Neighborhood News

Published August 25, 2019 By Justin Kerr

The dog-friendly area in Chicago's McKinley Park took a definitive step forward on Saturday, August 17, at the official ground breaking for the McKinley Dog Park, a plot for large and small dogs adjacent to the park's swimming pool area. It's also the first dog park on the Southwest Side of Chicago.

"I'm glad it's come to fruition," said 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas. He noted the role that Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) funds played in funding the park, a cooperative effort that also involved TIF money coordination with 11th Ward Alderman Patrick D. Thompson.

Illinois 2nd District State Representative Theresa Mah also helped lift a shovel at the ground-breaking. "Lots of hopes and dreams have been poured into this project," she said.

A project of the McKinley Dog Park Advisory Council, the dog park has in the works for five years, when nearby resident Angie Robertson started organizing with other local volunteers to advocate for bringing a dog park to the area.

McKinley Park neighborhood resident Jose Ramos attended the ground-breaking with his two dogs, Whiskey and Honey. He said the dog park is long overdue.

"Right now, we have to go to [the dog park at] 18th and Wabash," he said. "The new dog park will be local and close. We can watch our kids playing in the park," he said, while his dogs enjoy their time at the dog park.