- Credibility:
IRVING PARK — The Chicago Park District closed the dog park at Horner Park to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The Horner Park Advisory Council’s committee, which oversees the dog park alongside the park district, announced the closure in an email Thursday.
“We do not know when it will be reopened. Thank you for respecting this decision. We will keep you posted as to any further updates,” said the email.
The pandemic has also complicated the committee’s ability to fundraise for improvements at the dog park, the email said.
“As such, we may not have the funding we need to complete the dog park this year,” the email said.
Phase One of the park focused on building a fenced-in area. That was completed in August 2018. Before Thursday’s announcement, the dog park was open to the public, but it’s currently just a fenced-in, no frills spot.
Phase Two is expected to include features like a canine grass field (lead free artificial turf designed for dogs), a dog friendly water fountain, benches, a paved entrance, a small dog area and more overall space to run and play. These improvements are expected to cost $250,000 and the committee has been fundraising towards that goal.
Earlier this year neighbors also voted to allocate $25,000 from Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez’s (33rd) participatory budget to the second phase of improvements.
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