Bark Park - Waggin Trails - Wiggly Field ????

     Helping to coordinate the event is Jill Novak, working as an intern for the district. She is a student at Illinois State University, majoring in Recreation Administration, and a 2004 graduate of Community High School. “This is a great way to showcase our unique facility,” she said.

     Dog owners also have the opportunity to showcase their pet in the Pooch Parade. Categories for judging include social butterfly, best hair, cutest face and loudest bark, which is guaranteed to be a cacophony of “musical” yaps. Judges are members of the District Dog Park Advisory Committee.

     Through a brief dog obedience demonstration by Sandy Davis, dog owners receive helpful hints for over excessive barking or other acts of misbehavior. Along the same lines is a dog training demonstration. Dog owners know the difference. Persons leaning toward becoming “owned” by a dog can look at some puppies available for adoption from 4 Paws 4 U 4 Ever located in West Chicago. Burl Ives probably summed this concept of adoption in his recording of the song, “I Found My Best Friend in the Dog Pound.”

     Whether a dog is adopted from a shelter or purchased from a breeder, it needs a name. The park district felt the dog park needed an identity. Thus the highlight of the event is the ceremony of unveiling of the new name. Superintendent of Recreation Leslie DeMoss said, “We asked students from the elementary schools to submit names. Staff narrowed the 300 suggestions down to 15.Then the advisory Committee selected the winner,” he explained. It is hoped the winner, a kindergarten student, is able to participate in the ceremony, said DeMoss.

     Other activities include raffles for gift certificates and a 50/50 raffle. “The proceeds from these go toward improvements and updates at the dog park,” explained Novak. Of course, no event is complete without food. The high school Key Club is selling soda and candy. Keeping with the sweet theme of foods, guests have the opportunity to decorate bone-shaped cookies.

    The almost two-acre park provides a place for dogs to play and enjoy the freedom of outdoors in a fully, fenced secured area. Owners can find comfort at picnic tables and seating areas throughout the park, which is open from sunrise to sunset year round. Other amenities are a self-serve dog wash area and convenient parking.

     The advisory board has helped institute changes and improvements such as color-coding of posts, adding a dog adjustment area, installing a display case, creating a brochure and having collars to identify dogs, whose owners have purchased permits explained DeMoss.

     To register for a permit, dog owners must bring paperwork regarding current information of rabies inoculations. The charge for permits is $36 for residents, $48 for non-residents and $24 for VIP. For further information, call Novak at 630 231-9474.

West Chicago Park District
157 West Washington Street
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 231-9474 - Office
(630) 231-2352 - Fax
info@we-goparks.org