Wiggly Field - Chicago Dog Park
Wiggly Field 2654 N. Sheffield
This Dog Park sometimes referred to as a “DFA” (Dog Friendly Area) was the first official dog park according to the Chicago Park District, the city organization that administers DFAs. This first dog park was the result of many hours of work by local residents and an organization known as D.A.W.G (Dog Advisory Work Group) was born with Stacy Hawk and Cynthia Bathhurst as co-founders. Both of these ladies put in untold unpaid hours and today many of us benefit from their visionary efforts. Many thanks to the group from a local neighborhood association that also donated their time and raised money to make this dream come true.
This park was then the model for other DFAs to follow; today there are 15 DFAs that are part of the Chicago Park District. Many other cities and community organizations continue to contact D.A.W.G. asking for information about how to set up dog parks in their neighborhoods.
Wiggly Field has features like double gates to thwart escape artist, doggy water fountains, informational kiosks and baggies to clean up after your dog. Many of the DFAs have similar features, but each park is just a bit different.
When I visited Wiggly Field with my dog on a hot July Sunday we had a great time. Apparently some volunteers supplied and filled a kiddie swimming pool for the doggies. The other visitors were all very friendly and the facility was clean. It does get a bit nosy when the “el” goes by, but the dogs seem to get used to it and soon ignore the roar.
Take a peek at the short video to view this Dog Friendly Location.
