5 of Chicago's Coolest Dog Parks
Construction on the Logan Square Dog Park kicked off on May 1, just ahead of the opening of the Bloomingdale Trail on June 6. It tops our list of Chicago's most happening new dog parks, which increase property values, influence sales and create community.
1. Logan Square Dog Park
Location: 2529 W Logan Blvd in Logan Square
Amenities: Construction finally kicked off May 1, and the park includes exercise ramps, a dog and human drinking fountain, and areas for both large and small pups.
The nabe: The hipsters have to take their pets somewhere, and this will be the first local dog park. Rents are moving up and the Bloomingdale Trail coming June 6 will add to area traffic and Logan Square’s overall desirability.
Cool Factor: The site used to be a dumping ground/less-than-stellar space, but community donations and a can-do spirit have turned it into the city’s newest dog park, which opens in August.
2. Mary Bartelme Park
Location: 115 S Sangamon St in the dense and livable West Loop.
Amenities: The doggy portion is in a “uniquely sunken” park area, just for dogs, that provides artificial canine grass, and a continually filling oversized dog bowl to ensure all pets are well hydrated.
The nabe: People want to live here, and construction is booming, not to mention retailers like Billy Reid are moving in, which adds to the area’s vitality and livability.
The Cool Factor: The park spans 1.4 acres and is built on the site of an old infirmary. It includes an open lawn area, viewing hill and enclosed seating area.
3. Fred Anderson Dog Park
Location: 1629 S Wabash Ave in the South Loop area.
Amenities: The just-opened park—in winter 2014—will offer water fountains this spring, it has bag dispensers to clean up you-know-what, seating, and separate areas for large and small pooches.
The nabe: The South Loop is the place to live, with multifamily booming. One such example: developer Keith Giles wants to build a $64M residential tower with 280 units on land bought from the City for $4.4M.
The Cool Factor: The park was named after famous Chicago Jazz saxophonist Fred Anderson and has a performance space. For humans.
4. Wiggly Field
Location: 2645 N Sheffield Ave right in Lincoln Park.
Amenities: Part of Noethling Park, and the city’s first DFA (dog-friendly area) this dog park offers up canine drinking fountains, double gates to prevent escapes, baggie dispensers, and it's mostly a soft-coated asphalt surface, great for little paws.
The Nabe: Lincoln Park’s drawn the young for ages now, and foodie Millennials will be psyched about the new rotating restaurant concept, not to mention the new Finch’s Beer Co’s 80k SF brewery.
The Cool Factor: Wiggly Field was featured on Animal Planet’s K 9-5 show and has been open since 1997.
5. Puptown
Location: 4921 N Marine Dr in Uptown.
Amenities: The three-acre acre park is volunteer-run and independent from the city. It has both gravel and asphalt areas for those tender paws, fresh water and four bag dispensers.
The Nabe: Development and change continues to come Uptown: The former Combined Insurance building will see a $150M redevelopment—set to become retail and homes—and Watertown Associates recently bought the Stanley Tiegerman-designed Pensacaola Place for $66M. Renters are coming as other neighborhoods continue to see higher pricing.
The Cool Factor: Puptown cultivates a true community spirit and hosts the Howl-O-Ween Parade and Party as a fundraising event, where pooches and humans alike dress up.
