Ban On Pets at Rosewood Beach Irks Dog Owners

Dogs are no longer allowed on the pathway at Rosewood Beach and owners are not happy about it.

The Park District of Highland Park board amended the district’s animal and pet conduct ordinance recently to limit dogs and other domesticated animals to the upper park, the Highland Park News reports. New regulations from the Illinois Department of Public Health now includes prohibition on dogs at public bathing beaches also extends to the boardwalk and other facilities at Rosewood Beach.

But pet owners have become accustomed to walking their dogs on the pathway - which is now considered a part of the beach. Some attended a recent meeting declaring the ban on pets makes no sense.

“Dogs that are on leash, and picked up after, do not reduce the sanitation on the boardwalk,” said Laura Saret. “If cleanliness is the issue, then we should figure out how to ban birds, coyotes, deer and other animals who will use the beach and not even stay on the boardwalk.”

“We should also ban children in diapers from the water and not allow parents to change their child’s diaper on the beach. Of course, this sounds ridiculous, but so is the new restriction.”

more via the Highland Park News