There is a rumor that the acre lot at the corner of Wabash & 16th, next to the church, will be a large dog park. Has this area been approved through the city and the community?
As a resident of the 1620 Michigan Ave building, I am disappointed that state and federal money will be spent on a dog park. In our area, we have 3 dog parks within a few blocks of each other. As a dog owner and resident of the South Loop, I feel like we have developed enough space for our dogs.
I’m not sure if the people who want this (ex. South Loop Dog Pac members) live in our building or have a unit that faces West. My concern is that my unit faces West, which would be right next to the park. If a dog park is built, my family and I will have to deal with the constant barking and noise that comes with a dog park. As a new parent , the noise level and the daily disturbance would drive us as well as our newborn crazy. You’re pretty much asking us to leave the South Loop because we’re never going to be able to sit out on our balcony and enjoy our view with peace and quiet. I know you might say that there are hours of operation at the dog park, but who will sit there and make sure the use of the park is not abused? No one. I have a feeling that I will get fed up with the noise and have to call the police to quiet the noise. Also, we would have to endure the smell of dog feces and urine because many owners do not pick up after their dog(s). Knowing this, the feces would attract rodents and make the general area unsanitary.
On top of the noise, this will bring down our property value because who wants to live next to a dog park, listening to dogs barking all the time? As a concerned homeowner in today’s economy, we value our property. If we are looking for our property value to increase, we should invest in general parks and/or playground areas for families. We have more daycare centers in the surrounding blocks of the South Loop than retail space. Parents only have 3 options where their children can go and play. But building an entire acre for a dog park is just plain ridiculous. Many of my neighbors are up in arms about this idea and will petition to stop the development of this dog park.
(Hat tip: MC!)
54 comments:
In my experience, petitions don't really do much of anything. The best is to complain to the Alderman every time you think about it. Call -- attend meetings -- email/postal.
Before doing so, I'd suggest going to one of the other dog parks a few times and see for yourself whether there is "constant barking and noise". I'm not sure what other "noise" comes from a dog park other than barking, and owning pets, I've never noticed an excessive amount of it when I'm there.
I also would ask that you provide some sort of proof that a dog park decreases property value before making such statements. Usually a vacant lot brings down property values much more than a park, no matter what its use, does.
I think its interesting that you bring up spending state and federal money for the dog park when, generally, those funds are not used. Dog parks are usually funded by donors (actual property notwithstanding). Furthermore, public parks with playgrounds require upkeep by the city or parks board and have many more guidelines for development than a dog park, which is, again, mostly designed and maintained by private citizens.
Besides that fact, its somewhat ironic that you feel its ok to spend public monies on playgrounds for families because those benefit your needs when, in fact, there are more pet owners than families with children in the South Loop.
If the lot is indeed an acre, a compromise could be that the dog park be built either in the center or an area farthest away from residential units with windows/balconies and a public park surrounding it as a buffer.
I think that statement is a little over dramatic but I agree that we probably don't need a 1 acre dog park in the South Loop. There is so much green space already.
Do you have any links to show where you heard this information or is this just a rumor that you heard from someone who heard it from someone?
The reason I ask is because I'm almost positive that the corner lot on 16th and Wabash was owned by the True Rock Ministries who use the lot for parking and events on occasion. I also remember a story a while back about plans by the church to use that lot to expand their facilities.
I'm not with the church so I'm not 100% on whether they're going through with these plans, but from their website, it looks like they're looking to build a structure that they refer to as the Rock Dome. Check out this link for drawings of the layout. It doesn't look like they've got plans for a dog park. Perhaps you should just walk over and ask them if they're planning on putting in a dog park?
http://www.truerockministries.com/whoweare/therockdome.html
Perhaps you were referring to the empty lot just south of the southeast corner of 16th and Wabash? I'm not sure who owns that or if there were ever plans to develop that land.
In the end, if that lot were to be developed with another highrise (like the one that you live in) instead of a dog park, then you'll probably be complaining about losing your west facing view and about living in the shadow of another building. Whatever the end result will be, I can promise you that the lot won't remain empty forever.
