Welcome to the blog -- you'll find information here about the proposed dog park at 16th Street and Wabash in the South Loop. We are starting this blog so the community has a space to discuss the plans and to give the Dog Friendly Area (DFA) Committee a voice.(Hat tip: SC!)
Did you know that as the design of the park progresses, the DFA area has been shrinking? The park is supposed to be a dog park, an area where we can interact as dog owners and build a community. The new plans have the DFA area shunted to the side in favor of a performance stage and a meeting plaza.
This is a call to action! If you care about keeping preserving the park as a DFA please subscribe to us and voice your opinion here and on Facebook and Twitter. Those accounts will be linked to this blog as soon as we set them up.
We are fired up, we are ready to fight for the space for our dogs -- JOIN US!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Blog Advocates for Dogs at Planned 16th & Wabash Park
A reader shares a new blog 16th Wabash Dog Park:
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44 comments:
I do not support dog part, instead i would support a family park where parents can spend time with their children. There is a huge space available for dogs at 16th and Indiana.
Dear Dog Owners:
Take your animals out of your shoebox-sized condo and move to the suburbs! If you are so concerned about having space for your dogs to run, get a yard!
Regards,
Reality
No dog park please! 16 and Indiana is the place for dogs.
the entire south loops already seems to be a dog park (DFA)..a dedicated dog park is not going to deter people from letting their dogs pee and poop all over the small patches of grass the line the south loop roads. maybe have a call to action and organize lazy dog owners to help me pay for and plant sod each year.
A park that size 100% SHOULD BE MORE FOCUSED FOR PEOPLE NOT PETS!!!!
Learn to pick up your dog's poop, then we can look at getting them a park.....after they pay their taxes....
Sorry i guess i am gonna have to defend my 4 legged friends. Currently I have to take my pooch to the west loop for him to get some exercise. All these people complaining that it should be a people park are selfish. You have Grant Park steps from your home, and apparently that is not enough. All the people saying move to the suburbs, why do you need a dog park in the burbs if you have a back yard to let your dog run. Lastly all those people saying dogs need to pay their taxes, let me tell you, he may not pay taxes, but he did pay for a dog license.
No dogs. Residents for a land-mine free zone!
The 16th and Indiana "dog park" is VERY small. The grassy area says no dogs allowed. Where is this huge area you mention?
-responsible dog owner who picks up after his dog
Good morning! Wow, lots of anonymous dog haters on line today!
First, it would be good to get your facts straight with regard to the existence, location and density of people parks and dog parks in the South Loop. Have a look at the third slide from my presentation to see all of the choices available for people and their children, versus people and their dogs:
http://southloopdogpac.org/2011/06/fred-anderson-park-development-plans/
The land at 16th and Indiana is slated to become a people 'park plaza', check blogs about a public meeting on this site during the last couple of years... unless you are referring to that tiny triangle of asphalt a developer set aside for dogs on the east end of this land. I'd love to see a Great Dane trying to turn around in there!
Oh yeah, dog poop, it is a problem, and I am on the lookout for those jerks! I always clean up after my dogs, as do the vast majority of dog owners in the South Loop, and I also clean up after 'them'.
And as for taxes, those of us who have dogs, or any of us who do not have children, are paying for yours with our taxes. So you should be pretty happy about that, and should be thanking us.
Let's face it, dog owners and their dogs are out at all hours, making the neighborhood safer. And parks for dogs build community among the friendly, tax paying voters who own them.
It's not just picking up after your dog that is the issue. Some people like to go to a park without a bunch of dogs taking dumps all over the place. Having a dog in the city is asinine.
I laugh at all these people who throw a temper tantrum without even knowing any of the facts.
I support a smaller part of the park being a dog park/run, but as far as the whole park, no.
Instead of flat out opposing any kind of dog friendly area, maybe think about compromise, since that is what life is about, and dogs/dog-owners are "reality".
My condo faces this proposed dog park and I don't even like dogs much, yet I have no problem with this park. What the hell is the problem? There's an absurd amount of people recreational space in the sloop, but no proper area for dogs to exercise...
