We usually take our dogs to the dog park off of Mack Road (in Winfield?). They love it there, but it would be nice to have a closer option. Any of you have experience with the dog run area by SARC? It costs almost as much as a DuPage dog park license, so I wanted to know if it was worth it. Do many dogs (and their owners) use it?

We don't like it because it is not completely enclosed. Peppy puppies can easily run out into the parking lot and then to the streets beyond.

I have been there a few times...scofflaw style with a neighbor who "belongs"...was neither impressed nor unimpressed. Just a field with the occasional dog here and there. What really made the place stand out was the human clientele. The few times I was there I ran into a person who was offended that my neighbor's puppy approached and played with their dog. It was a weird vibe...by no means was that the only interaction that I had, but it sure stuck in my mind.

When I had a lot of time I used to go to Swift Road and head to the North over the hill rather than in the direction of the other dogs. Used to walk back into the NW corner and back a few times. Less people, more open space. Swift Road is pretty nice...lots to look at, lots of areas to walk around, good interaction with other dogs if that's what you are looking for. Just don't get why you have to pay one thin dime for the GEPD dog "area".

We used to go for a while but haven't in a long tme and don't intend to renew for there or Swift Road. Some folk love it, others don't. I tended to prefer it when the fewest folk/dogs were around. But there are many folk who meet up at regular times as a social thing.

In my opinion it is a lot nicer than the one off Mack. My dogs listen to COME pretty well, and by paying attention I never had a problem with them escaping to the parking lot.

A lot depends on how much you and your dog like other dogs (and people). Your dogs can be having a great time running around by themsleves, but you have to acknowledge that at any time another dog can run up to you or them with no telling what they have in mind or how well behaved they are. That can bother some dogs/owners. And there are tons of people who will encourage your dogs to lick them or jump up, which I dislike.

The Swift Road is really an incredible place, tho it can be quite muddy. And right by the parking lot there is a ton of poop folk haven't cleaned up. In the spring it was ugly as my dogs gorged themselves on dead fish after a die off. It has several lakes for them to swim in. But as a general matter, if you take your dogs there don't be surprised it they get filthy.

I agree clam, Spring Rd. should be free for residents. But in over a year of going there pretty regularly, I can only recall one occasion on which anyone checked passes.

I've never used the SARC dog park, but in all the times I've been to the rec center for various children's activities, I've never once seen anyone actually get asked about a pass. Worse comes to worse, one could use it and claim ignorance if caught, lol.

I drive past it often and almost always see tons of dogs in there. They even added obstacle course-like objects in there.