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To keep up to date, please follow us on Facebook @FredAnderson Dog Park (and follow our sister organization, the South Loop Dog Park Action Cooperative (SLDogPAC)), and be sure to follow the South Loop Dog PAC blog for up-to-date information, analysis and updates!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Friday, August 16, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Proposed Fred Anderson Park - an update!
We've gotten an update about the design of Fred Anderson Park from Michael Lange, the project manager at the Chicago Park District.
The design drawings are almost complete, and we are privileged to be able share the latest with you. The overall design is very similar to what we've presented previously. But as they say, the devil is in the details! Here are some highlights:
We have raised one issue with the CPD: According to current plans the dog park will be surrounded by a 6' high 'Omega' fence. This is the type of fencing used at the Bartelme Park DFA. We think that a fence this high in a park this small will create the feeling of being in a cage or a prison, and have suggested that the fence height be 5' - still a substantial barrier. It's important to us to maintain a relationship between the dog owners in the DFA and the non-dog owning community that may be on the surrounding path or in adjacent park areas.
The board of the South Loop Dog PAC has been in ongoing communication with the CPD about this park since March of 2010. We thank Michael Lange for being willing to listen to us and to incorporate ideas from our dog-friendly perspective. We have to admit - it's pretty gratifying to see many of our suggestions now implemented. We hope that this experience bodes well for future collaboration between the dog community and the CPD as new Chicago dog parks are designed and built.
As an aside, we'll also be updating you soon about two other dog friendly area projects in the South Loop that we're involved with:
The design drawings are almost complete, and we are privileged to be able share the latest with you. The overall design is very similar to what we've presented previously. But as they say, the devil is in the details! Here are some highlights:
- The small dog area has been expanded a bit. Good news for all the 'small fluffies' in the neighborhood! (a.)
- There is now one entrance gate, at the southwest corner, shared between the small- and large-dog parks. (b.)
- A bulletin board will be installed at the entrance area. (c.)
- There will be mounting posts for informational signs at the overlook in the center of the park. South Loop Dog PAC will be assembling material to post there in order to educate kids about dogs and about how to approach them. (d.)
- An expanded area is now to be covered by dog-friendly artificial grass! This is great news for fetch-driven dogs that might want to play here. The perimeter of the park remains concrete. (e.)
- There will be an access gate at the east of the park for maintenance, and a second double entry to the dog area. (f.)
- A space has been designed for a lockbox to store park maintenance materials. (g.)
- Shade sails will be place throughout the park (light blue triangles in the picture above), including over the performance stage! There will be benches and tables distributed throughout. (h.)
- In order to unify the whole area, even the sidewalk along S. Wabash will be integrated as part of the design into the rest of the park. (i.)
- The water runnels have been reconfigured somewhat; there will be two separate features, one in the small dog area, and one in the large dog area. (j.)
We have raised one issue with the CPD: According to current plans the dog park will be surrounded by a 6' high 'Omega' fence. This is the type of fencing used at the Bartelme Park DFA. We think that a fence this high in a park this small will create the feeling of being in a cage or a prison, and have suggested that the fence height be 5' - still a substantial barrier. It's important to us to maintain a relationship between the dog owners in the DFA and the non-dog owning community that may be on the surrounding path or in adjacent park areas.
The board of the South Loop Dog PAC has been in ongoing communication with the CPD about this park since March of 2010. We thank Michael Lange for being willing to listen to us and to incorporate ideas from our dog-friendly perspective. We have to admit - it's pretty gratifying to see many of our suggestions now implemented. We hope that this experience bodes well for future collaboration between the dog community and the CPD as new Chicago dog parks are designed and built.
As an aside, we'll also be updating you soon about two other dog friendly area projects in the South Loop that we're involved with:
- d'Angelo Park DFA - The story of our efforts to remediate problems introduced from the beginning by the design of this ersatz dog park.
- Coliseum Park Dog Run - An update on plans for improvements of the playground and DFA that were recently announced. SLDogPAC will be meeting with CPD representatives next week.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Looking good!
There's some good news about the development of Fred Anderson Park and DFA! Watch for an update from South Loop Dog PAC later this week.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Final Fred Anderson Park Community meeting scheduled!
Save the date!
The final Chicago Park District presentation of their plans for the Fred Anderson Park and DFA at 16th & Wabash has been scheduled for Tuesday November 20th.
This will be an important meeting. It will be your chance to learn about and comment on the final plans for the new DFA, which will begin construction in 2013.
UPDATE: The meeting is scheduled for 6pm, Tuesday, November 20th, in the Community Room at the 1st District Police Station, 1718 S. State.
