Demand From Dog-Lovers Leads Naperville Community to Open Dog Park

By Melissa Borgerding
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The four-legged residents of Monarch Landing are about to get a real treat. On September 30, the community celebrates the grand opening of its new dog park.

The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting event where they’ll hear from local veterinarians and trainers, learn about adoption from A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter, watch Frisbee demonstrations, and treat their pets to a run in the dog park.

And lest there be any doubt who this day is really for, pets will have the opportunity to sample gourmet delicacies like “hot dogs” and “biscut-otti.”

Dog Lovers Demand a Place for Their Pets
There were no plans for a dog park in the initial design of Monarch Landing, says Patty Carter Luessenhop, the community’s executive director. “We worked with construction and development to build this park at the request of our residents, many of whom own dogs or have ‘grand-dogs’ that they want to come visit them.”

Monarch Landing dog lovers wanted a space for their dogs to play outside. Patty loved the idea of a dog park right in the community. “The dog park is an opportunity for the dogs to exercise and play and get off the leash for a little while in a pleasant environment.”

The park will be fenced off to give the dogs a safe and secure play area, and to prevent the canines from infringing on the rights of community members.

Dog Parks Becoming More Popular
Dog parks are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. In fact, there are more than 50 in the greater Chicago area, according to www.dogfocused.com, an Internet site for dog lovers.