Dog Park Plan Is Unleashed In Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn Park District Commissioners are once again attempting to get a dog park on property owned by Oak Lawn Community High School District 229.
The commissioners met on June 9, and unanimously agreed to send a letter of intent supporting their request for a dog park to be created on land that School District 229 owns at the northwest corner of 93rd Street and Kilbourn Avenue, near the railroad tracks.
Commissioner Mary Margaret Wallace said the idea was proposed by a resident who thought it would be a good idea for the village to get a dog park.
“I think a dog park would be a huge success in Oak Lawn. I have already received a lot of calls, e-mails and a petition signed by more then 500 residents of the village,” said Wallace.
Wallace said that the Park District has allocated $30,000 from its capital budget for the construction of the park. The letter of intent has already been sent to School District 229.
Wallace, who is a dog owner, said she did not have a dog when she started the fight to get a dog park. Currently, the closest dog park is in Oak Brook, and Wallace said that community charges a significant amount of money to use the park.
The allocated money will be used for the construction, fences around the park, benches for people to sit on, disposal units and a double-gated entrance. If the project is given the go-ahead, Wallace said the commissioners will look to sponsorship for a possible water fountain.
The location is ideal, said Wallace, because it is not in a heavily residential population. She also believes this will be great for the community.
“Not only is this great for dog owners, but dog owners who don’t have kids plus people can socialize there,” said Wallace.
There are plenty of dog owners in Oak Lawn and Wallace thinks it would be a great place for someone to go outside and enjoy the day with their dog.
Melissa Rimdzivs, the supervisor for the dog park in Homewood, said that not only is the park for dogs but it has become a place to socialize for their owners. She said that since Hometown opened its dog park at 191st Street and Center Avenue in 2001, about 300 people take out memberships each year, with a little more than that coming this year.
“People build their own communities at the park, people will go in a small circle and they all know each other’s dogs and they try to meet there,” said Rimdzivs.
Homewood charges a $15 annual fee for residents and a $25 fee for non-residents. The only other requirement is the completion of paperwork that is required by Cook County.
“It is a social place for those people who don’t have kids. People put a lot of energy into their dogs,” said Rimdzivs.
Rimdzivs said she was a member of the park before becoming the supervisor. She also said that most people work out whatever little tiffs may come up and everyone seems to get along.
The plan for Oak Lawn would be for the area to be “de-brushed” and landscaped this summer so the dog park can be created as quickly as possible.
If the park were to be built, there would be residential and non-residential fees for those who want to use it. Wallace has been trying to get a dog park for the village for a few years.
Oak Lawn Park District Director Maddie Kelly and Oak Lawn School District 229 Superintendent James Briscoe were not available for comment in time for the News-Herald deadline.