Off-Leash Dog Area
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Off-Leash Dog Areas

WHERE IS THIS?
Hours:
Open daily, 6:30 am until 7 pm or sunset, whichever is later.
Scheduled Maintenance:
Duck Farm and Prairie Wolf Off-Leash Dog Areas are CLOSED until 11 am on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, April-October.
Independence Grove, Waukegan Savanna and Lakewood Off-Leash Dog Areas are CLOSED until 11 am on the first and third Thursdays of the month, April-October.

Off-Leash Dog Areas

We offer five uniquely different and pawsitively popular outdoor areas (often referred to as "Dog Parks" or "Dog Exercise Areas") where dogs can exercise, play, swim and socialize off-leash.

Permit Required

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

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 Permits

An annual permit allows access to all five of our popular Off-Leash Dog Areas. Annual permits for the next calendar year go on sale in early December.

Annual permits are valid for the calendar year only, and are not prorated. Fees are reduced when purchased from September 1 through early December.

During our busiest sales months of December and January processing times are a bit longer. Use your temporary pass as you await a permanent vehicle sticker in the mail.

Annual Permit Fee

  • $50 for the first dog, $20 each additional (up to 2 additional), Lake County residents
  • $150 for the first dog, $75 each additional (up to 2 additional), nonresidents

Reduced fees September 1 through early December:

  • $25 for the first dog, $15 each additional (up to 2 additional), Lake County residents
  • $75 for the first dog, $30 each additional (up to 2 additional), nonresidents

Purchase Online

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, 847-968-3404, 6:30 am-3 pm, weekdays.

To purchase a $5 replacement sticker, call or visit our General Offices in Libertyville, 847-367-6640, 8 am-4:30 pm, weekdays, or Operations and Public Safety in Lake Villa, 847-968-3404, 6:30 am-3 pm, weekdays.

Daily Permits

A daily permit allows you and your canine companion one day's access to all five Off-Leash Dog Areas.

Daily Permit Fee

  • $15 per dog (up to 2 additional), Lake County residents
  • $30 per dog (up to 2 additional), nonresidents

Purchase Online

Via mobile phone. Instructions and additional information.

 

Off-Leash Dog Area Gift Certificates

Give that special dog in your life the perfect treat.

To purchase, call or visit our General Offices in Libertyville, 847-367-6640, 8 am-4:30 pm, weekdays.

Off-Leash Dog Areas

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Duck Farm

Lake Villa

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Independence Grove

Libertyville

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Location_Lakewood_OLDA
Lakewood

Wauconda

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Location_PrairieWolf_OLDA
Prairie Wolf

Lake Forest

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Location_WaukeganSavanna_OLDA
Waukegan Savanna

Waukegan

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Using the Off-Leash
Dog Areas

Are there health and safety tips for visiting the Off-Leash Dog Areas?

For your dog's health and safety:

  1. Dogs must be at least 4 months old to visit.
  2. Determine if it's wise for your small dog or puppy to be off-leash with larger dogs.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Leave sick dogs home. They are not allowed in the area when ill.
  6. Show your dog you care by asking your vet about visiting here.
  7. 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.
  8. Make sure your dog is healthy and properly vaccinated against parvovirus and other diseases.
  9. 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 Off-Leash Dog Area?

Refunds are not available but we do recommend purchasing a daily permit first to test the Off-Leash Dog Areas. They are good at all five Off-Leash Dog Areas, 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 Off-Leash Dog Area.

Do you spray anything to reduce ticks at the Off-Leash Dog Areas?

We do not spray insecticide or use other methods to control tick populations. They are part of the natural system.

In Illinois, adult ticks are most active in April through June and again in early fall. 

If you are encountering numerous ticks we recommend discussing repellent options with your veterinarian and considering keeping your dog out of areas with tall vegetation during the peak times. We realize this is a challenge at the Off-Leash Dog Areas. On-leash excursions at nearby preserves with crushed limestone trails are an alternative option to reduce tick exposure and during muddy seasons. 

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Off-Leash Dog Area Rules

Rules and Regulations

For everyone's safety and enjoyment, please:

  1. 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, 847-968-3404, 6:30 am–3 pm, weekdays.

  2. Park in lots only. Loitering in lots is prohibited. Vehicles left after closing will be towed at owner's expense.

  3. Keep your dog leashed while in parking lots, walkways and unfenced areas. Close the fence gate behind you after entering the area.

  4. No more than three dogs per person are allowed during any one visit.

  5. Approved canine activities include swimming, dog exercise, retrieving, tracking, pointing and obedience training.

  6. Alcoholic beverages, food, treats, chews and rawhide are not permitted. 

  7. Horses, cats, other pets, game animals or birds are not permitted. 

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. You must remain in the Off-Leash 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. 

  11. 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 $120 fine.

  12. Violation of rules, regulations or restrictions may result in a fine and/or suspension of permit use.

Violations

Ordinance violations and fineable offenses:

  1. Clean up after your dog. Bags provided. Deposit bags and all other litter in proper receptacles.

  2. Control your dog and maintain visual contact and voice control at all times.

  3. 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.