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BY ALANNA GROSS
Times Correspondent | Friday, April 21, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
HOMEWOOD | Local area dog owners are taking advantage of the warm weather and heading off with their furry friends to Rover's Run Dog Park.
Rover's Run, located two blocks east of Center Avenue on 191st Street, is a three-acre fenced area where unleashed dogs can frolic and play.
The park also has a separate fenced-off "Quiet Zone" where owners can train their dogs one-on-one or puppies can be placed until they learn how to socialize with other, larger dogs.
Homewood resident Beth Lichtenberg tries to bring her 2-year-old labradoodle, Chloe, out for a run everyday.
"Puppies need a lot of exercise and I think that it's great that she has a place to run around off leash."
"I bring Chloe out in the mornings after I drop the kids off at school and it's great. She's too worn out to come home and chew up the couch," Lichtenberg joked.
Rover's Run is a Cook County-regulated membership only park. Dogs must be fully immunized, dewormed, and licensed. A separate copy of current vaccinations must be included with the registration form prior to membership along with a veterinarian's signature.
"You'd think that in the winter months, people wouldn't use the park as much," said Megan Owens, Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's recreation supervisor. "Surprisingly, we have found the opposite to be true. Members bring their pets here if snow is on the ground or if it's raining outside."
Doris Phillips, of Matteson, has a hard time taking Mya, her boxer mix to Rover's Run during the week, but looks forward to the weekends when the two head off for an afternoon of fun.
"Mya enjoys coming out here," Phillips said. "There is a real chemistry among the dogs. The runners hang out together and it just wears them out. The real trick is getting her back into the car."
Homewood resident Sam Tangri frequents the park with Toby, a Papillion-Sheltie mix, and Mack, a Peke-a-Poodle, just about every day.
"Every pet needs its exercise," Tangri said. "I love coming out here with these two."
As Tangri looked on while Toby and Mack ran off to the far corner he commented on the special relationship and bond that owners develop with their pets.
"I wish every town had a dog only park," he said. "Not only is it great for the dog, but it brings people in the community who share a love of animals together."
More information:
Each applicant may register up to three dogs. Annual membership fee is $15 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. After the first dog the fee will be $1 for each additional dog.
Membership tags may be purchased at:
* Goldberg Administration Office 3301 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor, IL 60422, (708) 957-0300 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* Marie Irwin Community Center 18120 Highland Ave., Homewood, IL 60430, (708) 957-7275 from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
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