Important
Information:
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The Park District of Oak Park’s Dog Park and Dog Park Plus, located in Ridgeland Common Park, (see hours below), offers Oak Park dog owners the opportunity to bring their dogs to an open space and allow them to exercise off-leash, provided a permit is purchased in advance from the Park District of Oak Park. The permits, obtainable only by Oak Park residents, are available for purchase IN-PERSON ONLY at Ridgeland Common, located at 415 W. Lake Street in Oak Park, between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, or from 9am-Noon on Saturdays.

Dedicated Dog Park

The Dog Park is a dedicated dog off-leash area located in the southeast corner of Ridgeland Common Park, in an area that covers approximately 8,700 square feet. The scheduled open hours for the Dog Park will be from sunrise to sunset, daily.

Dog Park Plus

The Dog Park Plus is the fenced-in area of Ridgeland Common that also encompasses the two ballfields and the sled and ski hill. This area is a non-simultaneous mixed-use fenced dog park and is open select hours only. From November 1 through March 31, the Dog Park Plus will be open Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from 7:00 am until 9:00 am. From April 1 through October 31, the Dog Park Plus will be open Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from 6:00 am until 8:00 am. These hours are subject to change.

How To Obtain a Permit

Current permit holders may renew their permit beginning Monday, March 24, 2008. New permit applications will be accepted beginning Monday, April 21, 2008. To obtain a permit, dog owners must apply in-person at Ridgeland Common between 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday or between 9:00am and noon on Saturdays. Owners must provide a valid village dog license number, and proof of current vaccinations for rabies, distemper, kennel cough/bordetella, para-influenza and parvovirus, as well as proof of a fecal test for internal parasites. The cost for a permit is $39 for the first dog registered, and $5 for each additional dog thereafter, with a limit of three dogs per household (in keeping with Village restrictions on dog ownership). Permits are valid for one year from May 1 to April 30. Dog owners not complying will be subject to fines of up to $1,000. Periodic monitoring and surveillance will be conducted by the Village of Oak Park Animal Control Officer and the Village of Oak Park Police.

Please note that this is a temporary solution. The Park District of Oak Park has established a Dogs in Oak Park Plan. If you have questions regarding this plan, please contact Diane Stanke at dianes@oakparkparks.com