The final Chicago Park District presentation of their plans for the Fred Anderson Park and DFA at 16th & Wabash has been scheduled for Tuesday November 20th.
This will be an important meeting. It will be your chance to learn about and comment on the final plans for the new DFA, which will begin construction in 2013.
UPDATE: The meeting is scheduled for 6pm, Tuesday, November 20th, in the Community Room at the 1st District Police Station, 1718 S. State.
Monday, September 17, 2012
News about Fred Anderson Park
On September 4th, the Board of the South Loop Dog PAC met with Michael Lange, Project Manager of the Chicago Park District regarding the new park at 16th and Wabash (Fred Anderson Park), to discuss the planning for the new park and dog-friendly area. Board members Pamela Focia, Doug Freymann, and Gordon Stewart presented a number of ideas that we believe would make the new DFA a state-of-the-art recreational resource for people and their dogs in the South Loop. We outline some highlights here, but Mr. Lange asked that we not release details of the latest plan until the park district presents them at a public meeting.
o The Park District will hold a public meeting to discuss Fred Anderson Park development plans in early October. As soon as the date is released you will be notified.
o As in previous proposals, the current plan includes a small public stage/performance area and a plaza area, in addition to small-dog and large-dog play areas, surrounded by a strolling path.
o We emphasized that providing more than one entry point to the dog park would better serve the community.
o We emphasized that the park surfacing should be a top priority, as coated asphalt is not ‘dog-friendly’. The CPD is considering an artificial, state-of-the-art ‘canine-grass’ surface, which is designed to be and will be built upon a specialized drainage substructure, for easy maintenance.
o We asked that the dog park design be people-friendly as well as dog-friendly in order to promote (people) socialization and community building.
o We asked that the ‘interface’ between the dog areas and outside of them be carefully designed so that educational materials (e.g. ‘how to greet a dog’, ‘what dog breed is that?’, etc.) could be posted to bridge communities, and, particularly, to teach kids about dogs.
o Michael assured us that consideration of maintenance activities is an important element of the design. Service gates that we suggested be added will be large enough to allow equipment access.
o Construction cannot begin until after approvals and bidding are conducted in Spring 2013. The anticipated construction start would be summer 2013 and construction will take several months.
o The proposed DFA will be ‘large for Chicago’, but likely will not be larger than Wiggly Field or Grant Bark park.
We’ve been doing our part to advocate for the best possible dog-park in the South Loop at Fred Anderson Park. But the Board of the South Loop Dog PAC is a small group, and we ask that you, as a member of the South Loop community interested in, and hoping for, a great local dog park, take action, too. Please keep in touch with us, come to our meetings, help us reach out to the public and to the press, and let your Alderman know how you feel.
And watch for announcement of the public meeting in October!
o The Park District will hold a public meeting to discuss Fred Anderson Park development plans in early October. As soon as the date is released you will be notified.
o As in previous proposals, the current plan includes a small public stage/performance area and a plaza area, in addition to small-dog and large-dog play areas, surrounded by a strolling path.
o We emphasized that providing more than one entry point to the dog park would better serve the community.
o We emphasized that the park surfacing should be a top priority, as coated asphalt is not ‘dog-friendly’. The CPD is considering an artificial, state-of-the-art ‘canine-grass’ surface, which is designed to be and will be built upon a specialized drainage substructure, for easy maintenance.
o We asked that the dog park design be people-friendly as well as dog-friendly in order to promote (people) socialization and community building.
o We asked that the ‘interface’ between the dog areas and outside of them be carefully designed so that educational materials (e.g. ‘how to greet a dog’, ‘what dog breed is that?’, etc.) could be posted to bridge communities, and, particularly, to teach kids about dogs.
o Michael assured us that consideration of maintenance activities is an important element of the design. Service gates that we suggested be added will be large enough to allow equipment access.
o Construction cannot begin until after approvals and bidding are conducted in Spring 2013. The anticipated construction start would be summer 2013 and construction will take several months.
o The proposed DFA will be ‘large for Chicago’, but likely will not be larger than Wiggly Field or Grant Bark park.
We’ve been doing our part to advocate for the best possible dog-park in the South Loop at Fred Anderson Park. But the Board of the South Loop Dog PAC is a small group, and we ask that you, as a member of the South Loop community interested in, and hoping for, a great local dog park, take action, too. Please keep in touch with us, come to our meetings, help us reach out to the public and to the press, and let your Alderman know how you feel.
And watch for announcement of the public meeting in October!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Acadia Park!
If this doesn't get dog owners toasted, I don't know what will.
