Half-price 2026 dog park permits go on sale July 1
Half-price 2026 dog park permits will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, July 1.
Permits can be purchased online, in person at five visitor centers or by mail, and they can be used at all six off-leash dog parks through the end of 2026.
To purchase a permit online, visit the dog parks page. A $2 service fee will be charged for all online permit sales.
Permits can be purchased in person at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township and Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet.
Permits also can be purchased through the mail by downloading the online dog park permit application and mailing it to the Sugar Creek Administration Center.
Half-year permits decrease from $40 to $20 for Will County residents and from $80 to $40 for nonresidents. Seniors, veterans and active-duty military get a $10 discount, so half-year passes are only $10 for residents and $30 for nonresidents. (Multiple discounts cannot be applied.)
The fees for each additional dog ($20 for residents; $30 for nonresidents) remain the same. Each dog park permit holder is allowed a maximum of three dogs.
A daily permit costs $5 for both Will County residents and nonresidents, and it is good for up to three dogs.
Dog park permits are required for entry into the dog parks, which are located in the following preserves: Forked Creek Preserve – Ballou Road Access, Wesley Township; Hammel Woods – DuPage River Access, Shorewood; Lower Rock Run Preserve – McClintock Road Access, Joliet; Messenger Marsh, Homer Glen; Plum Valley Preserve, Crete Township; and Whalon Lake, Naperville.
A current rabies tag number and expiration date must be provided in order to purchase a dog park permit. Dogs must be at least 6 months of age to use the dog parks. A full list of rules is posted on the dog parks page.