For anyone complaining about poop, a dog park is what you want considering they'll crap in the dog area of it and not elsewhere...
"It's not just picking up after your dog that is the issue. Some people like to go to a park without a bunch of dogs taking dumps all over the place. Having a dog in the city is asinine."
No it isn't. Human beings have had dogs as companions for thousands of years. If you have such a problem with dogs sh*t, you really would have loved living in the city back in the late 19th early both centuries when horse sh*t was everywhere!
I wish people would fight for Schools, Local Government, and Local Business' as much as some of you fight for a lawn for your dog to poop on.
Scotty-
You failed to make your point.
Look what happened to the horses.
We kicked ‘em out.
Oh yeah those carriages are next.
I bet you drive a Prius.
There is ample running area for dogs at the former site of the Ickes Homes south of Cermack and State...
Really, dog owners should commit themselves to walking a few extra blocks...
Being a user of Cottontail Park, I am constantly on the lookout for land mines and pee-puddles BEFORE the kids accidently find them... unfortunately too often my child presents me with a shoe covered on poop or worse, poop-coated hands.
Unfortunately dog owners are not concerned about their animal’s waste affecting the areas where dozens of kids are playing, and often at the same time! I find it unbelievable that dog owners are so clueless of the fact that their animal is defecating in the same place that a child rolls around on the ground. 90-95% of dog owners do actually attempt to train their dogs to use a specific “safe” area for their dog to relieve themselves and then pick up the mess… it’s the minority of dog owners that ignore this and create the hostility some people feel about dogs.
It’s the dog owners who are creating this negative response to dogs, not the dogs. The responsibility of owning a dog in the city INCLUDES training the animal to defecate in a location that will not affect humans and human children! THIS IS THE MAIN PROBLEM…
I wish people would fight for Schools, Local Government, and Local Business as much as some of you fight about nearly every Sloopin' topic.
Actually Anonymous 11:43 AM (coward) I don't drive at all, I use public transportation. And as far as your point, (if you have one) how's paying nearly $4 a gallon working out?
"I wish people would fight for Schools, Local Government, and Local Business' as much as some of you fight for a lawn for your dog to poop on."
Agree.
Also, the wonderful dog owners who don't pick up after their wonderful dogs will continue this wonderful pattern...even with another "dog park."
Obviously this is a important topic for those affected by the outcome of this decision. That being said, phrases like "This is a call to action!" and "We are fired up and ready to fight" When we are talking about the possibility of a reduced, that's right, reduced,(not removed) dog friendly area, at a really cool, brand new park being built in our neighborhood, well, I just hope it serves as a reminder of how good we all have it. I hope when this "crisis" is over, this person, who has great skills as an organizer, gets involved with something important. Plans change over time...especially in such a growing and diverse neighborhood as ours. Be happy we're getting such an awesome park to begin with.
Dear Turkeys-who-don't-want-a-dog-run-because-you-hate-stepping-on-poop-in-the-existing-parks:
A dog run would *LESSEN* the amount of crap in the grass at the park where your kids play (and because abstract thought seems in short supply here: this would be BECAUSE your neighbors would bring their dogs to the DOG PARK to poop). See how that works?
I don't have any kids and I don't own a dog. However, many of my neighbors in the sloop either have kids or dogs (some have both). My unbiased opinion: I've never had to ask my neighbors with kids to pick up their kids' feces from my yard (I have had to ask MANY dog owners to do so). Further, while I may hear a crying baby late at night from time-to-time, my neighbors have yet to put their crying baby out on their porch to cry out unattended all night long. On the other hand, I have endured many sleepless nights due to careless dog owners putting out their dog all night long, letting Fido howl at the top of his lungs all night long.
Lastly, anyone who would chose to have their condo overlook a dog park rather than a pedestrian park is NUTS!
Holy off topic Batman! Does anybody have anything constructive to add? There are a TON of dog owners in the sloop, so I get the benefit of a large, dedicated dog park. But there are a TON of people with kids too, or both. What is wrong with a mixed use park? This seems like a good compromise, why am I wrong?
