Be a Doggone Good Neighbor and Please Follow the Rules for Pets

Monday, July 7, 2025

Naperville Park District’s trails and neighborhood parks are popular destinations for residents to walk their dogs. To ensure these locations are kept safe, clean, and enjoyable for all park visitors, the Park District wants to remind pet owners of the rules for dogs and other pets in public.

Naperville Park District Ordinance #641 and the City of Naperville’s ordinance highlight proper pet handling while in public. The following rules apply to all public locations within the Park District and the City:

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times. This will protect dogs from dangers such as traffic and other animals. It is also considerate to other people who may be afraid of dogs
• Dogs are not allowed to roam freely in parks including on ballfields, synthetic turf, splash pads and elsewhere. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Forest Preserve District of Will County maintain several dog parks in the Naperville area that can be used for recreation by dogs and their owners
• Pick up after your pet every time. While pet excrement is unsightly and affects the overall quality of a public space, it is also harmful to people and the environment. Dog waste contains bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that can be transmitted to humans and other wildlife. If left to decompose in the grass, those pathogens can be washed into local waterways during rainfall and can negatively impact local water quality

For the convenience of our park visitors, Mutt Mitt stations containing dog waste bags are available in several parks. For Mutt Mitt locations, Park District guidelines for dogs in the parks, and direct links to Naperville Park District Ordinance #641 and the City of Naperville’s ordinance, visit www.napervilleparks.org/dogsinparks.