Park District Considers Dog Park Options

A big no to using Willow Park as a new location for a proposed dog park, was expressed heavily at the July 12 Arlington Heights Park District board meeting. 

However, tonight, the Park District will discuss three options for the proposed dog park. 

At the July 12 park district meeting, staff was directed to research to the site just outside of Arlington Heights, adjacent to Lake Arlington, Melas Park and Nickol Knoll. 

Brian Huckstadt, director of parks and planning,  said staff will research the costs and approvals involved with the three locations and will be presented at the park district board meeting tonight. 

Huckstadt presented six locations that the proposed dog park could be located at the last district board meeting, including Nickol Knoll, Melas Park, Willow Park, Sunset Meadows, Kingsbridge Arboretum and site outside of Arlington Heights, near Wheeling and adjacent to Lake Arlington. 

After the July 12 presentation, the board reached consensus on eliminating Willow Park, Kingsbridge Arboretum and Sunset Meadows for consideration.  

During the citizens to be heard agenda item, opponents of using Willow Park as a dog park said the open-space park is utilized by many individuals, such as playing soccer, walking and just a general release to enjoy the park's scenery.

The board received 94-signed petitions against Willow Park as a location for a dog park.  

Myles Naughton, vice-president of the board, told critics of the Willow Park location, that the board is not going down that path of using Willow Park as a potential spot for the dog park.  

Melody Woodsum, an Arlington Heights resident, said she's not opposed to a dog park but just now at Willow Park. "Soccer fields are a big issue in the village, that would be a shame if they took it away," Woodsum said. 

Woodsum said dog owners could use private businesses for their dogs, suggesting that their dogs could socialize with other dogs. Woodsum also raised concerns about people possibly running a commercial business at the proposed dog park. "How many dogs can you bring," she said

The board did not discuss policies or cost associated with the dog park.

However, Huckstadt, said the board would determine the rules and policies before the dog park would be developed.