SOUTH LOOP —For the last few days, South Loop pups have been flocking to Fred Anderson Park to frolic like they've never been able to in this part of the city. But it's hard to tell who's enjoying the new dog park more: the canines or their two-legged companions.
Sally Steele, 29, has brought her three dogs down to the park at 1629 S. Wabash St. for the last three days and says it's a great meeting spot for the developing neighborhood.
"Dog owners tend to become friends. It'll be really nice to meet new people and neighbors. This is huge for the South Loop. It'll help bring the community together," said Steele, who hasn't met many neighbors since moving to the neighborhood about a year ago. "It's pretty much the best thing that's happened all year."
The construction gates came down Tuesday, park district officials said.
"We've been here everyday for three days and we'll definitely be here everyday," she said smiling as she tossed a tennis ball to one of her little friends.
The park, which is named after famous saxophonist Fred Anderson, who died in 2010, was designed by architectural firm Altamanu and built by Robe Construction Inc. About a half acre, it features two gated areas designed to separate the smaller, more gentle dogs from the bigger, more rambunctious dogs, according to signs posted at the park.
"It's great to have the option to separate them. This way I can monitor if there's a dog they're unfriendly with, we can go to the other portion," Steele said.
The dog-friendly area has artificial turf surrounding mounds for the pups to play and a drinking fountain for hounds thirsty after playtime. Other features include planters, concrete walkways, lighting, benches, picnic tables, shade canopies and ornamental fences.
It's a big deal to Bob Wilson, who had to keep constant watch of his small dog, Ami, at the ungated green space where they normally play.
"It's really cool and we're super excited," he said entering the park Thursday morning. "Two days ago we had the place to ourselves. She was running like never before. I was delighted for her.
"This is where to be. It's first class," Wilson said smiling as he unleashed Ami to play in her new favorite place.
When Erienne Byers' dog, Peewee tried out the small lot playing for a bit before becoming infatuated with a companion on the other side of the fence. The two stared lustfully through the black bars until Byers opened the gate separating them. She immediately regretted the move when Peewee was forced to hide under a bench to escape a bigger foe.
"I love it. It's great. It's beautiful and it's really functional. There are a couple in the area but this is definitely the most functional," Byers said returning the German Shepherd-terrier mix to the smaller lot after only a few minutes with the big boys.
"She likes running around with the big dogs but it's nice to have the option," she said remembering when Peewee, who she got from the anti-cruelty society, would get scared as the train would run near Coliseum Park a little up the block at 1466 S. Wabash St.
Before Byers, a graduate student, would take Peewee to either Coliseum Park or as a special treat Grant Park to run for a bit. Now, they're never going back to Coliseum Park, she said.
"It's narrow and when the train was up there she got spooked. All the dogs she's familiar with there I've already seen here. I'll never need [to go back] with this in our back yard," she said.
Byers has been in the South Loop for about three years and has seen the amount of dog owners triple. She thinks Fred Anderson Park finally gives the developing neighborhood an identity.
"Lincoln Park has all the baby strollers maybe we have all the dogs," she said with a smile.
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