Food for thought...I'm sure folks in the neighborhood prior to your building being built had all sorts of reasons why they personally didn't want such a large out of place building to go up.
1) before you get all up in arms about a rumor, try to do a little legwork to see if it's more than rumor
2) things can always be worse
Actually dog parks in the city bring property values up.
And dogs do need an fenced of acre to run around in. They're not hamsters, they need space.
Also the city is really no place to raise a family... so do your kids a favor and buy a house with a backyard.
Dog parks do not bring down property value. I use to live in Wicker Park across from a very active dog park and the building i lived in as well as my neighbors were the most desirable on the block! I couldn't afford it anymore and had to move here! I hope this rumor is true.
There are definitely not three dog parks in this area. There is a small one at 16th and Prairie and another small one at Coliseum Park, but anyone who lives and walks around the SLoop can not argue that this is enough space. There are so many dog owners in the neighborhood.
I myself do not own a dog but I am in full support of this because by providing dog owners with a big, open park for their pets it will relieve the pressure on our existing people parks. Parks like Roosevelt Park, Daniel Webster Park, and Cottontail Park are not dog parks but are still overrun with dogs. By opening a big dog park at 16th and Wabash those other parks will become more people-friendly.
"I am in full support of this because by providing dog owners with a big, open park for their pets it will relieve the pressure on our existing people parks"
I'm not sure how true this is, although it would be nice if it was. I compare it to the dog park in Grant Park. Even though it's there, from what I've seen hardly anyone chooses to use it, instead letting their dogs romp and do their business over near the headless statues because it's closer to where they live. I think the same would be true in this case. For the majority, only those close enough to this park instead of another one would use it - regardless of if it was a dog or people park.
It is not a rumor. And the property at issue is not owned by True Rock. The Alderman has been working with residents and community groups on this dog park for sometime. As to noise I have a park outside my front door that is active with dogs and my small children have never been distrubed by barking. With all the city and street noise it is hard to imagine someone complaining about a dog park based on the potential noise.
I guess you can't please everyone, but the S. Loop has plenty of dogs per capita to justify a dog park atr that location and it is coming.
If you are talking about the empty lot just south of the church where everyone in the neighborhood takes their dogs to...then what's the difference if they make it an "official" dog park?
The city is full of noise. Whether it's sirens going down the street, dogs barking, people talking outside,or loud concerts at Soldier field, it comes with the territory. Don't live in the city if you want peace and quiet.
I am not a pet owner, but I am in favor of a dog park there too. It is informally being used for that purpose now and has signs asking owners to pick up the poop. From what I have seen, most of the users are from 1620 or 1720 S Michigan anyway.
There might be room for a playground too. I garauntee that the noise from the kids squealing will be way more annoying than an occasional dog bark.
That being said, I am in favor of a dog park & playground combo.
I'm not in favor of a dog park. Why reward dog owners who let their animals sh!t all over our neighborhood without cleaning up after? Makes zero sense.
Also, before any $$ is spent on developing a dog park, the pre-existing kids' parks in this hood are in need of MAJOR upgrades.
I love kids and dogs both! Both deserve space to run and play. I also agree that a dog park will likely serve to increase property value-a lot more people with dogs are looking to buy in the SL then people with kids. Most families I know in the SL eventually try to move out-and no it is not because of dog noise but instead the many challenges of raising children in the small spaces found in SL condos. That lot looks large enough for both a playground and a dog park.
I think the dog park of that size is long overdue. There is not enough green space in the south loop. Converting a rock filled empty lot to a green space is an improvement. I seriously doubt the writer is an actual dog owner or else he would have actually visited a local dog park and would know that his concerns about feces and noise are unfounded. I suggest that if the writer is concerned about resale values he should look to improve the tidal waves of foreclosure or allegations of prostitution that 1620 S. Michigan is known for in the South Loop. Again I approve and applaud the dog park, its location and our Alderman for being proactive with regards to this issue.
I'm @ 1720 and I would venture that 99.9% of dogs from 1720 & 1620 take their owners to that empty lot.
