Dog Friendly Area

A playspace for dogs and humans alike, our off-leash Dog Friendly Area (DFA) features 25,000 square feet of fun, boasting a water play area, a small dog area, a drinking fountain, natural landscapes and benches.

Donate to the Dog Friendly Area

Upcoming Events

The DFA is all volunteer run and funded, so please do your part to help us keep it nice while you are there.  For current news, more information on the DFA or to volunteer or donate, please visit  https://hornerparkdogpark.org/

What are the Chicago Park District rules for dogs?
See https://hornerparkdogpark.org/dog-park-rules-regs/

When is the dog park open?
The dog park has the same hours as Horner Park, 6am – 11pm. However, it is not lit, so we recommend visiting during daylight hours.

What does it cost to use the dog park?
The dog park is free, however, the Chicago Park District requires a permit in the form of a dog tag to use any of its Dog Friendly Areas. The annual cost of the permit is $10 and can be obtained at participating veterinarians. The permit ensures that all dogs visiting the park are properly vaccinated and parasite free.

Is the rest of the park off limits to dogs?
Dogs are allowed in the rest of the park, but must be on leash. Please note that the Chicago Park District does not allow dogs on playgrounds or tennis courts. Enforcement of these ordinances is the responsibility of Chicago Police; neither the Chicago Park District nor the Dog Friendly Area Committee (DFAC) can issue tickets.

Who is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the dog park?
The DFAC and park users are responsible for keeping the dog park neat. The DFAC is a volunteer organization and relies on all park users to help keep the dog park in good shape for all. Dog owners are still required by law to pick up after their pets within the dog park. The first Saturday of every month from 9-11am has been designated as clean up day. All are welcome and encouraged to pitch in! A broom and shovel are always available onsite, so feel free to sweep the patio or redistribute mulch to spots where it is most needed. 

Are dog toys allowed in the park?
Toys are allowed, but please be sure to take them with you when you go. Left behind/broken toys will be discarded during cleanups as they are a hazard to some dogs. If you see an abandoned toy in bad shape, please throw it out!

Why aren’t there any trash cans inside the park?
The Chicago Park District will NOT empty any trash bins within the confines of the dog park. Trash bins are located as close to the park entrance as possible.

What if I don’t have a poop bag?
There’s a bag holder located near the inside gate of the large dog area. It’s not closely monitored, though we do try to keep it full. Please feel free to restock it if you have extra newspaper, vegetable, grocery or other extra bags!

Can I smoke in the park?
The Chicago Park District does not allow smoking on any Chicago Park District property, including this dog park.

Can I bring food into the park?
No. Human food and doggo food are both prohibited to avoid any conflict between dogs. Please give your dog treats outside the park.

Can I bring kiddos to the park?
Children under 12 are not allowed in the DFA without a parent or guardian and younger children must be very closely supervised. We do not recommend bringing small children into the dog park as not all dogs are comfortable with them.

Is there a separate area for small doggos?
Yes, there is! The small dog area is intended for dogs under 30 pounds. If your dog is bigger than that, please use the large dog area. Smaller dogs are permitted in the big dog area. 

Are all dogs allowed in the park?
All dog breeds are allowed in the park. However, any dog with a known history of aggression or that exhibits dangerous behavior is prohibited from using the park. Also, if your otherwise-friendly dog has a conflict with another dog, please leave the park to ensure nobody gets hurt. If an incident occurs and the owner of the aggressive dog won’t leave, you can call 911 to report it.

Do dogs need to be neutered or spayed?
No. Intact male and female dogs are allowed to use the park, with one exception: female dogs in heat are prohibited from using the park.

Can puppies use the park?
Puppies 4 months and older are allowed to use the park if properly vaccinated. Please keep an extra eye on puppies as they are still learning commands and socialization skills.

How many dogs can I bring to the park?
There is a strict limit of three dogs per adult, even for experienced professional dog walkers.

What if there is an incident that needs to be reported?
Please contact the Chicago Police Department at 911 to report any incidents, aggressive dogs, violation of City ordinances or criminal behavior. Chicago Park District Security can be reached at 312.747.2193. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control is in charge of enforcing DFA Rules and Regulations and can be reached at 708.974.6140. For non-emergency reports you can also call 311.

When was the dog park built and who paid for it? 

Phase I of the dog park opened in August 2018. Work on Phase II began in November of 2020 and the dog park reopened in July 2021. Contributions from local businesses, neighborhood organizations, community members and Alderpersons helped fund the development.

How can I get involved?
If you would like to join the Dog Friendly Area Committee or volunteer to help with one of our events, please contact: info@hornerparkdogpark.org. We are a 100% volunteer-run committee and need as many hands as possible to continue the funding for the build out and for the upkeep of the park.

How can I make a donation to the dog park?

  • Click here and choose “Dog Friendly Area” from the menu and follow the instructions.

  • Venmo (confirmation #7360) Please note that the donation is for the dog park.

  • Mail a Check to:
    Horner Park Dog Friendly Area Committee
    2741 W. Montrose, Chicago, IL   60618

    • Make check payable to Horner Park Advisory Council with “Dog Friendly Area” in the memo line

The Horner Park Advisory Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization so your contribution may be tax deductible. In addition, we run MANY fundraisers throughout the year including the very popular Doggie Egg Hunt in the Spring. Please join our newsletter https://hornerparkdogpark.org/newsletter/ or follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HornerParkDogPark to learn about our events. All contributions support improvements to the DFA. Thank you!