A quick update, and a request for help

A DFA committee was organized last winter, in consultation with the Alderman's office, in order to organize support for the proposed dog park and to provide input into the park design. We plan to serve as the CPD-mandated ‘DFA committee' once the dog park is built.

As you may know, the configuration and design of the 16th & Wabash park is not finalized. Another public meeting is planned, but not yet scheduled. The project was delayed while the funding was secured, the land transferred, and there has also been a change of personnel at the Chicago Park District. The new Project Manager for the 16th & Wabash park is still getting up to speed, and we hope to be meeting with him in the next week along with representatives of the Alderman’s office. Immediately after that meeting we will be scheduling a meeting of our committee in order to provide an update to you, the community.

There are many ways you can get more involved and help with the quest to have a fantastic Dog Friendly Area (DFA) as a major part of this new park, including signing petitions and writing letters to the Chicago Park District and Alderman Fioretti's office, and just spreading the word on the street and through social media.

However, to coordinate this effort we also need to get more people involved with the activities of the DFA committee, right away!!

We particularly need people who are willing to commit some time, and who can bring one or all of the following skills to the table:

• Talking to people on the street, distributing flyers
• Maintaining the website and social media
• Writing petitions and letters
• Meeting with politicians and their representatives.

Right now, all of these tasks are being handled by only a few people. The dog park at 16th & Wabash is too important; the more we get directly involved in our committee’s efforts, the better. So we ask that if you might be able to make even a small commitment, please send an email to dogpark1625@gmail.com, and let us know how you want to get more involved.

In the meantime –

• Please sign our petitions 
• Follow this blog
• Like our Facebook page 
• Comment online

And, tell your friends and neighbors that only with a strong effort from the community will the large dog friendly area that we all support become a reality!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Information about Acadia dribbles in...

Recently there's been some press about the new Acadia restaurant that's scheduled for a December opening in the building south of the 16th & Wabash park. Acadia looks to be a fine restaurant! But these quotes are particularly interesting in light of the lack of communication about the park in recent months -

From Eater:

"...four large windows will look out on a 1.2-acre park, which the city will soon renovate to feature pedestrian space, a dog run and a bandshell for live music."

From GrubStreet:

"Acadia will have one of the few views in town that will actually be more green space than Yellow Cab. (Yes, there will be patio seating in the summer.)"

 Sloopin has a post as well.

Sign Our Petitions!

Please click the buttons below to sign our petitions in support of a large dog friendly area at the proposed 16th & Wabash Fred Anderson Park! 

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The Proposed Fred Anderson Park is located between 16th and 18th Streets on Wabash Avenue in the South Loop. As the design for the park develops, the dog friendly area (DFA) is shrinking while the Park District allocates space to a gathering plaza and a covered performance stage. We have enough people parks! Let the people with furry ones have their space! Join us in giving a voice to those of us with four-legged friends and petition for 75% of the park be a dog friendly area!

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Make the proposed Fred Anderson/ CPD “Park No. 561” (on the East side of Wabash between 16th and 18th Streets), ENTIRELY dog friendly utilizing natural grass and trees. This dilapidated land, originally acquired for that purpose, has been shrinking with subsequent renderings. The South Loop’s large and ever-growing number of dog owners, have very few suitable areas to exercise and interact with their pets and neighbors. Appealing dog parks build community, improve neighborhoods, and increase property values. Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs) may be enjoyed by everyone. 

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