I’ve been spending a lot of time in Chicago lately, so that seemed like a good place to start on my new Monday feature: Dog Parks in Major Cities. To get the low-down, I consulted Windy City Paws, a site that connects dog families with available walkers and sitters in the metro area. They have a longer list, but I’m going to give you one example for each area of town.
On the South Side: Check out Coliseum Park at 1466 S. Wabash Ave. There is a double gated entrance on the side of Coliseum dog park, which is located at the back of Coliseum Park. It is directly underneath the CTA tracks, so the noise from trains can be a bit jolting for small or skittish dogs. The dog park is a run-style layout and features a water source, artificial turf, and picturesque trees. The nearby playground area has contemporary playground equipment, which coincides with the overall unconventional theme of this park. And, hey, watch out for Bad, Bad Leroy Brown!
On the North Side: Pottawattomie Park at 7340 N. Rogers Ave. Located in the Rogers Park neighborhood, this dog park is a bit small and may not be quite right for those with big dogs. There is limited grass, which is perfect for those with allergies and looking for a small dog-friendly area with a provided doggie drinking fountain.
In the Loop: Grant Park at 951 S. Columbus Dr. Located north and west of 9th Street at the service yard south of Balbo, the Grant Park dog park includes a sprawling area that’s great for big dogs that like to roam. Dogs are allowed to be off-leash, and water is provided via a doggie drinking fountain.
Uptown: Challenger Park at 1100 W. Irving Park Rd. Located at the east side of the playground, the Challenger dog friendly area is completely fenced in and allows off-leash play. Bags are not provided, but there is a doggie drinking fountain available. Because of it being directly underneath the CTA track, the noise can be a bit much for skittish or smaller dogs.
On the West Side: Bartelme, Mary Park at 115 S. Sangamon St. Known as the West Loop Dog Park or the Bartelme Dog Park, this West Loop favorite encompasses a 0.1 acre area located north of Adams and west of Peoria. There is a constant refilling drinking bowl, a hose that is available for use for most of the year, and a nearby mist tunnel at Bartelme Park. This updated dog area replaced an existing parking lot, but there is still a large amount of convenient parking still available. Waste bags are provided, it is completely fenced in, and there is a multidimensional walking area for pets.
And if you’re on the East Side, get out of the lake!
Next week: New York City, the town so nice they named it twice.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!