Bring your Pup to a Party During Nature Foundation’s ‘Yappy Hour’

The Nature Foundation of Will County will host a “Yappy Hour” fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 8, to help pay for improvements to Hammel Woods in Shorewood.

The event is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. near the preserve's dog park, which is located at the DuPage River Access on Black Road, west of Interstate 55. Attendees can bring their leashed dogs to the puppy party. Tickets are $25 per person (dogs are free) and they must be purchased in advance at willcountynature.org.

The foundation – which is the nonprofit, fundraising foundation for the Forest Preserve District of Will County – is raising money for a dog park shade structure and a preserve drinking fountain. The shade structure will be built inside a new 2.3-acre small-dog enclosure that the District is creating next to the existing 8.5-acre dog park. And the drinking fountain will be installed in the preserve for use by campground and trail users as well as dog park visitors and their pups. "Yappy Hour" is the kickoff for the foundation's Hammel Woods fundraising campaign. The foundation's goal is to raise $20,000.

The event will feature food, open bar (beer, wine, pop and water), giveaways, raffles and free entry into the dog park (limit three dogs). Music will be provided by Kent Arnsbarger, steel drum percussionist. Seating will be limited, so attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to the event. The dog park will remain open to permit holders during the event.

"The Forest Preserve greatly appreciates the energy and effort driving the foundation's fundraising work," said Ralph Schultz, the District's chief operating officer. "Based on their past activities, we expect 'Yappy Hour' will be a fun and successful event that results in benefits for all our Hammel Woods visitors."

The preserve improvement project is scheduled to begin in September and conclude in July 2018, but the timeline could be affected by weather and other factors.

General parking for "Yappy Hour" will be located at Crumby Recreation Area on Black Road, west of the dog park. Accessible parking will be available at the dog park. For more information on Forest Preserve District of Will County programs and events, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.