Dog parks in Naperville
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Overview
Dog parks have gained a reputation across the country as being one of the best ways for you to spend some extra time outdoors with your beloved dog. Whether your dog doesn't get enough exercise in your backyard or you just want to socialize your dog with other dogs, you can do it through dog parks. Here are a few great local dog park options in and around Naperville to check out.
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Amenities
Wag 'N Paddle is unique partially because it isn't a public dog park. Instead, it's a private dog care facility that offers in-ground, heated pools, an indoor dog park, an outdoor turfed area, and even self-service dog baths. In order to attend the dog park, you will need to have your dog go through a temperament evaluation, submit copies of your dog's vaccination records, and purchase a membership.
2. Springbrook Prairie Dog Park
Amenities
The Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve offers a whopping 1,829 acres of space for visitors to enjoy themselves and experience the joy of nature. Within this park, you'll find the Springbrook Prairie Dog Park, a fenced, off-leash park that provides a unique spot for dog owners to let their dogs enjoy nature as well. You need a DuPage County off-leash permit to visit the park with your dog, but a single permit is good for all off-leash dog parks run by the county, and local residents get a discount.
3. Greene Valley Dog Park
Amenities
Greene Valley is a 1,388-acre forest preserve that boasts a whopping 540 native plant species and plenty of animal species, including birds of all kinds. Within it, you'll find the Greene Valley Dog Park, handled by DuPage County. This park is sixteen acres, offering locations for small and large dogs, and both areas are fully fenced. You need a permit to bring your dog here, but the required permit allows access to all other DuPage County dog parks.
4. Blackwell Forest Preserve Dog Park
Amenities
Located in Warrenville, just outside of Naperville proper, you'll find the Blackwell Forest Preserve, with a history that stretches back 12,000 to 15,000 years. Inside the park, there's a ten-acre, off-leash dog park, which is fully fenced and very beautiful all year round. Permits are required to visit this dog park, as with other dog parks in the area, but the permit is a general DuPage County permit and can be used at other DuPage County dog parks.
5. Whalon Lake Dog Park
Amenities
Located right on the city limits between Bolingbrook and Naperville, Whalon Lake Dog Park is the largest off-leash dog park in all of Will County, offering over 10 acres of space for dogs to run around in. That includes eight acres of space for all dogs to play together, as well as 2.5 acres for dogs specifically 30 pounds and under. It's a well-reviewed and unique dog park for dogs of all sizes to enjoy. Remember to take your permit and that permits for DuPage County do not cross over with permits for Will County.
Enjoy the park with your dog
Naperville is a beautiful area full of nature, and both you and your dog deserve to enjoy that nature as much as you can. Dog parks are one of the best ways to do this, which is why so many cities have started instituting dog parks for their residents. However, before you attend a dog park with your dog, you must make sure your dog is socially ready to visit and doesn't have any illnesses. You can book a virtual vet appointment with Vetster to get more information about how to prepare your dog for a dog park visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Not all of them. Many dog parks have separate sections for small dogs and large dogs, allowing your dog to play with dogs that are primarily the same size as them, but this isn't true for all parks. Others may simply have a single area for all dogs to run and play. Neither is necessarily safer, and you should always keep an eye on your dog when you're at the dog park due to the potential for conflicts.
- Parks will usually have signage to indicate whether or not dogs are allowed in a specific park, and if dogs are allowed off-leash, it's even more likely that the park will have special signs indicating this. However, if you're not sure about a park or you want to check before you head out, you can look at the Naperville Parks & Recreation website, which will give you more information about all the parks in Naperville.
- Many dog parks are managed by local volunteers, so if you're thinking about helping to manage a dog park, you should contact them and ask how you can be of service. On the other hand, you don't necessarily have to do this to have a positive impact on your local dog park. Just clean up after yourself and your dog, and you'll be surprised at how much of a difference you can make.
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