Thanks to Alderman Brendan Reilly, the Chicago Park District and the RNRA’s Pet Owners’ Committee, the permanent Dog Friendly Area (DFA) was officially opened September 2014.
Located in the north section of Ward Park (north of Erie and west of Larrabee), this beautiful new neighborhood amenity includes a large triangular fenced area in which dog owners may allow their pets to run and play without leashes, subject to certain restrictions. This off-leash (or “dog-friendly”) area was created to address a community that is fully compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) requirements.