Plenty of room for dogs to run over here (http://www.sloopin.com/search?q=tom+ping+park)
Well said Broomy. I think there is nothing wrong with wanting to create a mixed use park. If there is a designated dog area, then families can still feel safe visiting there. People who have children and not dogs are annoyed by dogs, but people with dogs instead of children may find kids pretty annoying too.
Using the following wide open spaces is the best solution for dog owners...
southwest of Cermack & State
southwest of Wells & Harrison
southwest of Clark & Roosevelt
South Grant Park (north of Roosevelt & Indiana)
18th & Indiana
Chinatown
South Loop Alleys
the entire shore of Lake Michigan
I would like to have 1/2 of the dog park reallocated to cats. They currently have no park at all. I would also like cats to pay taxes so I can send my pet duck to school. He can't read and it breaks my heart.
Thanks.
As a dog owner who picks up after his dog and does not allow his dog to pee on buildings, bus stops and other items to make for a disgusting site for everyone.
I am also a property owner close to the proposed park. I am for a mostly pedestrian park. For one reason and one reason alone. Property Value! A pedestrian park is much more attractive than a dog park. Lets face it dog owners this park will become a browned, ugly and smelly piece of land if its a dog park.
Pam,
regarding the Park at 16th & Indiana slated to become a 'people plaza', that is a bit of a stretch in truthfulness.
Living in 1550 Indiana, we are all familiar with the parking lot that others are illegally trying to put there. Our ground floor commercial tenant, Rich Simon, who happens to be a contractor a McCormick Place as well, is working with the GSLA to steal the park away from the neighboring residents, despite legal zoning requirements put in place to prevent this land grab.
Don't believe the lies about a parking lot being allowed, or the park district not wanting it. That is all a facade being put on buy others looking to cash in on this opportunity.
Dogs are for people with social deficiencies, dolts and/or destitute. No more dog parks. How about open, usable green space for humans?
Or the next Burger Point franchise location.
I have neither dogs nor children but will be aiming to have kids in the next year or two and no dogs for at least 5 years, if ever. I'm all for the dog park. Plenty of places to take kids. Let the dog folks have somewhere to let their dogs run for crying out loud.
The rabid anti-dog crowd here cracks me up (pun intended). Much more important stuff going on than getting your panties in a tizzy over a little plot of land. Freaking white people's problems.
I will try to avoid the ill-informed or subjective opinions of many of the commentators in this forum.
First, I am a dog owner (a responsible one at that) and I am for a dedicated space within this park for dogs. Yes, it is true there are other DFAs around the SLoop, however when compared to non-DFA parks, the amount is very small.
Second, any enhanced park space in the SLoop will help with the growth of area. This is not about defending the right of dog owners or non-dog owners. At the end of the day we all pay taxes and everyone deserves to have their opinions represented. For example, maybe you shouldn't let your child roll around in city parks, if you want to raise a family, move to the burbs!! (see how assine that argument is when you say if you own a dog, you should move to the burbs)
Last point, when you attack dogn owners or non-dog owners this is not constructive. What gets me about this park proposal the construction of a stage that will be rarely used that has increased the cost of the park by 1 million. But all I see in this forum is bashing about dog owners. I would rather take that one million and enhance an already people park to provide families with a better place to hang out and use the rest of the money on the DFA.
I like to see dogs in the sloop because it makes the streets safer at night with all the dog walkers out and about. I don't have a dog but I think new parks can be designed for both humans and dogs. We could all make an effort to encourage the pooper slackers to clean up.
Dog Park eliviates alot of the issues that are being spewed by dog Haters on this thread.
Some people just need to cry and moan every chance they get I suppose.
Tom and others, thanks for your comments. Dog parks really do not alleviate the dog poop problem. It's not like people can command their dogs to hold back poop and whizzz until they get them to the park. It just means the mess might be more concentrated on the roads leading to the park the park.
Those claiming human parks are so better off in the area are missing the point...most want dog parks, but how about we first complete the many neighborhood parks that are not complete, not started, or are being given away with no residential taxpayer input. The parks are so substandard, that we all should be more outraged that parks already approved or planned are purposely being held up by the Alderman Dowell and Alderman Fioretti for who knows what political bs reasons. This money is not the Aldermans, this is your tax $$ and mine.