I would love that it be transformed into a children/dog park. Our prop values would go up.
If I ever sell my unit I would advertise "Pet friendly building with a wonderful kid/dog park 50 feet away (think of Chgo Winters)."
Do it!
I dont particularly like the comment about the City not being an appropriate place to raise kids. Anyway... there are much more dogs than kids in this neighborhood and in this city. To be honest there isn't a true dog park until you go to Lincoln Park or the West Loop. True Dog park being an open grassed and fenced area.
For all we know this could become a destination dog park and attract people from all over the city to visit our neighborhood. People means dollars and dollars means retail business and repeat visitors.
I too am a dog owner and agree that people not picking up after their dogs is a problem but I may add that it is getting better.
I wonder if the link from the South Loop Dog PAC is the reason why there are so many pro-dog park posts? You wanted and got Grant Bark Park. Those dog owners who are too lazy to scoop poop are definitely too lazy to walk over to Grant Park, so I guess you are on to Plan B. Maybe the thinking is the dog owners who let their dogs off their leashes at the non-dog parks like Cotton Tail and Roosevelt will go to this new park? I'm guessing not. Only people who live nearby will go to this park, so let's dedicate a majority of the new park's space to people and you can have a smaller dog friendly area too. Dogs are great but we don't need another large dog only area. You wanted Grant Bark Park, so go use it. Apparently some of the other posters aren't aware of how many families there are in the South Loop. Go to the parks, you'll find out. Also, last time I checked, dogs are much happier with large backyards than being cooped up in your condo.
Can't we all just get along? I love Wicker Park and we should try to model our park around it. There's enough room for people, kids and DOGS. The one in the Coliseum Park is a joke! We need more space.
Hmm, let's see . . . vacant parking lot or developed green space?
Sounds like a good place to build a Popeye's with a 24 hour drive-thru.
Isn't there Grant Dog Park? Another 1-acre dog park? I don't believe ALL the money used to build this park will be from donated money, especially from the South Loop Dog PAC organization. This park will cost taxpayers millions. Thank your alderman for putting the city's money to good use. Fioretti, your the man! More importantly, support small business around the South Loop.
All of these valiant, strong and polarizing opinions on the matter, yet no one is willing to have their name attached to it. Funny how cowardice and bravery flip-flop based on whether you're in someone's face or sitting behind your personal computer in the privacy of your home.
I can't believe the comment about leaving rat poison for dogs got approved.
So everything has to escalate to violent acts? Is this what you want people to know about our community?
Yes, there is plans for park to include dog friendly area, but not a full dog park. This is a poor location for many reason, including that there is already one at 15th & Wabash.
I was told the city really overpaid for this lot. Something like $11MM to have a place for dogs to run when the rest of the parks have not been completed.
Funny thing I was told was that True Rock wanted to have the land donated to them. Sure!
At the same time, my condo board told me that someone is trying to turn the private park at 16th & Indiana back into a PARKING LOT. What? said something about a guy from the gsla leading the plan.
The South Loop Dogs people should be concentrating on getting less conscientious dog owners to pick up after their dog and keep their dogs on their leashes in non-dog parks. These bad dog owners give all of them a bad name and ruin it for everyone else.
They would have been better off buying the former eco16 lot (sw corner of 18th and Wabash). That way the city could integrate a park and el stop when the time comes.
An organization actually wanted something done to better the community so they ORGANIZED and successfully were able to get what they want. The South Loop Dog Pac should be congratulated for doing something that will make the community better. An attractive dog park versus a lot that has been vacant for years that will definitely not be commercialized any time soon in this economy is definitely a good thing. I live across from a dog park now that my building OWNS not the city and it is not loud. Maybe these people who are complaining about this should actually organize and do something about making the community better. Two people were shot on Michigan Ave a few nights ago and yet everything thinks a dog park is the real problem here???