The latest info comes from the Sloopin Blog:
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
What Dog Parks Mean to Me: Gordon and Jake
To show our support and need for this new dog park, we're asking South Loop residents and dog lovers in Chicago to share what dog parks mean to them. You've met Kirsten and Ella, Elizabeth and Raul, now meet Gordon Stewart, board member of the South Loop Dog PAC, and his dog Jake.
My dog has been my loyal companion from the day I adopted him from the animal control center 8 years ago. It has been not only my responsibility but my privilege to provide him with everything he needs to be a healthy and healthful member of the community.
He is obviously attached to me, and though not a robot, he obediently follows my lead and commands. He doesn’t run up to strangers wagging his tail but, he could not be interpreted as threatening. Although he is not especially fond of the high energy of children, he will quite tolerantly endure their touch as they learn to not fear all large dogs.
Although frequently aloof, towards most people and animals, he will gently greet both with a wag and a sniff and then be on his way. Sometimes he meets “the right” playmate and may encourage that dog to engage in a chase or even a wrestle of sorts.
That said, I feel that Off Leash Areas are a place to build relationships. My dog and I may, or may not, choose to build a closer bond with others but, either way we will acknowledge and welcome you as a member of the community. Increased encounters cement our bond, either close or distant, and this familiarity breeds a feeling of comfort, safety and often times friendship in this congested atmosphere of anonymity.
Dog Park Safety: How to keep your dog safe at the park.
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| Photo from Web MD |
This is great advice from PetBehaviorHelp.com that we wanted to repost for all our readers. Click the link above to learn more about these 8 tips for keeping your dog safe at the park!
How to keep your dog safe and happy at the dog park
1. ALWAYS WATCH YOUR DOG
2. Recognize appropriate play
3. Recognize inappropriate play
4. Teach your dog to disengage from play and pay attention to commands
5. Know when to stay and when to leave
6. Recognize potential conflict zones
7. Understand what to do when corrections, squabbles and fights happen
8. Recognize that the dog park is not appropriate for all dogs
Monday, August 13, 2012
Dog Park Safety: What to do when your dog is attacked
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| Photo from DogHouseDaycare.com |
A recent email from a user of Grant Bark Park brought to our attention the need to talk about park safety! We all want our local dog parks to be a safe, fun space for our dogs and ourselves, but what do you do when the worst happens and another dog attacks you or your dog?
The Short Answer:
Call the police.
According to the Chicago Park District website, all owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their dogs. If your dog is bitten or attacked, exchange information with the owner of the other dog. Most owners in good faith will offer to pay for your vet bills. If the other owner is unwilling to speak with you, call the police and report the incident.
The Long Answer - From the South Loop Dog PAC President:
"Unfortunately, there are no procedures in place for situations like this. There is a Chicago Park District 'rule' about 'dogs that have shown dangerous behavior', but there is no mechanism for enforcing it - the CPD is not going to police the parks, the SLDogPAC is in no position to police the park, and in the end it's going to be up to the parties involved to negotiate how to handle it amongst themselves.
Things to Look For - From PetBahaviorHelp.com
This comes up more frequently than we would like in Chicago dog parks - we hear it from our colleagues across the city - and we're trying to come up with a way to at least try to improve the information provided to dog park users and clueless owners. This is a long term project we've been trying to get off the ground - this incident, and others, is giving the effort impetus."
Understand what to do when corrections, squabbles and fights happen
Sudden, quick disagreements with lots of noise that end in a matter of seconds are normal and it is probably safe to allow the dogs to remain in the park if neither shows any inclination to continue the argument.
Interrupt any situation that seems to be escalating.
- Use your voice in a calm, commanding way to stop the fight. Screaming simply increases the
arousal of the dogs involved.
- Do NOT stick your hands into the middle of a dog fight to separate dogs. If physical intervention is
needed, try to grab the back legs of your dog and “wheel-barrow” it until it calms down. Fighting dogs will often strike at anything that moves near their face and human hands are far more delicate than most areas where one dog will bite another.
South Loop Dog Note: We strongly discourage the use of pepper spray for breaking up a dog fight as it could injure your own dog or other dogs around you.
- Do not allow additional dogs to jump into the fight. If you see or hear a squabble between other dogs, get your dog immediately and take it away from the area.
- Do not panic. It will not help the dogs. Remember that as a general rule, the louder the fight, the more bluff and bluster is involved and the less damage. Most dog fights between similar size dogs do not result in serious injury.
Once a fight occurs, the adrenaline levels of the dogs involved, and many of those who witnessed the fight, will be raised for several hours. It is wise to take these dogs out of the park and exercise them elsewhere to avoid the potential of another fight.
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