Batavia Bark Park might be unleashed on June 1

Dog owners, June 1 could be a red-letter day.

But don't tell your canine companions yet. They might slobber your floor panting with excitement.

The Batavia Park District plans a grand opening June 1 for its new Bark Park: Three acres of open, grassy fields complete with a doggy beach on a retention pond.

Sound like a pooch paradise?

Bark Park will be the only Batavia park area where dogs will be able to frolic off the leash. The doggie area -- which will be enclosed by a four-foot wire fence -- is located at West Main Community Park on Main Street near Fabyan Parkway.

According to Jim Eby, director of planning and development for the Batavia Park District, Bark Park will also serve as a staging area for special events and dog training classes.

Park officials say Bark Park has been a long-term goal.

"We've had an increasing number of requests over the last three years," Eby said. "There are other dog parks in the area and our residents have wanted one here. So we took a chunk out of West Main Park in order to have one."

Dog owners can obtain permits starting April 1 at the Park District Civic Center, 327 W. Wilson St. Permit holders will receive a combination to a locking system.

If purchased before June 1, permits will be $30 for residents, $36 for residents of Batavia who don't live within the park district boundary and $47 for nonresidents. Add $10 to the cost if permits are purchased June 1 or later. An additional dog can be registered for $5. Permits are good for one season, from June 1 until the first snowfall. Next year, the park will open April 1.

Eby said the park will cost between $25,000 and $30,000. Parking is being expanded to add 32 places for a total of 132.

West Main Community Park also features 25 acres of soccer and baseball fields, picnic shelters, walking paths, basketball courts and a roller hockey court.

The district has received about $1,200 from the Batavia Parks Foundation and is accepting donations to help defray costs.

Donations are still being accepted and can be sent to the Batavia Parks Foundation, Attention: Dog Park, 327 W. Wilson St., Batavia, IL 60510.