TP_071819

tinleyjunction.com life & arts
the Tinley Junction | July 18, 2019 | 17
Dogs, owners enjoy fun in the sun at Doggy Beach Paw-ty
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
Crestwood residents Chris Boyd and Morgan Ignacek’s
yellow lab, Moose, plays a game of fetch at the Doggy
Beach Paw-ty Saturday, July 13, at Canine Campus Dog
Park.
The Tinley Park–Park
District is known for providing
the community with
opportunities for fun in the
sun all season long with its
White Water Canyon Water
Park, summer camps,
concerts in the park and
much more.
Summer fun went to the
dogs on Saturday, July 13,
as the park district hosted
its annual Doggy Beach
Paw-ty at Canine Campus
Dog Park. The free event
featured doggy pools, bandanna
decorating, photos
and much more for fourlegged-friends
and their
two-legged companions to
enjoy.
“It's a great time,”
Recreation Supervisor
Meghan Fenlon said. “The
dog owners get along so
well. They really love to
socialize together along
with the dogs. It's a good
time for everyone who
comes out.”
Crestwood residents
Chris Boyd and Morgan
Ignacek had a great time
watching their yellow lab,
Moose, run, play and meet
new friends.
“We were excited about
the pool party aspect, to
get him to socialize and
have fun with friends.
He loves other dogs and
people so we wanted him
to experience everything,”
Ignacek said.
Boyd added that he was
also having a good time at
the event.
“It's not too hot today
and it's nice to be out in the
sun on the weekend with
no work,” Boyd said.
Tinley Park resident
Barbara Rodak and her
lemon beagle Kaja are
members of Canine Campus
and they love spending
time at the dog park.
“I like it here because I
can give her freedom,” Rodak
said. “She's a hunting
dog so she likes to run and
chase and play with other
dogs. Yesterday we spent
two hours here and she
was so tired. She likes to
play with big dogs because
she's got a strong build.
She loves it here.”
Fenlon explained that
Canine Campus is designed
to accommodate
Tinley Park resident Christine Cichon and her dog Ogden enjoy the Tinley Park-Park
District’s Doggy Beach Paw-ty. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
dogs of all breeds and
sizes.
“Typically, when we're
not having an event, we
have a small dog run, a
large dog run and one
that is kept to the side as
the grass heals. There's a
lot of play structures out
there,” Fenlon said. “It's
a great way for dogs to
come and play and get
some socialization with
each other.”
Throughout the event,
attendees had the opportunity
to win raffle prizes
including a large basket of
doggie goodies donated by
NAWS, the Mokena-based
humane society, which had
a booth, volunteers and
adoptable dogs on-site.
Connie George, a NAWS
volunteer and Resale for
Rescues resale and gift
shop owner, shared information
about adoption,
spaying and neutering as
well as fostering hospice
pets.
“We have wonderful
dogs, like the ones we have
here today that just want
a home. We want people
to think of NAWS as one
of the places to consider
when picking out a dog,”
George said, noting that
cats are also available for
adoption. “Oh my gosh,
we have so many kittens,
we have so many cats.
Unfortunately, it's been a
really heavy kitten and cat
season because a lot of the
feral cats aren't spayed or
neutered.”
The dog days of summer
won't last forever, but the
Tinley Park–Park District
has more in store for petlovers
this fall.
“Our next dog event
will be in September and
that's our fall Pup-kin
Fest. We'll have a fall photo
area, we'll have raffles,
we’ll do giveaways, we'll
do a costume contest and
all dogs get a pumpkin
when they leave,” Fenlon
said.
Canine Campus Dog
Park is located at 18200
84th Ave. More information
about becoming a
member can be found at
www.tinleyparkdistrict.
org.