Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks

Dogs in Oak Park Site Master Plan Development
In the recently completed parks & recreation comprehensive plan, a standard was identified for dog parks in our community which states that Oak Park should have one or two dog parks. The Park District has started to identify potential sites, with the help of consultants, where permanent dog park(s) could be located in Oak Park. An initial community meeting was held on February 8, 2006 to collect input on possible locations through discussion and review of site criteria and considerations, a PowerPoint presentation reviewing Oak Park sites to be considered, and a survey. (Community Meeting #1 minutes)

A second community meeting was held Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 7pm at Field Center, 935 Woodbine to present four sites under consideration: Ridgeland Common, Stevenson Center Park, Taylor Park and Maple Park (view PowerPoint presentation). A survey was made available as well. (Community Meeting #2 minutes)

On March 14, 2006 a focus group was held with representatives from the Park District, Village of Oak Park and schools to collect further information on the current sites being considered for permanent dog parks. (Focus Group Meeting minutes)

Neighborhood meetings were held to discuss each site under consideration.

The first neighborhood meeting was held at Carroll Center, 1125 S. Kenilworth, on Monday, April 3, 2006 at 7pm to discuss a possible dog park at Maple Park. (Maple Park neighborhood meeting minutes) Due to technical difficulties, this PowerPoint presentation could not be shown.

The second neighborhood meeting was held at Stevenson Center, 49 Lake Street, on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 7pm, to discuss a possible dog park at Stevenson Park. (Stevenson Park neighborhood meeting minutes) This PowerPoint presentation was shown at this meeting.

A third neighborhood meeting was held Monday, April 10, 2006 at 7pm at Field Center, 935 Woodbine, to discuss a possible dog park at Taylor Park. (Taylor Park neighborhood meeting minutes) This PowerPoint presentation was shown at this meeting.

A fourth neighborhood meeting was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 7pm at Ridgeland Common, 415 Lake Street, to discuss a possible dog park at Ridgeland Common. (Ridgeland Common neighborhood meeting minutes). This PowerPoint presentation was shown at this meeting.

A third community meeting took place on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at 7pm at Stevenson Center, 49 Lake Street, to present an update on the planning process and present final recommendations.(Community Meeting #3 minutes) This PowerPoint presentation was shown at this meeting.

Recommendations for a Dogs in Oak Park Plan were presented by Consultant John Mac Manus from Altamanu, Inc. at the Park Board Committee of the Whole Meeting on Thursday, May 4, 2006 at 7:30pm at the Oak Park Conservatory. The Park Board acknowledged these recommendations from Altamanu, Inc, and accepted the recommendations with revisions. The following recommendations were accepted at the regular Park Board Meeting held Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 7:30pm at the Administrative Center, 218 Madison.

It is recommended that:
1. The Park District establish a task force to work with the Cook County Forest Preserve District to establish a regional dog park.

2. The existing dog park at Ridgeland Common be retained.

3. The site at Stevenson Park be considered as an alternative dog park if the Ridgeland Common dog park cannot be maintained after completion of the Park District's master planning process.

4. Taylor Park be evaluated as a part of the Park District's master planning process as a potential site for a permanent dog park.

5. The Park District investigate the possibility of purchasing the privately owned land near the north intersection of Garfield Street near the intersection of Home [Avenue].

6. The Park District establish a temporary dog park in Maple Park and determine as a part of the Park District's master planning process whether that dog park should be made permanent.

Current Dogs in Oak Park Plan Update - May 24, 2006
Park Board President David Kindler has contacted Cook County Board Commissioner Peter Silvestri and representatives from the Park District of Forest Park and River Forest Park District.

There are no funds currently available to develop a temporary dog park at Maple Park. As funds become available in 2006 or in the 2007 budget, the Park District will develop this temporary facility.

Currently a temporary dog park is open at Ridgeland Common, 415 Lake Street. Entrance to this park, for Oak Park residents only, requires a Park District permit.

Current Dogs in Oak Park Plan Update - December 19, 2007
After a 5-month long planning process, a site plan for Maple Park was accepted by the Park Board of Commissioners on November 15, 2007. This plan includes a permanent dog park in Maple Park.

A site plan for Taylor Park is slated to be developed beginning in March 2008.

The Park District of Oak Park values public input and feedback. To provide input or for further information, please contact Diane Stanke at (708) 725-2022 or dianes@oakparkparks.com.

Dogs in Oak Park Site Plan Project Schedule

February 8, 2006 7pm, Field Center, 935 Woodbine
Community Meeting to collect community input

March 8, 2006 7pm, Field Center, 935 Woodbine
Community Meeting to present four site considerations

March 14, 2006 10am, Administration Center, 218 Madison
Focus Group to collect further input on four site considerations

April 3, 2006 7pm, Carroll Center, 1125 S. Kenilworth
Maple Park Neighborhood Meeting

April 4, 2006 Stevenson Center, 49 W. Lake Street
Stevenson Park Neighborhood Meeting

April 10, 2006 7pm, Field Center, 935 Woodbine
Taylor Park Neighborhood Meeting

April 12, 2006 7pm, Ridgeland Common, 415 W. Lake Street
Ridgeland Common Park Neighborhood Meeting

May 3, 2006 7pm, Stevenson Center, 49 Lake Street
Community Meeting to present site recommendations

May 4, 2006 7:30pm, Oak Park Conservatory 615 Garfield
Park Board Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss dog park site recommendations

May 18, 2006 7:30pm, Administrative Center, 218 Madison
Park Board Meeting to consider action on site recommendations