The biggest joke is the "destination dog park." The lazy dog owners can barely cross the street from 1400 S. State apartment building. They have destroyed the grass at the entrance to Dearborn Park II. Dog owners just simply wont't travel farther that the first patch of grass, especially in the winter. I have even seen condo and apartment dwellers allow their dogs to use the flower garden against the front of their building or sidewalk within 15 feet of the front door to their building. I would guess that 85% of the users of any new dog park will be those within a one block circle around the park. What is clear is the great deal of animosity that is building between the bad dog owners and property owners in the S. Loop. It only takes a limited number of bad owners to ruin the neighborhood for everyone.
a few things about dog parks in Chicago. They are NOT green. Have you ever seen grass in a Chicago dog park? It is not allowed by city regs.
Also, regarding paying for the park, the users are required to privately fund a minimum of 50% of the costs for the park & also provide a fund for maintenance. Ask that of parents for playgrounds & we would probably have no kiddie parks, either. Both types of parks improve property values.
I can tell you how we (in the south end of Grant Park) chased out the drug dealers who hung out there 10 yrs ago when we first started congregating with our dogs. Which would you rather have?
To all of the dog haters: I own two dogs and I ALWAYS pick up after my dogs, I also take my dogs to the Grant Park dog park regularly. It would be great to have a place in the neighborhood that was close enough to walk to everyday. I own Pugs and they can't handle the heat, so Grant Park is often to far to go especially with the weather we've seen this past week. As far as the original complaint about noise, do they propose we tear down the L and ban sirens? Those make far more noise than dogs barking.
It makes me sad to read some of the comments on this blog.
1. There will always be rude and inconsiderate dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs. As a dog owner I wish this didn't happen. However, I also wish people didn't smash bottles on the ground, or get angry that a pedestrian dare to cross the street when they are in such a hurry to drive away from the stop sign. There are rude people in the world and in the SL, let's stop blaming the dogs.
2. Dogs in the city need a place to pee. I know it is frustrating to see the yellow dry spots on the lawns of SL, but what do people want instead? How about a place where dog owners can go to let their dogs go pee...oh wait, people don't want to waste unused space like that listed on this posting for that!
3. Yes, when it is cold, a dog walker is most likey to run to the nearest snow pile or grassy area to let their dog go. We are prone to being just as lazy sometimes as the next person and are just as sensitive to the cold as those who don't own a dog. I can't imagine that a children's play ground would get more use during those cold winter months then a dog park...most parents I know want to keep their children out of the freezing cold and snow, and wouldn't drag their children to the park more then a couple of times for a special snowman building day.
4. When people get angry about their dry grass and the occasional bad dog owner please keep in mind that many of the dog owners I know in the SL, myself included have rescued dogs from the shelter or pound. We are trying to provide homes to living, feeling creatures who often come from abusive or neglectful environments.
I've lived in the neighoborhood for 8 years, and that lot has been abandoned that whole time. The idea of a nicely maintained dog park in this part of the South Loop appeals to me, and I don't have a dog. I think Coliseum is too small and I like it much better as a people park. Grant Park Bark is far from this area in the winter and for small dogs or for people with dogs and small children. The 16th and Indiana space is privately owned and not a City lot.
The reader raises a number of issues:
First, that there are three dog “parks” within a few blocks of each other. One is at Coliseum Park (3 blocks), a private one is at 16th & Prairie (2 blocks), and one is at Grant Park (~3/4 miles from 1620 S. Michigan). Only Grant Bark Park can be called a ‘park’, however. The first two are no more than ~15 feet wide, and would better be considered dog ‘runs’ that provide room for butt sniffing, peeing & pooing, and a rudimentary fetch completely unsatisfactory for any active dog. Although the reader is a dog owner, one can infer that the dog owned is quite small!
Second, is that dog parks are places of constant barking and noise ‘that comes with a dog park’. This is just not true, as a visit to any of the local dog parks would quickly prove. Dogs bark when they are miserable, frustrated, tied up, beaten, angry or defensive, and they bark, at home, when they sense an intrusion into their territory (just as blog readers do, to dash off an email to the local blog). But dog parks are not places where dogs are generally miserable, frustrated, angry, defensive, or guarding. Dogs in dog parks are frolicking, fetching and having fun – and frolicking fetching and happy dogs don’t bark (and if at all, the occasional happy dog bark annoys no one). The background hum of traffic, equipment, trains and people in South Loop Chicago (as any of us who has stayed with friends in a small town or vacationed in the woods knows) is a significant and constant element of our lives. The sound of happy dogs would likely be welcomed.
