Library launched for dog park members 

Have you been to the Forest Park Dog Park and realized you forgot a tennis ball to play fetch with your pup? Or a poop bag? Sounds like a ruff day. 

That’s no longer a problem for over 90 members of the Forest Park Dog Park at 632 Circle Ave., where the village’s recreation board and library collaborated to launch a dog library full of free toys, treats and dog-themed books. On Saturday, residents, public officials, Forest Park Public Library staff and volunteers met at the library and paraded to the dog park for a ribbon cutting. 

“I know people love their dogs so much, so I thought this would be a fun way to gather people together, promote the village’s dog park and do something fun and cute,” Alicia Hammond, the library’s community engagement manager who thought of the dog library, told the Review. “It’s a fun way to bring the community together and something a little unexpected for the library. We like to figure out new ways to keep people interested in the community.” 

The dog library houses items for dogs, like poop bags, new and unopened treats, toys and clothes that are new or used and cleaned, and clean, unused collars and leashes that aren’t retractable. For humans, the library has dog-related books.  

It will be replenished by donations, so village and library representatives ask that dog park members only take an item or two, and leave items that are clean and in good condition. 

The dog library looks like a free little library box that would normally hold books, but it’s closer to the ground. 

“You can open up the door and your pup could put their paws on the bottom, if they want to pick out something,” said Amy Binns-Calvey, chair of the village’s recreation board. Her husband, Geoff Binns-Calvey, built the structure. He added a tube on the side of it that drops a tennis ball after a dog takes one. 

Also on the side of the dog library, Geoff affixed the profile of a dog that resembles the Binns-Calvey’s 17-year-old mutt Greg who died a few years ago. 

Amy said the library will enhance the dog park a bit, “the same way that the agility equipment in the park adds a little. It’s not just a big empty lot. It’s nice to see some more interactive elements to that little dog park.” 

Pet programming

Last summer, the library launched a pet bandana giveaway, where they passed out bandanas with the library’s logo on it to pet owners. Forest Parkers then submitted photos of their accessorized cats, dogs – and even a tortoise and a guinea pig – to the library, where they were displayed and uploaded onto Facebook. 

After the giveaway’s success, Hammond said she started looking for other ways that library programming can serve residents with dogs. 

At the dog library’s launch, the library passed out its pet bandanas, and Animal Care League representatives offered resources. The village had dog park permit applications available for those who want access to the park. At the end of last year, the park had 102 members.  

Park permits expire annually on April 30. For Forest Park residents, permits cost $20 for the first dog and $5 for each additional dog. For senior residents ages 65 and older, permits cost $10 for the first dog and $5 for each additional dog. For non-residents, park membership is $60 for the first dog and $10 for each additional dog. Park members can acquire permits for up to three dogs. 

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