Keep Your Dog On-Leash
It may be tempting to let your dog run off-leash on the beautiful new lawns at The Preserve of Highland Park. Though The Preserve may look like a traditional park with its paved trails and mowed lawns, it is a natural area and home to hundreds of wild birds and animals. To make sure our new park is fun and safe for everyone, we require that dogs always be kept on a leash.
There is evidence that dogs off-leash can be detrimental to wildlife. Most birds and other wildlife perceive dogs as predators. Impacts include:
- Displacement – The presence of dogs causes wildlife to move away, temporarily, or permanently reducing the amount of available habitat in which to feed, breed and rest. Animals become less active during the day to avoid dog interactions. Furthermore, the scent of dogs repels wildlife, and the effects remain after the dogs are gone.
- Disturbance – Animals are alarmed and cease their routine activities. This increases the amount of energy they use, while simultaneously reducing their opportunities to feed. Repeated stress causes long-term impacts on wildlife including reduced reproduction and growth, suppressed immune system and increased vulnerability to disease and parasites.
It is against City law and Park District ordinance to have a dog off-leash in any of our parks, except in designated areas. Dogs off-leash are not in your control. They may:
- disturb or frighten other visitors
- chase wildlife
- disturb nesting birds
- run into hazards like the large mowers or wetland areas
- encounter wildlife or harmful pests such as deer ticks
- become lost because owners cannot maintain sight of their pets.
There are several options for off-leash fun in the community. The Park District of Highland Park has two dog parks available to registered members:
Debbie Gottlieb Beitler Dog Park at Larry Fink Memorial Park – open year-round (701 Deer Creek Parkway)
A relaxed park-like atmosphere with two off-leash exercise areas, depending on the size of your dog.
Highland Park Golf Learning Center– open mid-December through mid-March* (2205 Skokie Valley Highway)
A large outdoor venue for your dog to run off some of that cabin fever energy.
