Apparently the only folks in River Forest who haven’t been included in the discussion of turning Washington Triangle into a dog park are the ones who live on streets facing the park.
The neighbors I contacted who live on Park Avenue, Washington and Park Drive were all surprised to learn that the River Forest Park District was considering the idea of turning the park into a dog recreation area.
None recalls a call, note or visit from “dog czar” and board commissioner Ron Steele Jr., who the Wednesday Journal reported as “has been working with citizens in seeking to develop a dog park.”
A couple of things concern me:
The folks who live in the area weren’t contacted, which makes me suspicious of the dog owners involved in this and the board commissioners supporting it.
The reported need to act quickly and “do it sooner rather than later.” As is often the case, once the deed is done, it is much more difficult to undo it. I would encourage the park district board to hear the concerns and suggestions of neighborhood residents before acting.
The park board seems to have settled on Washington Triangle because all other park space in River Forest is devoted to athletic fields. Board president Stephen Dudek doesn’t think it appropriate to have a dog park in the same location as an athletic field.
It seems to me that reasoning is exactly why a dog park shouldn’t be located in Washington Triangle. Since Washington Triangle is the only open space in the village that is not devoted to athletic space and is open to all residents of River Forest, it shouldn’t be reconfigured to benefit people who own dogs.
In closing, I point to the River Forest Park District’s mission statement: “The River Forest Park District was created to acquire, develop and preserve recreational open space and park facilities. The District cooperates with other governmental agencies, community-based organizations and local private institutions to develop and maintain sports programs, recreational services and park facilities to benefit all residents of the Village.”
I don’t know how turning Washington Triangle into a dog park will “benefit all residents of the Village.”
Bill Heineke
River Forest
