Springbrook off-leash dog area to close temporaily

The off-leash dog area at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville will be closed temporarily starting Monday, Aug. 11, so DuPage County Forest Preserve District crews can improve drainage to reduce standing water and muddy conditions along the trail.

Weather-permitting, the area should reopen Labor Day weekend.

While the area is closed, the district encourages off-leash dog area permit holders and their canine companions to explore its five additional off-leash areas, including Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville, East Branch of the DuPage River in Glendale Heights, Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville, Mayslake Forest Preserve in Oak Brook, and Pratt's Wayne Woods in Wayne.

"We're installing crushed limestone in low-lying sections of the trail at the off-leash area at Springbrook Prairie that are continually wet, but when the work is completed, the majority of the turf trail will still be there," said Justin Frederick, the district's director of land management.

"Our goal is to provide visitors with better experiences year-round."

Once the area reopens, visitors may see tracks from construction vehicles along the remaining turf trail, but the district will overseed these areas in the fall.