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Fed Up Neighbors Take Initiative to Shade Their Pups at Challenger Bark

By Josh McGhee | August 13, 2015 9:49am
 Some pooches take a break from fetch to take advantage of the shade their humans provided.
Some pooches take a break from fetch to take advantage of the shade their humans provided.
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DNAinfo/Josh McGhee

BUENA PARK — A group of North Side neighbors are banding together to throw some shade at their local dog park.

Kent Thomas, a volunteer, who neighbors say leads the charge to advocate for changes in Challenger Bark Park, launched a GoFundMe Monday asking neighbors to donate $350 to plant three new trees at the park. So far, the page has received more than $200.

If they reach their goal, they'll plant three Autumn Blaze maple trees in time for the fall. The trees will cost about $290, and any leftover money will go toward materials that keep dog urine away from the trees and to purchase poop bags for the park, according to the page.

The park at 1100 W. Irving Park Road is officially called Challenger Playlot Park, according to the Chicago Park District website. But dog owners who visit the park daily call it "the neighborhood backyard" and consider it a great meeting place for neighbors and pooches alike.

 A neighbor started a GoFundMe to get Challenger Bark some new trees.
A neighbor started a GoFundMe to get Challenger Bark some new trees.
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DNAinfo/Josh McGhee

Early pictures capture the park in its younger beauty with two trees, nice gravel and red concrete. The park is in rougher shape nowadays, neighbors say, and has only one tree and a stump. The gravel is disturbed and the concrete is now a pale grey.

"A lot of the neighbors want the other tree replaced. The gravel is rough in a couple of spots and it would be really nice if we could get the water fountain repaired," said Susan Belles, pointing to the water fountain for dogs, which runs 24/7. The portion for human use doesn't work, she added.

As she spoke Tuesday afternoon, her poodle Tuxedo and his companions took a short break from fetch to find shelter from the sun under their owners at the lone park bench. Only a few pooches fit, and there's little shade elsewhere, owners say.

"I think the dogs and the people need some shade," said Belles. "There's only one bench so sometimes we sit on the edges. If you sit there you'll see those get pretty hot."

Neighbors have been talking about fixing the park for a while, she said.

"I'm glad someone took the initiative."

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