Lake Forest officials believe Forest Park Beach is one of the great assets of the community. Now they are reminding residents it is just for people, not for dogs.
Amid anecdotal reports of too many four-legged visitors, the city is launching an awareness campaign that canines are not welcome at the beach.
Lake Forest officials decided to add more bark in enforcing the regulation (enacted in 1993) after Alderman Edward “Ted” Notz (2nd) spoke out at an April 7 City Council meeting. Notz mentioned he has often seen dogs on the beach upon visits to the area with his wife.
“It seems like people are claiming ignorance on the dog policy or outright ignoring it,” he said in an interview after the meeting.
Moreover, the presence of dogs at the beach was a frequent topic at his recent ward meetings, Notz said. During those sessions, he heard anecdotes of dogs coming up to the residents invading their space and sniffing them. He also noted some owners were failing to clean up after their pets.
“We just need to communicate to residents more clearly that is a position the city feels the community wants,” Notz said. “So we need to message it better and need to enforce it otherwise will keep ignoring it.”
Notz received support from his fellow City Council members.
“If we have a rule, we have to enforce the rule,” said Alderwoman Eileen Looby Weber (4th.)
“That’s the only place in Lake Forest where you can’t have a dog,” added Alderman John Powers (2nd). “You can anywhere else.”
City Manager Jason Wicha sensed more people are bringing their dogs to the beach following last year’s completion of a new boardwalk allowing easier access to Forest Park Beach.
He added there are signs at the beach stating dogs are not welcome, but not always observed.
“My sense it is not so much ignorance of the policy, but defiance of the policy,” he said.
In response, the city has started has public relations and education campaign involving its weekly e-newsletter and social media. Part of the campaign is a reminder that violators can face fines of up to $750.
“It is meant to serve as a deterrent for habitual offenders,” Wicha said.
City spokeswoman Dana Olson said community service officers have also increased their presence at the beach.
“They’ve spoken with several individuals who had dogs with them, issued multiple written warnings, and are moving toward issuing more citations to encourage compliance,” she explained in an e-mail.
Up north in Lake Bluff, there is a designated area of Sunrise Beach permissible for people to bring their dogs, according to Lake Bluff Park District Executive Director John Bealer.
The dogs must have to have a tag on their collar to come on the beach, Bealer noted. The charge for the tag is $20 for residents within the Park District boundaries and $350 for non-residents.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
