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ALL DOG EXERCISE AREAS ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

All facilities, restrooms, playgrounds and dog exercise areas are closed until further notice. Preserves will remain open 6:30 AM to sunset, but there will not be normal, regularly scheduled maintenance. Please pack it in, pack it out. Follow CDC guidelines for safe social distancing.

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Introducing The New Waukegan Savanna Dog Park

Off-Leash Dog Parks

annual-dog-permit

We offer five uniquely different and pawsitively popular outdoor parks (also known as Dog Exercise Areas) where dogs can exercise, play, swim and socialize off-leash.

Dog Park Maps

Duck Farm » Independence Grove » Lakewood »

Prairie Wolf » Waukegan Savanna »

Permit Required

An annual or daily permit and a dog are required for entry.

Annual Permits

An annual permit allows access to all five of our popular Dog Parks. Annual permits are valid for the calendar year only, and are not prorated. When purchased from September 1–early December, fees are reduced and permit is valid through the end of the current year. Annual permits for the next calendar year go on sale in early December. During our busiest sales months of December and January, it may take longer than usual for you to receive your permanent vehicle sticker in the mail. Continue to use your temporary pass until it arrives.

Annual Permit Fee

$50 for the first dog, $20 each additional (up to 3), Lake County residents

$150 for the first dog, $75 each additional (up to 3), nonresidents

Annual permit fee is reduced starting September 1 through early December and valid through the end of the current year:

$25 for the first dog, $15 each additional (up to 3), Lake County residents

$75 for the first dog, $20 each additional (up to 3), nonresidents

To purchase a $5 replacement sticker, call or visit our General Offices in Libertyville, 847-367-6640, 8 am–4:30 pm, weekdays, or our Operations and Public Safety Facility in Lake Villa, 847-968-3411, 6:30 am–3 pm, weekdays.

Daily Permits

To check out our Dog Parks, or for spur-of-the-moment visits, a daily permit allows you and your canine companion one day's access to all five Dog Parks.

Daily Permit Fee

$10 per dog (up to 3), Lake County residents

$20 per dog (up to 3), nonresidents

How to Purchase

Before you can purchase an annual or daily permit, you'll need to show proof that your dog's rabies vaccine is up-to-date by providing the dog's current rabies tag number and expiration date.

You'll also need the license plate number for each car you wish to register. For an annual permit, you can register plates for up to three vehicles (one for daily permit) you wish to use to transport dogs to the park. First two vehicle stickers are included with cost of permit, third sticker is $5. The cars that are registered must reside at the address listed on the permit.

Annual Permit	Daily Permit
Online	Online
Mail or fax using the permit application.	Via mobile phone. Instructions and additional information »
Call or visit our General Office in Libertyville, 847-367-6640, 8 am–4:30 pm, weekdays, or our Operations and Public Safety Facility in Lake Villa, 847-968-3411, 6:30 am–3 pm, weekdays.

Using the Dog Parks

For everyone's safety and enjoyment, please adhere to the following rules, regulations and restrictions. Violation may result in a fine or suspension of permit use. For questions or a complete list of rules, you can view all ordinances governing the use of preserves and trails, or call 847-549-5200 and ask to speak to a Ranger.

Are there health and safety tips for visiting the Dog Parks?

For your dog's health and safety:

Dogs must be at least 4 months old to visit.
Determine if it's wise for your small dog or puppy to be off-leash with larger dogs.
Dogs must have a current rabies vaccination tag and number, as required by state law. If your dog's vaccination is not current, please call your vet. Consult with your vet regarding other recommended vaccinations or preventives.
The Lake County Health Department's low-cost pet vaccination clinics provide a convenient and affordable way to keep pets current with their shots and rabies tags.
Leave sick dogs home. They are not allowed in the area when ill.
Show your dog you care by asking your vet about visiting here.
Learn about potential health issues, prevention, symptoms and treatment. The Lake County Health Department and the American Veterinary Medical Association offer information and other resources on environmental health and disease prevention.
Make sure your dog is healthy and properly vaccinated against parvovirus and other diseases.
The soil throughout the eastern United States may contain spores that can cause blastomycosis. Chances are small that a dog will inhale them, but knowing symptoms gives time for treatment.

