Dog park set to open in Batavia

Everyone knows that Batavia is home to the Battlin' Bulldogs, but now those pups have a place to run around and play as well.

The city's first dog park, at 40W101 W. Main St., will open Sunday, with a free grand opening celebration from 1 to 3 p.m.

"Folks have been requesting this for four or five years, but we just weren't at a point to make it happen," said Jim Eby, planning and development director for the Batavia Park District.

The 3-acre park includes open fields and a more wooded area as well as part of a pond marked off for water-loving dogs.

The park district has already sold 158 permits, far beyond its goal of 100 before the opening, Eby said.

If the park is successful, the district might consider expanding it in the future to have separate areas for small and big dogs, he said.

The park will be locked, and people who enter have to have an access code and be wearing their permit lanyard.

However, the park is open for free to everyone for its grand opening.

There will be several vendors with "doggie bags" to give away and a ribbon-cutting to open the park, Eby said.

Permits are available at the park district office, 327 W. Wilson St. A current shot record, including rabies, distemper, heartworm and fecal test is required to get a permit.

The cost is $40 for Batavia Park District residents, $46 for Batavia residents who live outside the park district and $57 for nonresidents. Additional dogs can be registered for a $5, $6 or $7 fee, respectively.

For more information, call the park district at (630) 879-5235.