celebrations.
Failure to provide this type of support, both operational and financial, may result in the Chicago Park District reconverting the parkland to its original use. Each year, the Chicago Park District will return to neighborhood association meetings to discuss the success or failure of the DFA The Chicago Park District will take appropriate action once that determination is made.
Beaches
Recently, the Chicago Park District and City Council both amended their ordinances regarding animals to allow the Park District General Superintendent to designate specific off-leash hours at certain beach locations, depending on approval from the local park advisory council, local neighborhood association an Ward Alderman.
The same process and standards that apply to a DFA in a park is the same for off-leash hours at a beach. For potential beach access consideration the aforementioned petitions, the three survey types and a maintenance schedule should be included in a proposal to the Park District.
Rules and rEgulations of a DFA an Beach Off-Leash Hours
Dog Friendly Area Proposal Submission Checklist
Listed below are the components and supporting materials that are required for the review of your DFA proposal submission package:
Sponsoring Organization. Statement of Organization's history, mission and membership. This group is usually the dog owner group and/or the local neighborhood association.
Proposed Location. Exact location of the proposed DFA including proximity to any residential buildings and local businesses. This should also include other amenities of the park (i.e. athletic field, playlot, etc.)
Confirmation of Land Ownership. Obtain, in writing, exactly which city agency owns the land for the proposed DFA.
Specifications of Proposed DFA. Size of the proposed location, amenities of desired DFA (i.e. benches, retaining walls, lighting, surfacing, fencing, etc.)
Community Survey Results. Copy of the petition, the surveys and the desired site plan
Community Support. In your proposal, include information about the sponsoring organization's community meetings, which were held over a period of one year. Include an attendance list as well as representatives from other organizations
Involving the Chicago Park District. Include who from the Chicago Park District has been informed of the ongoing process for the proposed DFA (park supervisor, area manager, region manager, etc.)
Maintenance Plan. Information regarding methods the sponsoring organization will implement to maintain the DFA.
Expected Revenue. Identify the source of the sponsoring organization's revenue for the proposed DFA. Include any tentative fund-raising efforts.
Relevance & Enhancement to the Community. Statement of how the proposed DFA relates to the existing park, the surrounding neighborhood and the city in general.
Dogs by law must be on leash (6 foot) while off property. Also, they are completely prohibited in signed natural areas per Park District Code no. VII.B10a. Also in all playgrounds.
Owner's responsibility when an animal bites:
Call 911 or 311 as appropriate
Letter from resident K. Randall, to the Herald, January 17, 2007
This letter is an appeal to fellow dog owners. As I walked y dog on a leash in front of the park near my home, a dog who was off-leash ran from the park and attacked my dog. His owner tried to call him back to no avail. She later said her dog was "not aggressive."
Last night another dog was attacked in front of this park. My small children have been terrified by large dogs charging at them and knocking them over. My son had a toy that had been given as a birthday present that day destroyed by a dog who ran an bit it and whose owner gave no apology or reimbursement.
There is a leash law in Chicago for a reason. Any dog trainer or the book Urban Dog, by Cis Frankel, Oprah's dog trainer, will tell you a dog who does not immediately return to his owner when called only once despite any distraction should not be off leash in an urban area.
It is not only unsafe for other dogs and people, b ut for the dog himself who may run into the street and be hit, which I have also witnessed.
Please be considerate of others, as well as your own dog. Keep your dog on a leash, find a fenced yard and/or get obedience training. An excellent neighborhood dog training resource is Canis Sapiens.
