No Dog Park in Crow Island Woods

Crow Island Woods is one of the two remaining sites being vetted by the Winnetka Park District for installation of an off-leash dog park.

See the details here: https://www.winpark.org/about-us/projects/dog-park/

We have a number of concerns regarding the proposed CIW dog park site:

  • Impact on the health and integrity of CIW’s oak savanna and sedge meadow areas. These are ecologically sensitive areas that have been under long-term stress due to the number of severe storms over the last decade, the loss of ash trees due to emerald ash borer infestation, ongoing drainage issues, and overall de-prioritization and lack of investment by WPD
  • Impact on neighborhood property values
  • Proximity to Crow Island school and the safety risk for the school children who walk through CIW daily, and the classes which use CIW for lessons and activities
  • Safety hazard of increased traffic on surrounding residential dead-end streets with no sidewalks, where community members regularly walk and ride bikes in the street
  • Impact on the aesthetic beauty of CIW
  • Proximity to two National Historic Landmarks: Crow Island School and Schmidt-Burnham Log House
  • Proximity to homes, which will experience disruption due to increased noise and activity levels. This added noise and activity will also detract from CIW’s peaceful, natural setting.
  • Potential decrease in park shelter/event revenues, e.g., scouting events/camp overnights, annual Crow Island family picnic
  • Lack of parking in densely populated residential and elementary school area

ACTION Items:

We encourage you to read WPD’s plans, and complete WPD’s dog park survey at https://www.winpark.org/about-us/projects/dog-park/, as well as the Winnetka Caucus survey which has several dog park questions. https://www.winnetkacaucus.org/

WPD’s next board meeting is Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 5:30pm at the Administrative Office at 540 Hibbard Rd, Winnetka. Please attend to voice your concerns and/or stay updated on WPD news.

WPD is holding two on-site meetings for the community to look at the CIW dog park site. These will be held on Tuesday, June 25, from 10-11am and again from 7-8pm. Please attend to learn more and ask questions.

Dog Park Information from  the Association of Professional Dog Trainers:

Please sign the petition saying “No to Off-Leash Dog Park in Crow Island Woods” here: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/no-to-off-leash-dog-park-in-crow-island-woods