A. Operator Compliance: No person, including the village of Forest Park, shall be an operator of a dog park unless such dog park is in compliance with this section.
B. Fencing: A dog park must be completely enclosed by a contiguous fence with each entrance designed in such a manner as to secure against accidental opening.
C. Signage: There must be prominently displayed at each entrance to a dog park, a sign that sets forth the operator's rules for use of the dog park by patrons, which rules shall not be inconsistent with the requirements set forth in this section, including, without limitation, subsections D, E1, E2 and E3 of this section.
D. Leashes: Dogs must be on a leash when entering into and leaving a dog park. Dogs may be taken off a leash while within the dog park, except as necessary for the safety of the dog or patrons.
E. Dogs Only: The operator must institute a plan (e.g., licensing/permitting and/or use of a key or keycard system) satisfactory to the Cook County administrator for each dog park that reasonably ensures that access to the dog park is limited to dogs:
1. For whom there is written proof of an examination within the past year for any communicable diseases, including an examination of a stool specimen for internal parasites, and current vaccinations or titers if possible for distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus and bordetella (kennel cough), unless an exemption to this requirement has been granted by the Cook County administrator upon the written recommendation from the owner's veterinarian; and
2. Who are in compliance with rabies vaccination requirements of the Illinois animal control act 1 ; and
3. Who are currently licensed by the local government where the dog's owner lives.
F. Plan: The plan required by subsection E of this section shall be filed in writing with and must be approved by the Cook County administrator prior to the operator permitting patrons to use a dog park after the effective date hereof. Once approved by the Cook County administrator, any proposed change in the plan must be approved by the Cook County administrator prior to such change becoming effective.
G. Surveillance: The operator must institute a system of periodic surveillance to monitor compliance by dog park patrons with the operator's dog park plan and rules. The operator shall have a policy for those instances in which a patron does not observe the operator's rules. The operator shall permit the Cook County administrator to monitor and enforce compliance by dog park patrons with the operator's dog park plans and rules.
H. Waste Containers: The dog park must have covered leakproof containers available for storage of waste materials before disposal to control vermin and insects, which containers shall be periodically emptied and maintained in a sanitary condition.
I. Dog Park License Required:
1. No dog shall be permitted to enter a dog park unless a current dog park license issued by the village of Forest Park has been obtained. Each dog entering a dog park shall require a separate dog park license. Such license shall be valid for the period commencing on May 1 of each year and expiring on April 30 of each year. Fees shall be as follows:
a. Licenses:
(1) Residents of Forest Park:
Beginning on May 1, 2023: Twenty dollars ($20.00) for the first dog; five dollars ($5.00) for each additional dog.
A senior discount is available to Forest Park residents, sixty-five (65) years of age or older, only; the cost of the first dog shall be ten dollars ($10.00) and five dollars ($5.00) for each additional dog beginning on May 1, 2023.
(2) Non-Residents:
Beginning on May 1, 2023: Sixty dollars ($60.00) for the first dog; ten dollars ($10.00) for each additional dog.
Such license fees shall not be prorated for periods which may be less than twelve (12) months.
b. Keys: One (1) key will be provided at no charge upon payment of applicable license fee, as provided for above, and a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be charged for any replacement of a lost key.
2. Upon payment of the required dog park license fee and proof that such dog complies with the requirements of subsection E of this section, a dog park license tag will be issued by the village to the owner, and such tag must be worn on the collar of the licensed dog upon entry into the dog park and at all times while such dog is in the dog park. Upon payment of the required dog park license fee, the village will also issue a badge to the owner of such dog(s), which badge shall be worn by the owner upon entry into the dog park and at all times while present in the dog park.
J. Patron Compliance: Patrons shall comply with the operator's rules and regulations. It shall be unlawful for patrons to fail to comply with the operator's rules and regulations when using a dog park of which the village of Forest Park is the operator and any violation of the rules and regulations shall subject the patron to a fine pursuant to subsection K of this section. Each day on which such patron violates the rules and regulations shall constitute a separate offense.
K. Violation: All patrons shall comply with the operator's rules and regulations. Any violation of the operator's rules and regulations will result in a fine of fifteen dollars ($15.00). Upon proof that the patron complied with the dog licensing requirements of subsection I of this section by obtaining such dog park license within fourteen (14) days of the issuance of a citation for any such violation, such fine shall be voided. (Ord. O-33-06, 5-22-2006, eff. 6-1-2006; amd. Ord. O-32-08, 7-14-2008; Ord. O-06-21, 3-8-2021; Ord. O-18-23, 4-24-2023)