The McKinley Park dog park would be a designated area where residents and their well-behaved canine citizens can exercise and have fun in a clean, safe environment. We want to create a beautiful, well-maintained space open to all dog lovers and friends who will be willing to uphold the park’s rules and restrictions. We aim for this dog park to be a community project, supported in large part by volunteer dog advocates and maintained in partnership with the Chicago Park District.

There are currently zero dog parks south of 15th Street.  The Chicago Park District is neglecting the needs of dog owners in more than half of the city.  We need a list of supporters from the community and surrounding neighborhoods to present to the Chicago Park District that shows there is interest.  There are a number of reasons why opening a dog park in McKinley Park would be a smart move:

-There are no public dog parks in our area to accommodate safe, off-leash dog activities.

- Such a park would allow families with dogs to spend more quality time with their pets.

- It would reduce angst between dog owners, non-owners, police and park authorities regarding dog access to other city parks.

- This park would increase opportunities for residents to interact with their neighbors and help create a sense of community.

- Many dogs need exercise above and beyond human limitations; furthermore, many dog owners do not have a yard where their dogs can spend time outside, and leashes greatly limit the dog’s space and pace. 

- Socializing dogs is very beneficial to the community, since it makes them less skittish and can mitigate aggressive behavior when meeting other dogs and people.

- Regular exercise is great for any dog's longevity and weight control, and the overall effect of regular exercise makes most dogs calmer and better behaved.

Please help us create a dedicated space that allows our residents to exercise their canine family members and themselves as well as benefit the community as a whole!

If you would like to be involved in our efforts, you can email mckinleyparkdogparkcommittee@yahoo.com. We can update you on our next steps and see how you may be able to help out.

Sincerely,
McKinley Park Dog Park Committee