LAKEVIEW — The majority of voters in the 44th Ward, which largely encompasses Lakeview, think the neighborhood should get an outdoor dog park.
A referendum question on Tuesday’s ballot asked voters in the ward whether they supported a new dog park for the neighborhood. Just over 80 percent of voters said “yes,” according to unofficial results from the Chicago Board of Elections.
The ballot referendum is non-binding, so the votes don’t mean that a dog park will be built. But the results can be used to show officials there’s support for the project.
The closest outdoor dog park to Lakeview is Wiggly Field in Lincoln Park, which covers a block of Wrightwood Avenue between Sheffield and Seminary avenues that was established in 1997.
A group of neighbors has been pushing for a dog park.
The Park District approved an application to explore the development of a fenced, off-leash dog park the size of two tennis courts in July 2019, according to the referendum. The park would be built where Briar Place runs into Lake Shore Drive, which is currently a grassy area by an on-ramp.
But the project has stalled due to a lack of support from elected officials, according to the Lakeview Dog Park group, a nonprofit that’s collected more than 5,000 signatures in support of the park.
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) could not immediately be reached for comment.
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