WINNETKA, IL — In response to public complaints about dogs not being leashed at the Centennial Park dog beach, the Winnetka Park District is considering changing the rules and going off-leash.

Currently, dog owners at Centennial Dog Beach are required to keep control of their dogs to prevent them from running at large in the area. According to reports from the Cook County Department of Animal Control, residents reported some dog owners were letting their pets off leashes despite the rule.

In 2023, the Park District installed temporary fencing for a short time before they were advised to take it down due to lack of permitting approval. Since then, the on-leash rule hasn’t been as heavily enforced, according to members of the Park District Board of Commissioners.

“By our Ordinance 596, we require dogs to be on leash at Centennial Beach. This is something that we have not enforced, and it is now come to the attention of Cook County, and they are requesting that we remedy that,” Executive Director Shannon Nazzal said.

In response to the complaints and requests from Cook County Animal Control, the Park District decided at the March 20 Board meeting to look into getting approval for a new temporary fence to allow dog-owners and their pets to enjoy the beach unleashed.

At the meeting, many residents spoke in support of making the dog beach off-leash, stating that Centennial has important community value.

“If there’s anything we’ve learned over the last five years of a closed Elder Beach and proposed land swap deal, it’s that you don’t mess with the dog owners of Winnetka. The dog beach is not moving off the shores of Lake Michigan,” resident Jennifer Hernandez sad at the meeting.

Going forward, the Park District said they will need to work with Village officials as well as Cook County Animal Control to develop a plan and meet the requirements to install the fence. In the past, according to Commissioner Warren James, the Village has denied the Park District the opportunity to reinstall a fence.

The cost to install a fence would be approximately $6,000, accord to the Board, while enforcement of the current leash ordinance would cost $34,500.