Third, is that the reader will have to endure the smell of feces and urine because ‘many’ owners do not pick up. By far most owners pick up after their dogs. The few (not ‘many’) who do not are certainly a problem. This can be addressed a number of ways – by making it as easy as possible and educating such ‘poo cowards’ to pick up, making bags and receptacles accessible and obvious, and by designing the park from the ground up so that it’s easy for the community support group to maintain and clean (e.g. by including built in facilities to easily rinse park surfaces). But the problem of poo and pee exists whether or not a park is present - there’s certainly more urine and feces in the existing undeveloped area than would be present if it were developed into a park that the dog community treated with pride and respect. A new dog park would be an improvement.
Fourth is the old ‘property values’ canard. Enough said. But there’s an important point to be made – from what I have heard, the initiative for this park is that it is to be a jewel, something well designed, thoughtfully designed, and something that really adds to the neighborhood. If any of you have been to the small dog park at Lake Shore East (at 450 E. Benton Place) you’ve seen a beautifully designed space that blends seamlessly into the park there. This is an idea I think that motivates those behind the Wabash & 16th proposal. (In contrast, while Grant Bark Park is functional it is largely just an open asphalt slab. This is hopefully not the vision!)
Finally, some numbers. There are thousands of dogs, and thousands of people who love their dogs, living in the South Loop. They have 0.4 acres at Grant Bark Park where they can (legally) ‘run free’. That’s it. The tennis courts and skate park adjacent to Grant Bark Park total ~1.6 acres, four times the area of the dog park. The ball fields north of and east of the park total almost 12 acres, thirty times the area of the dog park. There are playgrounds at Mark Twain, Coliseum, Cottontail, & Roosevelt parks, and others, and children can run free in acres of open space there and in the green areas along the lake. Sure, if kids need more space to play, then we should work to make it available - Ping Tom park has just been expanded north of 18th, for example. But there is also a need for a large off leash park in the South Loop. The proposal to build this park in the open space at Wabash & 16th should be welcomed.
How about a dog Run in the Mark Twain Park where there is huge space on the north side and parallel to the St Charles tracks (Park is at 15th & Prairie, North Side of tracks)? That seems to be where all the Dog owners illegally hangout anyway, letting their Dogs run off leash in the Children's part of the park; this would move them to the 10 yard run that parallels the tracks around the bend. Fence it in, and it would be cheap and easy, and hidden.
As to the 16th street Park and small Dog area, yes, it is a private park, but it is a zoned 'publically accessible open space' that has to stay open to CPD rules. Word I get is that the Board and Friends of the Park is splitting the community trying to turn it into a parking lot, and the community is pissed about it, as it is zoned a park. Why would anyone want to remove park space when their is not any available anyway?
Funny thing: I wasn't aware that there are any "non"-dog parks or green spaces in the entire south loop. Why? Because there are dogs (and dog feces) EVERYWHERE! Even all over the sidewalks. I am not in favor of rewarding dog owners with any more designated public space. They don't deserve it. Dog parks belong in the suburbs.
relax people the 16th street park is not turning into a parking lot since my building owns it and it would have to be voted on by my building, it was voted down. But your welcome for paying the taxes and maintenance on it and the dog park for everyone to use!
Regarding 16th Street Parking Lot and Comment from Anonymous on August 19, 2010 9:20 PM
who said "relax people the 16th street park is not turning into a parking lot since my building owns it and it would have to be voted on by my building, it was voted down."
You might want check and confirm, because your Prairie Point Board President is pushing the Alderman to approve this without any community review to make this into a parking lot.
Prairie Pointe is a few blocks to the east. The development immediately to the the east of the proposed park is 1620 S Michigan Ave. Are you sure you're thinking of the same park?
No. Dog. Park. Enough said.
