Miller Meadow Dog Park

[Deborah Brown]

I'm reposting this information as a discussion so that I can post updates as this develops.  Also, a big reminder that the Open House is this Thursday, 7/25 from 5-7 pm.  If you live in western Cook County, you can find out what the Forest Preserve District is planning for our area.  They have said that any comments need to be sent to them by 7/31.

The Forest Preserve of Cook County is proposing a new dog park for Miller Meadow which is located at 1st Ave and Cermak.  I'm part of a group that is working with the forest preserve.  This is a very densely populated area and we want to make sure that the new park is large enough to adequately serve the residents and dogs.  Hopefully, it will contain a meadow area plus a forested area and access to the Des Plaines River.  

You can help us out by "liking" us at https://www.facebook.com/MillerMeadowDogPark.  Progress updates will also be posted there.  One exciting bit of news is that the Forest Preserve is planning an Open House for 7/25 to unveil the preliminary plans.  You can view the invitation at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/7385772043.  

I will be attending the open house and will post any interesting news.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thanks Deborah.  I live in eastern Cook County, literally as far east as you can get - but I think this is a great idea and very much appreciate the efforts of you and your group.

[Deborah Brown]

I attended the Open House and was disappointed but not surprised by the plans. The site plan can be found at: http://fpdcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_7_22-Miller-Meadow...  It shows a 7 acre fenced in rectangle in the middle of the meadow.  I can't believe that would even be aesthetically pleasing to anyone.  It is great that they want to create a dog park but clear that they know very little about doing so.

I'll be writing a long letter with my concerns which include overcrowding and lack of diversity.  Miller Meadow has some nice forested areas.  Including these areas in the dog park would be a really big plus.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thanks for the update.  Without being familiar with the area, it's hard to tell what the part shown on the drawing looks like.  It looks like it does include some trees, so I suppose that is nice?  It occurred to me, the probably should just talk to whomever did the dog parks for Lake County (Prairie Wolf, etc.).  They did such a great job.  

Also I notice the little fenced in area shown on the picture.  I really don't get the big dog/small dog thing.  Maybe in a very close environment that would be useful, but it seems to me that whole point of these forest preserve dog parks is that there is a enough room for everyone.  Most importantly, it should feel natural when you are there.  The great thing about places like Prairie Wolf and Independence Grove is that you don't feel like you are in a fenced-in dog park when you are there.  When you have visible wire fences like they do in those pictures, it ruins the psychological benefit for the dogs (and the owners) of being able to run free as nature intended.

Lastly, they should definitely include a shower or hose of some kind to clean off when you are done.

Just my two cents, for whatever that is worth.

[Deborah Brown]

Jay, please send your comments directly to [e-mail].  I should have linked to this page:  http://fpdcc.com/siteplans/

Comments/suggestions/ideas need to be submitted by July 31.  Even if you don't live close but have some ideas about dog parks, it would great if you'd take a few moments to submit them.  Jay, you can just copy and paste what you posted here.

I appreciate any and all help!

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Done.

[Deborah Brown]

The forest preserve district has named Miller Meadow Dog Park Group the "sponsor" and main contact.  All stakeholders are to work through this group in regards to design preferences, etc.

MMDPG has asked for more space, no split between large and small dogs (a smaller small dog area can be added) and water available within the fenced area.  I don't know if there has been any response from the forest preserve.  I'm really not sure that they actually intend to negotiate but only do things the easiest and cheapest way.  Time will tell.  If I get more info, I will share it here.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thanks for the update.  And good luck!