Forest preserve to open new dog area

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will celebrate the opening of its 7-acre, off-leash dog area at Oldfield Oaks Forest Preserve in Darien with a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19.

The new area features concrete plazas with double-gated entrances, a 0.2-mile gravel inner loop trail and a 0.35-mile turf outer loop trail. There's a 0.6-acre area for small dogs and a 6-acre parcel for all dogs with multiple activity areas.

It has picnic tables and trees for buffering and an adjacent 42-car asphalt parking lot, which doubles as a trailhead for visitors who want to reach the forest preserve's existing two miles of looped trails.

Dog owners will be able to apply for an off-leash dog permit at the event. Permits also can be purchased online 24/7.

Commissioner Linda Painter had long lobbied for an off-leash dog area in this part of the county, noting the nearest areas, Mayslake Forest Preserve in Oak Brook and Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville, are each more than eight miles away.

In addition to Oldfield Oaks, Mayslake and Greene Valley, the district has off-leash dog areas at Blackwell in Warrenville, East Branch in Glendale Heights, Hawk Hollow in Hanover Park and Springbrook Prairie in Naperville.

The district issues about 10,000 permits for its off-leash dog areas each year, evidence the facilities are popular with visitors. Pet owners who wish to use any of the district's off-leash areas must have valid permits and follow all rules and regulations, which are available online or through Visitor Services weekdays at (630) 933-7248.