Pets are now welcome in the parks of Western Springs due to a policy change designed to encourage outdoor wellness, said Walter Knake, interim director of the Western Springs Park District.
“We want to encourage more outdoor wellness and connections for the whole family.” said Knake. “In our community, pets are like family and people want to bring the whole family out.”
Previously, pets were not allowed in any of the 13 Western Springs parks. Knake said a 2013 survey showed about half the respondents were in favor of pets being allowed in the parks.
“We have received many phone calls from people asking us to allow them to bring their pets to our parks,” Knake said.
“We don’t have the resources to dedicate a full park to being a dog park. But we want to do what the residents want. The whole idea is to have outdoor solutions for Western Springs families,” he said.
Residents will need to have any pets on a proper leash, and to clean up after their animals. They will also be required to carry clean up equipment with them to the park.
“I am excited because I see so many people walk their dogs by Northeast Park and now they can take their dog to the park to enjoy, or even bring the whole family to the park to play,” said Megan Thomason from Western Springs.
Cindy Abrahamson of La Grange Park said she likes to walk the track at Spring Rock Park, and has liked it that dogs were not allowed.
“There are people who don’t pick up their waste and a lot of people can be afraid of dogs and people may think their dog is friendly but you can’t assume that your pets will be that way with everyone,” said Mary Jane McCormack of La Grange.
Knake said the full regulations regarding the pets in park policy is posted on the park district website and the signs will be corrected in all of the parks.
“We will not replace the existing signs as that would not be cost efficient, but we will make the appropriate changes.”
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Diane Dachota is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.