USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS ON PARK DISTRICT PROPERTY
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Chicago Park District allows service animals to access most public areas within its property.
Definition
Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purpose of this definition. Miniature horses will be evaluated based on a case-by-case basis. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purpose of this definition.
Permission
A service animal is permitted in most public areas on Park District property UNLESS one of two exceptions is met: (1) The animal is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control it; or (2) The animal is not house-broken.
A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash or tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g. voice controls, signals or other effective means).
Service animals are not permitted in swimming pools or wading pools.
Service animals are permitted in locker rooms, but not indoor shower facilities. (For assistance in shower facilities, please alert park staff.)
If at any time, the sight, sound or scent of a service animal upsets zoo or nature area animals, causing them to become dangerous to themselves or others, Park District staff reserve the right to remove the service animal from the area.
Service animals must be in their official roles and under control at all times.
The Chicago Park District reserves the right to change, modify or amend this policy at any time as it deems appropriate.