Feedback Sought on New Lake Co. Dog Exercise Area

Submitted by the Lake County Forest Preserves:

Canines from Lake County and beyond will soon have another outdoor dog park where they can exercise, play and socialize off-leash.

The Lake County Forest Preserves is seeking public input on development of a new 40-acre off-leash Dog Exercise Area in northeast Lake County at Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve.

Forest Preserve planners are gathering ideas from the public on possible design features and amenities for the new dog park. To engage in the design process and to share your ideas, visit the Lake County Forest Preserve Idea Exchange website and complete a short survey by September 22, 2014. Suggestions will be considered for inclusion in the proposed dog park design.

Located within the larger Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve, the entrance to the new dog park will be at the northeast corner of Delany and Yorkhouse Roads in Waukegan. Tentative plans for the new dog park include a gravel loop trail, mowed-grass trails, a separate enclosed area for smaller dogs to use, an 80-car parking lot, toilets and drinking water for dogs and people. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2015. Completion is expected in late fall 2016. The dog park is the first phase to be implemented in the Conceptual Master Planfor Waukegan Savanna.

Four uniquely different and highly popular off-leash dog parks are currently available in forest preserves in Wauconda, Lindenhurst, Lake Forest and Libertyville. An annual or daily permit and a dog are required for entry.

For questions regarding the survey, call or email Susan Hall at 847-968-3270,shall@LCFPD.org.