Dog friendly areas are designated sections within Chicago parks or beaches, where dogs are allowed to run and play off -leash, the only areas in the city where this is allowed.  Until the creation of these areas, dogs were only allowed in the city’s parks on a leash. Many of these sites provide features such as doggie drinking fountains, separate areas for shy dogs, dog owner bulletin boards, trash receptacles and extra doggie bags.

The owner or other responsible person bringing any dog into a dog friendly area must have a permit and tag issued by a participating Veterinarian for each dog. Please be responsible when using these areas by following the policies and procedures for Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Areas.
We hope your dog enjoys running, playing and socializing with other dogs in a Chicago Park District dog friendly area. Remember to be safe, obey the rules, and respect the park and others.

For further information on dog friendly areas:

• Rules & Regulations

Where can I get a permit and tag? Permits and tags are available at participating Chicagoland veterinary offices. If you are an out-of-state resident you have the option of contacting a participating veterinary office.   Most of the Chicagoland veterinarians will assist those whose own vets are not participating.  You should call them first to confirm that they will assist you, what paperwork is necessary to obtain the permit and tag, and to determine how much they charge for an office visit. You can also have your own veterinarian purchase the tag on your behalf from the Chicago Park District. They can contact us at 312-742-4687.  View the list of participating Chicagoland veterinary offices. http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/dog-friendly-areas/participating-veterinarians/

For the second year in a row, hundreds of our River North residents voted in our summer movie survey.  Shown in A. Montgomery Ward Park, movies will begin Tuesday June 17th at sundown. We are looking for volunteers to help us greet and hand out programs prior to the movies. Interested, please contact info@rnrachicago.org.

This year’s movie line-up:

• June 17^th – As Good As it Gets
• July 1^st – Captain Phillips
• July 15^th – Chicago
• July 29^th – Gravity
• August 12^th – The Blind Side
• August 26^th – The Lego Movie

The six movies are sponsored by RNRA with the support of the Chicago Park District. The cost of each move is paid by RNRA along with support from local businesses who sponsor our program. The movies are selected from a catalog supplied by the Park District. All movies are rate PG-13 or lower.

Please remember Dogs are NOT allowed in A. Montgomery Ward Park at anytime. Alcohol is also prohibited.

See you in the park!

The 31st Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 13 through June 15 in Grant Park is the largest FREE blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago’s Music Festivals. This year the festival theme celebrates “Blues by the Lake,” with three days of the finest blues music featuring headliners Carolina Chocolate Drops, Otis Taylor Band and a special celebration commemorating the centennial of John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson featuring Billy Boy Arnold and The Siegel-Schwall Blues Band with Sam Lay. Also headlining, Theo Huff, Willie Clayton, Bettye LaVette Nikki Hill, Aaron Neville and Dr. John.

The FREE admission Chicago Blues Festival is open from 11am to 9:30pm daily. The Petrillo Music Shell will feature headliners at 6pm–9:30pm on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14. The stage will run 5:30pm–9:30pm on Sunday, June 15.

During three days on five stages, more than 500,000 blues fans prove that Chicago is the “Blues Capital of the World.” Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and the late Koko Taylor. Admission is free.

Please visit www.chicagobluesfestival.us for more information.

Looking for discounts in River North? Please sign up for your Member Card today!

Spring has sprung and Hollywood has returned to River North! Please take note of upcoming filming schedules in our neighborhood.

Filming Notification on Kinzie

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Location: 66 W. Kinzie

Traffic Impact: The north side of Kinzie

CTA Construction Activity under Brown Line

Date and Time: Every night beginning Wednesday, May 14, 2014 to Friday, May 16, 2014 from 7 pm to 6 am the next day

Location: Franklin St (between Illinois and Chicago)

Traffic Impact: To accommodate installation of new steel structure to remove a slow zone there will be a “No Parking / Tow Zone”

CTA Construction Activity under Brown Line

Date and Time: Sunday, May 18, 2014 from 6 am to 8 pm

Location: Franklin St (between Illinois and Chicago)

Traffic Impact: To accommodate installation of new steel structure to remove a slow zone there will be a “No Parking / Tow Zone”. Please note there may be noise prior to 9 am for staging of trucks and preparing equipment, but the most loud noise will take place after 9 am

The public is invited to attend a community meeting on Monday, May 19 at 6 pm for a development proposal for properties located at 167 West Erie Street and 720 North LaSalle Street. The meeting will be held at Gino’s East former site, 633 N. Wells Street.   Representatives of the Magellan Development team will present their plans and answer any questions you may have about these two proposals.

Alderman Reilly will co-host the meeting in conjunction with your River North Residents Association (RNRA) and monitor the discussion, take notes, and record your feedback.

WHAT:     167 West Erie Street and 720 North LaSalle Street

WHO:       Hosted by Alderman Brendan Reilly and River North Residents Association (RNRA)

WHEN:     Monday, May 19, 2014 at 6 p.m.

WHERE:   Gino’s East Restaurant (note the former location)

               633 N Wells Street

               Chicago, IL 60654 

We hope you can join RNRA and Alderman Reilly to engage in a direct dialogue with the development team to gain a better understanding of their proposal and receive answers to any questions you may have.

 Thank you to all our of our volunteers and families for another successful event Spring Egg hunt! We had record turnouts for hunting 1500 eggs on Saturday. A BIG thank you to our Family chair Lana Berkovich (lberkovich@rnrachicago.org) for organizing this year’s event along with our very special sponsors, Jeff Stogsdill State Farm, Connie Regas’ Fleur de lis, Suzuki-Orf music and Cleo. We also want to thank our volunteers and RNRA committee chairpersons for lending their help. We would love to host more FREE events for our families and are always looking for volunteers.

The public is invited to attend a community meeting on Monday, April 28th at 6 pm for a development proposal for the property located at 750 N. Hudson Avenue. The meeting will be held at Kinmont Restaurant, 419 W. Superior Street.   Representatives of the ONNI Group development team will present their plans and answer any questions you may have about this proposal.  Alderman Reilly will co-host the meeting in conjunction with the River North Residents Association (RNRA) and monitor the discussion, take notes, and record your feedback.

The ONNI group has submitted a proposal for the development of a 25-story mixed use building to contain 240 residential units, 10,000 square feet of retail space, two landscaped roof terraces for residents, and an open green space at the corner of Kingsbury Street and Chicago Avenue.

WHAT:     750 N. Hudson Avenue Proposal

WHO:       Hosted by Alderman Brendan Reilly and River North Residents Association (RNRA)

WHEN:     Monday, April 28, 2014 at 6 p.m.

WHERE:   Kinmont Restaurant

               419 W. Superior Street

               Chicago, IL 60654 

We hope you can join RNRA and Alderman Reilly to engage in a direct dialogue with the development team to gain a better understanding of their proposal and receive answers to any questions you may have.