Dog Walkers in Peterson Park

Peterson Park is a small neighborhood located in the upper northwest section of Chicago. It is surrounded by communities such as West Ridge, Arcadia Terrace, and Pulaski Park. The actual park in Chicago by the same name is located a few blocks to the west of the neighborhood, near North Park. Most of the area has a distinctly suburban atmosphere and Legion Park runs lengthwise along its western edge. The area is mostly residential with a few chain stores, restaurants, and businesses on the main thoroughfares.

Chicago is known for cold winter weather offset by beautiful summers. When walking in the colder months, it will be important to take precautions to keep your dog warm as the biting wind coming off of Lake Michigan can be brutal. Summertime will provide you with excellent weather to enjoy your walks either in Peterson Park or the areas surrounding it, but keep in mind that the pavement can get a little hot. 

Since it is further removed from the city than most Chicago neighborhoods, Peterson Park isn’t quite as flat as many areas in the city. However, there are still almost no significant inclines or hills, and the terrain is mild for walking, offering very few challenges for those who are not as experienced. It is suburban and residential, so the streets are all lined with trees and sidewalks and the only artificial aspects of the neighborhood are roads and houses.

Although it is greener than many areas in Chicago, the main function of Peterson Park is to be a neighborhood. It is small, friendly, and has an elementary school in its southeast corner, with little else in the way of major thoroughfares or commercial attractions. Because of this, the main area you will want to do most of your dog walking in the neighborhood is in the major greenway on its western edge: Legion Park. 

Legion Park is the only greenway in the Peterson Park neighborhood but its size and quality make it a great place for many different activities including dog walking. The park itself is 50 acres and its territory reaches out a fair bit. The park has multiple athletic facilities and a string of trails that run throughout its open green space. The entire park is bisected by a large stream that runs through the middle.

Just northeast of the Peterson Park neighborhood is Mather Park which is a small field geared toward athletic activities. Just a few blocks to the west of the neighborhood is a park that holds the same name as the neighborhood. Peterson Park is an important hub for Little League Baseball in the area, but it also has open green space and room for dog walking. The entire complex of North Park Village Nature Center has a wealth of greenery to explore with your dog.