I have read here that the $1MM is the drop in the bucket compared to what had to be spent to buy the land.
anon @ 12:17 a.m.
Would you mind citing sources or any other research that went into your thoughts on the behavioral patterns of canines in regards to going to the bathroom since it seems you are pretty sure of your information.
thanks in advance!!
anonymous22 makes a good point. When I lived in Florida, There was a good deal of opposition to the dog park that was eventually erected by my house. But, after a few months, the police announced that the dog park had lowered the crime in the area SIGNIFICANTLY. People walking around with dogs and there being an area where people congregate with dogs had dissuaded criminals. The sloop has very few people walking around except to work and back, especially right around where the proposed park is. Adding activity to this spot, particularly with animals that will make criminals think twice, is good for the whole neighborhood.
Additionally, encouraging dog ownership is good for our pocketbooks: http://www.anthrozoology.org/health_cost_savings_the_impact_of_pets_on_the_australian_health_budget
As for the "it's stupid to have dogs in the city" comments, even if the above facts were not true (but they are), many of us moved to the city already owning dogs due to work. Would you rather we be clogging up the highways and creating more traffic problems so your tax money can go to building more roads?
Yes. Please move to the burbs and feel free to clog up the highways all you want.
I'm not anon @ 12:17 a.m. but we've had dogs in our building that haven't even been able to make it out of the building because their owner has left them too long, and then the owner just leaves the mess in the hallway, elevator, etc. That's just gross. Wish someone could come and take pets away from unresponsible owners like that. Point being that dogs could make it to a dog park to go if trained and not neglected all day long.
I'm not anon @ 12:17 a.m. but we've had dogs in our building that haven't even been able to make it out of the building because their owner has left them too long, and then the owner just leaves the mess in the hallway, elevator, etc. That's just gross. Wish someone could come and take pets away from unresponsible owners like that. Point being that dogs could make it to a dog park to go if trained and not neglected all day long.
I support the propsed dog park. I don't even own a dog but get a lot of enjoyment from seeing all the pets out an about in the SL. I find that most dog owners are responsible and suffer for the negligence of a few. I don't even know what to say about all the dog haters who've posted here.
If its not dogs its stop lights. If its not stop lights its the Scout. If its no the Scout its chicken bones. If its not chiken bones its Dearborn park II.
People please beware of the Nimby's and ignore them all. Soon you will find your blogging experience to be much more enjoyable. Let me ask you this...If a sad soul is whining and bitching per usual, but nobody is there to read their post and respond.....did they bitch at all?
There are a lot of good comments here. The issue is one of allocating recreational resources among members of the community, and, while dog owners comprise, perhaps, 20-25% of the South Loop community, the amount of recreational space that they and their dogs can avail themselves of (legally) is remarkably limited. The sticking point is this: dog owners expect a ‘dog park’ to be a place where they can play and exercise with their dog – ball playing, exploring, frisbee catching, socializing, and so on. Unfortunately, much of the non-dog owning community and, apparently, the Chicago Park District see a ‘dog park’ simply as a place to segregate dogs so that they can poo. That this is considered appropriate social policy is unfortunate, and really only makes sense to the ‘haters’. An argument for ‘mulituse’ does seem compelling – there should be places for kids, for ball playing, for contemplation, for walking, for running – but recreational resources can’t just be jammed together on one lot and deemed to ‘work’. Creating a patch of asphalt and calling it a ‘dog park’ is like placing four bases on a basketball half-court and exalting the creation of a new baseball field, or putting a couple of kiddie-pools in a parking lot and calling it a natatorium. There are standards for ball fields and swimming pools. These are, generally, adhered to in Chicago. And, yes, there are also national standards and expectations for recreational dog parks. These are generally ignored. The evaluation of recreational resources has to be contextualized within the aggregate of opportunities available within a neighborhood. There are a lot of parks in the South Loop. The dog-friendly community is going to have to fight to see that its needs are respected as much as are the needs of its neighbors and friends.
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