Can I get a refund if my dog does not like the park?

Refunds are not available but we do recommend purchasing a daily permit first to test the parks. They are good at all four parks, so start your day early and discover your favorite.

What if a dog is behaving overly aggressive toward my dog and I don’t see the owner?

Call 847-549-5200 and ask to speak to a Ranger.

Is my dog required to wear a Forest Preserve dog tag? 

No. Owners must display the annual permit vehicle sticker or the daily permit receipt on their vehicle while at the park.

Rules & Regs
Violations

Rules and Regulations

For everyone's safety and enjoyment, please:

Permit and dog are required for entry. Use at your own risk. Display vehicle sticker on your car's windshield below the tinted area. Stickers are not transferable. To purchase a $5 annual permit replacement sticker, call or visit our General Offices in Libertyville, 847-367-6640, 8 am–4:30 pm, weekdays, or our Operations and Public Safety Facility in Lake Villa, 847-968-3411, 6:30 am–3 pm, weekdays.
Park in lots only. Loitering in lots is prohibited. Vehicles left after closing will be towed at owner’s expense.
Keep your dog leashed while in parking lots, walkways and unfenced areas. Close the fence gate behind you after entering the area.
No more than three dogs per person are allowed during any one visit.
Approved canine activities include swimming, dog exercise, retrieving, tracking, pointing and obedience training.
Alcoholic beverages, food, treats, chews and rawhide are not permitted.
Horses, cats, other pets, game animals or birds are not permitted.
Bikes, boats, swimming, fishing, ice fishing, snowmobiles, camping, fires, collecting, hunting, firearms, releasing animals or non-native plant species, and off-road or motorized vehicles are not permitted.
Children must be accompanied by an adult and are expected to behave appropriately. Do not run or chase after dogs, and never attempt to pet other dogs unless permission is granted by that dog's owner.
You must remain in the Dog Area with your dog and closely supervise your dog at all times. You are solely responsible for controlling your dog. You must maintain visual contact and voice control of your dog. If aggressive behavior is observed, you must leash your dog and remove it from the area. You are responsible for any injury or damage to other dogs or the public caused by your dog.
Clean up after your dog. Bags provided. Deposit bags and all other litter in proper receptacles. Failure to pick up after your dog could result in an $85 fine.
Violation of rules, regulations or restrictions may result in a fine and/or suspension of permit use.

Ordinance violations and fineable offenses:

Clean up after your dog. Bags provided. Deposit bags and all other litter in proper receptacles.
Control your dog and maintain visual contact and voice control at all times.
You are responsible for any injury or damage to other dogs or to the public caused by your dog.

For Assistance or to Report a Problem:

For emergencies call 911.
For nonemergencies, violation of rules, or aggressive behavior of another dog or owner, call 847-549-5200 and ask to speak to a Ranger.
You can also contact our Public Safety Office at 847-968-3404, 6:30 am–3 pm, weekdays.

Run, Bark, Play

Gallery »

LOCATIONS

Duck Farm Dog Park »

Entrance is on Grand Avenue, east of Deep Lake Road in Lake Villa. This 48-acre fenced area features open fields and grass trails. Learn more »

Independence Grove Dog Park »

Entrance is on Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21), north of Buckley Road (Route 137) in Libertyville. This 30-acre fenced area features open fields, wooded areas and a pond for dogs to swim. Learn more »

Lakewood Dog Park »

Entrance is on Fairfield Road, north of Route 176 in Wauconda. This 66-acre fenced area features open fields and a shade shelter. Learn more »

Prairie Wolf Dog Park »

Entrance is on Waukegan Road (Route 43), north of Half Day Road (Route 22) in Lake Forest. This 44-acre fenced area features open fields and a pond for dogs to swim. Learn more »

Waukegan Savanna Dog Park »

Entrance is on York House Road just east of Delany Road in Waukegan. This 11-acre fenced area features open fields, a separate enclosed area for small dogs, shade shelters, toilets and drinking water. Learn more »