Dog walking in Bellwood

Bellwood

Bellwood is a heavily populated suburban area of Chicago. Be sure to keep your furry friend on a leash when walking along the city streets here. If you want to go for a jog or walk with your pup, connect to the main branch of the Illinois Prairie Path off Mannheim Road. This paved multi-use pathway is part of the National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Once part of the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad, this 16-mile branch stretches from Wheaton to Forest Park. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as you keep them on a leash no longer than six feet and pick up after them.

Roosevelt Rd/Des Plaines Ave

The Roosevelt Rd/Des Plaines Ave neighborhood in Forest Park, located about five miles east of Bellwood, includes a residential area, a shopping mall, and a pawtastic park. Take your pooch to the Miller Meadow-South Dog Park when you want to treat him to some off-leash play time. This three-acre area includes a two-mile trail and an outdoor shelter. You need to purchase an annual membership, and your dog must be current on vaccinations to use the dog park. If you want to take your special pal for a walk, put on the leash and hike along the trail system that loops through Miller Meadow to the east.

Park District

Located about four miles east of Bellwood, the Park District neighborhood of Forest Park has a few public parks for the family and an off-leash area for your canine pal to enjoy. Give your pup a chance to socialize with other four-footed members by taking him to the Forest Park Dog Park. This small lot is nestled in the corner of Circle Avenue and Lehmer Street. Dogs must be licensed and up-to-date on vaccinations to use the park. There are benches, a water fountain, and waste receptacles in the enclosed area. Remember to pick up after your pup while using this facility.

Southwest Historic District

The Southwest Historic District of Oak Park, just 5.6 miles east of Bellwood, includes residential areas and parks. One place where you can take your furry friend to get some exercise is to the Maple Park Dog Park located on S Maple Avenue. This 12,000 square foot facility has a crushed granite surface and includes benches and a water station. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pups. You can obtain an permit to use this park by presenting your dog's license, proof of current vaccinations, an application form, and the annual fee at one of the registration locations in Oak Park.

Broadview

Broadview shares a border with the southeast corner of Bellwood and is a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood. From here, you and your pup have easy access to the Salt Creek Trail in Twenty-Sixth Street Woods West. This 7.1-mile mixed-use trail stretches from Bemis Woods South to Brookfield Woods. Walk or jog with your pup to get some exercise in the pupful greenway area. You can find parking off 26th Street between 25th Avenue and Maple Avenue. Dogs are welcome to accompany you on this trail as long as they're on a leash and you clean up after them.