Dog P.A.C. : F.A.Q's

How can I help?
What is a DFA?
How are Chicago Park District DFAs established?
What are Park District rules for an established DFA?
What are some advantages to having DFAs?
Where is the DFA location for the South Loop?
Where can I find current DFAs for off-leash use?
Who is Dog P.A.C.?
How can I contact Dog P.A.C. if I have questions or comments?

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1. How can I help?
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You can help by signing petitions for DFAs and spreading the word. You can also volunteer to help for various activities ranging from petition drives, usage surveys, posting flyers, and more! Email us at: sldogpac@yahoo.com

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2. What is a DFA?
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DFA stands for Dog Friendly Area. It is a separate fenced in area where dogs can exercise and play off-leash in a safe and supervised environment.

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3. How are Chicago Park District DFAs established?
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According to the Chicago Park District - "Creating a dog friendly park in a Chicago Park is a grassroots process. If a group of dog owners decide this type of area is needed in their local park, there are a series of steps they must follow. These dog owners have to organize themselves as an official council. Over the course of a year, this group should engage in surveys of the proposed dog area space and also conduct at least three community meetings to acquire community support. Once this community support is granted, the dog council helps to monitor and maintain the dog friendly area and advise patrons on the specific rules and regulations. "

View the Chicago Park District guidelines (1.14 Mb).

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4. What are Park District rules for an established DFA?
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Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their dogs.
Owners must remain within the fenced area at all times.
Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the area. Gates to the area must remain closed at all times.
Owners must immediately clean up after their dogs. Failure to do so can result in a fine up to $500 (City of Chicago Ordinance 7-12-420).
Dogs with a known history of, or who exhibit, dangerous behavior are prohibited.
Dogs must be healthy, fully immunized, de-wormed, licensed and wearing ID tags.
An adult must accompany children under 12; young children must be closely supervised.
Puppies under four months old and female dogs in heat are prohibited.
Dogs must be watched at all times.
Cooperation between dog owners is essential.

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5. What are some advantages to having DFAs?
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Community builder: People meet there to socialize and discuss neighborhood issues and concerns.

Security: The presence of owners with their dogs increases the safety of the surrounding area by deterring illegal activity.

Better dog behavior: Having well socialized pets make for friendlier pets.

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6. Where is the DFA location for the South Loop?
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The area approved by the CPD is near the 11th Steet pedestrian bridge, off of Columbus and Michigan, behind the CPD maintenance building.

See a view of the location here.

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7. Where can I find current DFAs for off-leash use?
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Wiggly Field, 2645 N. Sheffield
Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen
Hamlin Park , 3035 N. Hoyne
Margate Park [NE corner Marine Drive & Lawrence]
Walsh Park , 1722 N. Ashland
Coliseum Park, 14th St. & Wabash

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8. Who is Dog P.A.C.?
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Founded on May 23, 2001 by:
Gail Merritt
Tina Phillips
Blythe Veltman
Jeffrey Veltman

The South Loop Dog P.A.C. became a not-for-profit corporation in January 2005. Current Members of the Board of Directors are:

Gail Merritt
Beth Shipke
Kristine Lyons
Barbara Perez
Wendy Cobrin
Stephanie Daugherty
Wendy Ito
Mike Schipke

There are also over 100 organization members without whose support we would not be able to pursue our mission.

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9. How can I contact Dog P.A.C. if I have questions or comments?
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Visit the contact page for more information.

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	FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
		How can I help? What is a DFA? How are Chicago Park District DFAs established? What are Park District rules for an established DFA? What are some advantages to having DFAs? Where is the DFA location for the South Loop? Where can I find current DFAs for off-leash use? Who is Dog P.A.C.? How can I contact Dog P.A.C. if I have questions or comments? ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. How can I help? ------------------------------------------------------------ You can help by signing petitions for DFAs and spreading the word. You can also volunteer to help for various activities ranging from petition drives, usage surveys, posting flyers, and more! Email us at: sldogpac@yahoo.com [back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 2. What is a DFA? ------------------------------------------------------------ DFA stands for Dog Friendly Area. It is a separate fenced in area where dogs can exercise and play off-leash in a safe and supervised environment. [back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 3. How are Chicago Park District DFAs established? ------------------------------------------------------------ According to the Chicago Park District - "Creating a dog friendly park in a Chicago Park is a grassroots process. If a group of dog owners decide this type of area is needed in their local park, there are a series of steps they must follow. These dog owners have to organize themselves as an official council. Over the course of a year, this group should engage in surveys of the proposed dog area space and also conduct at least three community meetings to acquire community support. Once this community support is granted, the dog council helps to monitor and maintain the dog friendly area and advise patrons on the specific rules and regulations. " View the Chicago Park District guidelines (1.14 Mb). [back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 4. What are Park District rules for an established DFA? ------------------------------------------------------------ Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their dogs. Owners must remain within the fenced area at all times. Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the area. Gates to the area must remain closed at all times. Owners must immediately clean up after their dogs. Failure to do so can result in a fine up to $500 (City of Chicago Ordinance 7-12-420). Dogs with a known history of, or who exhibit, dangerous behavior are prohibited. Dogs must be healthy, fully immunized, de-wormed, licensed and wearing ID tags. An adult must accompany children under 12; young children must be closely supervised. Puppies under four months old and female dogs in heat are prohibited. Dogs must be watched at all times. Cooperation between dog owners is essential. [back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 5. What are some advantages to having DFAs? ------------------------------------------------------------ Community builder: People meet there to socialize and discuss neighborhood issues and concerns. Security: The presence of owners with their dogs increases the safety of the surrounding area by deterring illegal activity. Better dog behavior: Having well socialized pets make for friendlier pets. [Back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Where is the DFA location for the South Loop? ------------------------------------------------------------ The area approved by the CPD is near the 11th Steet pedestrian bridge, off of Columbus and Michigan, behind the CPD maintenance building. See a view of the location here. [back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Where can I find current DFAs for off-leash use? ------------------------------------------------------------ Wiggly Field, 2645 N. Sheffield Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Hamlin Park , 3035 N. Hoyne Margate Park [NE corner Marine Drive & Lawrence] Walsh Park , 1722 N. Ashland Coliseum Park, 14th St. & Wabash [back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 8. Who is Dog P.A.C.? ------------------------------------------------------------ Founded on May 23, 2001 by: Gail Merritt Tina Phillips Blythe Veltman Jeffrey Veltman The South Loop Dog P.A.C. became a not-for-profit corporation in January 2005. Current Members of the Board of Directors are: Gail Merritt Beth Shipke Kristine Lyons Barbara Perez Wendy Cobrin Stephanie Daugherty Wendy Ito Mike Schipke There are also over 100 organization members without whose support we would not be able to pursue our mission. [back to top ^] ------------------------------------------------------------ 9. How can I contact Dog P.A.C. if I have questions or comments? ------------------------------------------------------------ Visit the contact page for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------ [back to top ^]



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