Dog owners in this neighborhood should be ashamed of themselves. Not even the ones that pick up their poop obey the rules regarding leashing of dogs. FYI: dogs are NOT allowed to run free in the park at 14th and Indiana!!! READ THE SIGNS!!!
It's amusing how many people would collectively punish people they do not know based on circumstantial evidence. I can't stand dogs, but from my experience the South Loop is no worse than any other neighborhood. It's far better than Wrigleyville, for example, where the dogs have won and humans dare not set foot in any grass (though this could be because we have very little grass along streets). Wouldn't confining dogs to one park allow us non-dog owners to better enjoy the human-centric parks and sidewalks of the neighborhood?
To Anonymous August 26, 2010 3:20 PM
The 16th & Wabash is slotted for a Park including dog friendly area.
However, at 16th & Indiana, their is a privatly owned park that is publically accessible. The Prairie Point president and Friends of the Park are pushing to allow a parking lot to go in there, although it is restricted to park only. Go figure.
Park, parking, what's the difference? It's just three letters!
Dogs and their owners turn "green spaces" into "yellow spaces.". Look at the patches of dog-piss-stained grass all over this neighborhood!!!
Even if you pick-up your dog's crap, you do nothing when your dog takes a leak on the lawn. Right? I've never seen a dog owner take a big bucket of water and dilute the patch of grass that Fido just pissed all over.
Not to stir up broader controversy, but I am a dog-lover who does not currently own a dog. I live in a condo and feel that it would be cruel to keep a dog in that environment. That being said, I have watched my friend's Lab a few times. While he lives in a 3BR townhome, it still seemed like poor treatment to keep an animal of that size in those conditions. Keep in mind I grew up with many dogs, however, we had the appropriate space/yard to make it comfortable for the animals.
What is the dog owner's take on this? It seems like there are many more large dogs than small ones in the city. Why do people opt for large dogs when inside and outside space is limited? It's too bad there aren't more condos that do not allow animals.
I agree that we need more green space in the sloop. However, no dog parks are "green." It's an oxymoron. Dogs crap and piss all over the place. Any green space in a dog park will be yellow, muddy, and brown within months of opening. Waste of public money (even if it is one cent!).
Someone commented that "at least a dog park is better than an abandoned lot." While that may be true (depending on who you ask), why is it that the choice for this spot is either (a) abandoned lot, or (b) dog park? Why not something else? Say, townhomes, single family homes, or row houses? Commercial! Retail! Dining! Farmers Market?! Etc?
Last anon, there is an Amish market in the True Rock lot to the north and vacant condos and retail spots a block north. A park would give a boost to this stretch of Wabash as it gets kind of desolate immediately south, and it would certainly make 1620 S Michigan look more attractive.
Previous anon, are you suggesting that dogs and dog owners are collaborating in painting the town yellow?
Just curious, but how do you guys know this is jeff's (prairie pointe president) intention?
I can totally see him doing this, and then using the proceeds from it for the benefit of a select few--namely the board members. Everyone else here at Prairie Pointe would get shafted, and they wouldn't even know what hit them. Nothing is discussed with the residents until it is already done or until it has been approved at the next board meeting. In all the places I have lived, I have never seen a condo board approach matters in as much of a self-serving and hypocritical manner than some of these board members here feel they have the right to do.
Isn't that Amish Market only like once every couple months?
I agree with the comments that point out that dogs destroy parks/grass/green space. My balcony overlooks the park on the northeast corner of 16th and Indiana. The fencing along the south side of the park, adjacent to 16th street, is set back off of the sidewalk by about 4 feet. Initially, this area was seeded for grass just like the rest of the park. However, this entire stretch of land has been absolutely killed by dogs pissing and dumping all over it. Trust me, I see it from my kitchen window every morning and evening. Lazy dog owners can't even get their dogs to wait another 15 seconds to get to the nearby dog run. Further, almost all these dogs piss all over this stretch of land - which is why the "grass" looks horrific and will never grow in. It's worse in the winter. The snow mounds are yellow and covered in feces. There is no way I would ever support a single penny of my tax dollars going to a public park for dogs and their lazy owners.
