Buffalo Grove to get a dog park - finally

Four years after the idea first came up, Buffalo Grove is on the verge of getting a park for its dogs.

The Buffalo Grove Park District board Tuesday approved a bid of $143,257 from Arthur Weiler Inc. in Zion to build the park on ComEd power line right of way south of the detention basin on the south end of the expanded commuter parking lot at the Sidney Mathias Train Station.

The park could open this fall, depending on weather, and will definitely be open by spring, Mike Terson, district spokesman, said Wednesday. It will be open only to Buffalo Grove residents, who will have to buy a tag worn by their pet for identification purposes when at the park. Details of the tag program are still being worked out, he said.

The park board first asked park district staff to explore the possibility of a dog park on ComEd right of way in the fall of 2005. In March of 2008, the district held a public hearing to get feedback from residents. About 55 people attended and support for the idea was nearly unanimous.

Since then, moving forward has been much more difficult than expected, Terson said.

Staff explored the possibility of partnering with the Lake County Forest Preserve District and building the dog park at Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve. However, the forest preserve district wasn't interested in pursuing the project because of opposition from Long Grove residents, as well as a feeling the northeast sector of Lake County had more need of a dog park than Buffalo Creek, Terson said.

It also took time to get approval of the engineering plans for the park by Lake County and to negotiate a recreational use lease agreement with ComEd. The lease agreement also was approved Tuesday.