Improvements Underway At Messenger Marsh Dog Park

HOMER GLEN, IL — Improvements at Messenger Marsh Dog Park in Homer Glen are underway this week. According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, the dog park is being reconfigured to provide more open space for the dogs.

The preserve said one dog enclosure will remain open throughout the process and both large and small dogs will be permitted to use that area until the project has been completed.

On Tuesday, the dog park's two large dog enclosures will be closed for fence removal and installation. The small dog enclosure will be open for both large and small dogs, according to the preserve. The large dog enclosure will also remain closed on Wednesday, and work should be finished by Thursday.

The preserve said the rest of Messenger Marsh Preserve and its trails will not be affected.

The reconfiguration of the dog park includes the removal of invasive species that had limited the space available for dogs to play. Some of these invasive species had stickers or thorns, according to the preserve.

By removing the invasive species and pushing the tall grass back, the turf will also be able to dry more quickly, leading to less mud and erosion. When the project is completed, the dog park will also be easier to mow and maintain, the preserve said.

In addition, this project includes the restoration of a retention area and drainage system that collects and transports water from the preserve and dog park area into Spring Creek.