To September 1, 2010 6:49 PM
Anonymous said...
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Just curious, but how do you guys know this is jeff's (prairie pointe president) intention?
I can totally see him doing this, and then using the proceeds from it for the benefit of a select few--namely the board members. Everyone else here at Prairie Pointe would get shafted, and they wouldn't even know what hit them. Nothing is discussed with the residents until it is already done or until it has been approved at the next board meeting. In all the places I have lived, I have never seen a condo board approach matters in as much of a self-serving and hypocritical manner than some of these board members here feel they have the right to do.
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Regarding removing the Park at
16th & Indiana (Prairie Pointe) and making it a parking lot, yes, he is already doing it behind your back. He approached our board at East Side Lofts and they are not in favor of it because it is basically a parking lot scam.
I was told by someone in Prairie Pointe that he has had plans all along and was not showing them to even residents who are each part owner the park. There is something going on there that you should get on right away.
I live in Edison Park on the northside by Brooks Park and we are involved in a huge controversy. There is a local dog group trying to get a dog park installed in our park and there are a majority of park users (dog owners included) who are against a dog park and want their concerns listened to. We have formed a group in opposition to the DFA (dog friendly area) because this particular group has insisted on bullying their way into the park. We collected over 200 signatures on petitions and sent representatives weekly to our alderman's office to complain. So far, it has held them off. After visiting several DFA's in Chicago, many property owners decided this was not something that would increase the value of our park-facility updates and programs would be better. We live in a neighborhood where people have more than ample yard space to group up with neighbors to run their dogs. Our park is very run down and the facilities are in need of updates-yet somehow our alderman found $126,000. to consider installing a DFA (glorified cement slab over existing green space-with chain link fence). One other thing-the dog group plays dirty, they have been bullying the neighborhood by calling for other dog owners to come to Brook's to run their dogs off leash baiting people to call the police, then when enough calls are made because some people have felt threatened, they put out flyers saying the only way to control the off leash problem (and the unnecessary and expensive calls to CPD) is to install a dog park! Yea-these are nice people! If you are going to fight this-it is like fighting city hall-you have to work really hard!! Many people in my neighborhood have dogs and have been to city dog parks and have described them as worse looking than "Gitmo" I guess green space doesn't matter anymore!
My city put a dog park 120 feet from my bedroom window. From spring to fall, I can no longer find enough peace in the daytime to nap. Some days I am pulling my hair out. These dogs bark at me when I stand in my back yard, while owners are reading newspaper. Barking is not just any noise. It is a special form of noise pollution (that's why most cities have a special ordinance against barking/howling dogs. There is a quiet hour here and there, but most of the day, barking is almost continuous, with as many as 15 or more dogs going at it. I was never notified of the city's plans to build the dog park, and was suprised when I saw people building it. To my astonished inquiries, they respond..."oh no, the dogs won't bark". 8 years later I'm sick of it, as are other neighbors to the park. All the city has done for me is place "no excessive barking signs" in the park, but the dogs can't read, and most of the owners don't care. Let me know where you live so I can bring my two dogs by to bark at your backyard.
I understand everyone's issues with noise and clean-up. I am in favor of a robust dog park built at this proposed location because I believe there are not enough dog parks. First, let me clarify what I am talking about in regards to a dog park, not some cement slab that is an eye sore but a state of the art area with grass that does not become an eye sore. I agree some of these dog parks are eye sores.
Second, there are not enough dog parks because I believe people equate open green space to dog parks. What happens is bad dog owners allow their dogs to go any where which leads to health issues. A dedicated DFA would be benefical to the community and dog owners.
Lastly, dog owners and non-dog owners can co-exist. If you look at the new designs of this park you see enclosed stage at cost of 4 million for the park. If you are complaining about noise imagine concerts going on there. And if there is not a dog park there, do you think dog owners still won't go there?
Chicago is a world class city and prides itself on open green spaces for all. I imagine young families and dog owners alike will appreciate a park with a large DFA.
The HOMEOWNERS at 1720 South Michigan
are rude and think they are entitled to everything which includes the dog park but will do nothing to support the park.
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