The venue will feature:

• Separate play areas for large and small dogs
• Grooming services
• Daycare and boarding
• A cafe and bar for owners

Zoomies fills a gap in Chicago’s dog park landscape — while the city has over 33 outdoor DFAs, indoor options for off-leash play during harsh winter months have been virtually nonexistent. The only current indoor option is Bosly’s Backyard in Ravenswood, which operates as a private-session facility.

The bar component makes Zoomies a social destination for dog owners, not just a play space. Stay tuned for opening date announcements.

The overhaul, which began in May 2025, expanded the dog park by approximately 25% and added significant improvements:

• New fencing throughout
• Additional seating areas
• Improved concrete surfacing and turf
• A brand new shade structure
• A second entrance for easier access
• A dual dog/human drinking fountain

The $600,000+ project was funded entirely by community volunteers through the Wicker Park Advisory Council — a remarkable demonstration of what organized community effort can achieve for Chicago’s dog parks.

The renovated park is located at 1425 N. Damen Ave in the Wicker Park neighborhood.

This represents a significant shift from the previous blanket prohibition on dogs in restaurant spaces. Under the proposed rules, restaurants could voluntarily register as dog-friendly establishments, giving diners the option to bring their well-behaved pups along for outdoor meals.

The ordinance is part of a broader trend in cities across the country to accommodate the growing number of dog owners who want to include their pets in more aspects of daily life.

If passed, this would complement Chicago’s existing network of 33+ dog-friendly areas by making the city even more welcoming for dog owners and their companions.

When completed, it will be the second-largest dog park in Chicago, featuring:

• Shaded plazas for comfortable visits in warm weather
• Splash pads for dogs to cool off
• A dedicated small dog area separated from the main space

The project reflects years of community input and fundraising efforts. Lakeview has long been one of the most dog-dense neighborhoods in Chicago, yet lacked a dedicated off-leash facility — a gap this new park will finally fill.

Fundraising is nearly complete, with construction expected to begin in the spring and completion targeted for later in 2026.

The project, scheduled for construction between 2026 and 2027, aims to transform the often-underused space beneath the ‘L’ tracks into vibrant community areas. The dog parks would add much-needed off-leash space to neighborhoods along the Red Line corridor.

This creative use of urban infrastructure follows a growing national trend of activating the space under elevated transit lines for parks, markets, and community gathering places.

Construction timelines are tied to the broader Red Line Extension project, so exact opening dates will depend on the overall project schedule.

The investigation found that:

• Only police can enforce off-leash dog laws, but most people don’t call police for dog violations
• When calls are made, violators are typically gone before officers arrive
• Responsibility effectively falls on dog owners themselves to self-police
• One documented incident at Churchill Park involved someone bringing eight dogs, some of which attacked another dog

The report underscores a reality many Chicago dog park regulars already know — the rules exist on paper, but compliance depends largely on community norms and peer pressure rather than formal enforcement.

Dog park advocates continue to push for better enforcement mechanisms, including dedicated park rangers or volunteer patrol programs.

Source: WBEZ Curious City