Elgin, Hoffman Estates eyeing $45/year dog park

The City of Elgin and the Hoffman Estates Park District are considering teaming up for a second project this year along their common border: a dog park for residents of both communities to enjoy.

The project is in its early stages, but officials hope to see the dog park by 2012. And it would come with an annual fee: at least $45.

Dean Bostrom, executive director of the Hoffman Estates Park District, said the district conducted a communitywide survey in 2009 and found a strong interest for a dog park on its west side. There already is a park on the north side, which was expanded last year to accommodate its popularity.

“We’re up to almost 500 dogs again in the dog park that is 1.8 acres,” Bostrom said. “It’s been extremely popular.”

Paul Bednar, Elgin’s park development coordinator, said he is confident interest in the dog park is present in his city but its park department will conduct an informal survey to verify that over the next couple months.

Elgin residents can visit elginparksmasterplan.org/parks/survey by Sept. 30 to answer one yes or no question about whether they would be interested in becoming a member of the proposed dog park. An annual fee of $45 for the first dog and $15 for each additional dog would cover the maintenance costs of maintaining the park.

“If there aren’t enough people willing to participate, there won’t be the funds to operate,” Bednar said.

The dog park will be modeled after the Hoffman Estates Park District’s first one with a fenced-in area partitioned for small dogs on one side and all dogs on the other. Members will need to enter a code on a keypad to enter the park for access to water, agility equipment and a shade structure with benches for dog owners.

All dogs will need to be registered, verifying up-to-date vaccinations and ensuring the safety of all dogs and owners in the park.

Construction costs will total $80,000 to be split between the park district and the city.

The Elgin City Council recently approved a proposal by the Hoffman Estates Park District to build a playground on Elgin land. The park district will pay a majority of construction and will be responsible for the annual maintenance of the park.

The dog park idea has been discussed for about a year but it was put on hold as the playground proposal came to fruition.