Suburban Stadiums: Centennial Park's Dog Beach

CENTENNIAL PARK'S DOG BEACH

Facility and History: Centennial Park and its dog beach sit on more than five acres that was acquired in 1969. The Park District purchased the land from the North Shore Hospital Corp. for $550,000.

The site is the southernmost of the Winnetka’s five lakefront parks and is the only Park District facility that has a space designed and reserved for dogs.

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Along the eastern edge of the bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan is a path paved with bricks that are engraved in honor of residents and their dogs. 

“You can get one with your dog’s name on it with a little paw print, which many of our beach holders have purchased in memory of a dog or celebrating a puppy,” said Lee Volpe, superintendent of recreation for the Winnetka Park District. “It’s kind of neat to stroll through there and look at all those bricks.”

Much like the foot showers for people at many Chicagoland beaches, the dog beach features a wash area for dogs just west of the gate to the beach. 

Policies and Programs: To gain access to the dog beach, pet owners must purchase a season dog pass, which cost $30 for residents and $160 for nonresidents. The pass opens a locked gate, allowing access to the dog park along Lake Michigan.

The procedure was implemented in the summer of 2005 because of new regulations by Cook County. Owners now have to prove that their dogs have been immunized, have a village-issued tag and have been tested for rabies before a season pass can be purchased.

The Park District distinguishes between Centennial Park and the dog beach. While dogs are allowed to roam at the beach, they must remain leashed in the park at 225 Sheridan Rd.

“We investigated putting in a dog park, but to put up a permanent fence on any park would be difficult,” Volpe said.

Because of its status as the Winnetka Park District’s only dog beach and the fact that so many dog owners walk their pets through the park to the beach, Volpe doesn’t schedule any events or programs in the area. They keep the park open and allow dogs to have their space.

Before the Cook County rules came into effect, the Park District did hold an annual dog party along the beach for a couple years.

Volpe says the dog beach has been widely successful as sales of more than 300 passes occur each summer to owners, whose current access is valid through March 31.