Will County Forest Preserve Reopens Dog Parks

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County has reopened its dog parks as of June 8. According to a release from the preserve, the dog parks were closed in March when the stay-at-home orders began in Illinois.

The preserve said it was concerned that dog park gate handles, waste bag dispensers and other surfaces could have been virus transmission points. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised warnings and new guidance indicates the virus is mostly transmissible through respiratory droplets from person-to-person contact.

“Based on changing CDC recommendations along with our observations that people are social distancing in the preserves, we feel it is appropriate to reopen the dog parks at this time,” said Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve’s chief operating officer. "We would like to thank all preserve patrons for their patience and understanding during this difficult and unpredictable time."

There are forest preserve dog parks in Crete Township, Homer Glen, Joliet, Naperville, Shorewood and Wesley Township.

The preserve said all dog park patrons must have current 2020 dog park permits, and all permit holders must have current lanyards on display while visiting the dog parks. Those who purchased 2020 dog park permits prior to March 21 will receive a 25 percent discount on 2021 passes to make up for the time the dog parks were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are still health guidelines in place for dog park use, including: do not come to the dog park if you or your dog are sick, avoid touching common items in the dog park like water bowls, limit pet items brought to the dog park, and clean and disinfect anything taken to the park and returned home like leashes or toys.