Public parks are now off-limits to dogs in a northwest Chicago suburb.
Rosemont Park District's board decided this week to ban man's best friend from the village's parks in response to what a district spokeswoman said has been a series of recent safety issues.
Though signs have been up for some time, the district is now enforcing the rule, Director of Rosemont Parks & Recreation Karen Stephens said.
"During baseball games, people tie their dogs to the bleachers, and that's not safe," Stephens said. "People should have control of their dogs."
In one gated playground, people use the space as a dog park instead of the child safety zone it's intended to be, she said.
Stephens said the issue has previously been brought to the park district board, and the board took action Tuesday.
She emphasized the new rule isn't meant to be a cash grab, and district's staff won't be on the lookout for violators. Residents whose dogs are spotted in Rosemont's parks will be warned, she said, and if the behavior is repeated, a citation may be issued. The ticket likely wouldn't top $25, she said.
"We're not out here to fine people," Stephens said. "We're not that type of park."
