Location of proposed dog park:

2500 W Sunset Dr
Carbondale, IL 62901

About this community:

Carbondale (population 25,000) is the regional medical hub and home to the Southern Illinois University Salukis. Established in 1852 as a railroad town, it has the most diverse population in the region. It lies on the edge of the scenic Shawnee National Forest and several state parks and lakes. Orchards, fruit and vegetable farms, wineries, and breweries dot the countryside. Interestingly, it is the geographic crossroads of two total solar eclipses, in 2017 and 2024.

Why this community deserves a Bark for Your Park™ grant:

Carbondale deserves a PetSafe® Bark for Your Park™ grant because the need is great, the community has shown its support, and the region lacks areas where people from diverse backgrounds and their dogs can socialize informally. The Carbondale area has a limited economic base, with few tax dollars for public amenities. The Carbondale Park District manages several parks but lacks the resources for this project. In 2017, community volunteers created Friends of Carbondale Dog Parks to build an off-leash facility using only private funds. Sustained outreach and media coverage have earned it widespread support from individuals and organizations. At 2.5 acres, Carbondale’s first public dog park will be the largest in the region. It aims to attract dog lovers from near and far with events and activities. This community effort deserves – and needs – to win the $25,000 grant to fulfill Carbondale’s vision of an off-leash dog park for all.

How this community would use a Bark for Your Park™ grant:

With the generous support of individuals and organizations in the community and the Bark for Your Park™ grant, Friends of Carbondale Dog Parks will build a 2.5-acre off-leash dog park on Carbondale Park District property. It will have a 5-foot-high fence with large and small dog fields, multiple entry gates, water fountains, signage, and an ADA-compliant walkway and pavilion. The award of a Bark for Your Park™ grant will facilitate installation of the fence, the addition of agility equipment, educational signage, a dedicated activity area, and a donor recognition station. Carbondale’s PetSafe® Bark Park will highlight natural features such as boulders, tree stumps, and beautiful, ecologically-beneficial native landscaping to screen the park from the nearby school yard and soccer field.

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