Groups debate dog ban in Maggie Daley Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Frustrations were unleashed in a meeting Tuesday night held by the Grant Park Conservancy, a key parks group in support of the Park District's dog ban at the new Maggie Daley Park.

"I think one of the things is there would be a lot of destruction of landscaping," says Bob O'Neill of the Grant Park Conservancy and Advocacy Group. "And the other issue is I think families with younger children would be intimidated."

But residents of the high rises located across from the park disagree, saying green space is at a premium in this densely-populated area.

The Park District says it has no intention of lifting the dog ban, citing two other nearby dog parks: Lake Shore East Park and South Grant Park.

This isn't the first time a park has sparked a dog debate. Dogs are also banned at adjacent Millennium Park and the nearby Cancer Survivors Garden, where dog urine a few years ago killed some of the grass.

At Fulton River Park on the Near West Side, dog waste the past two summers has limited the number of movies shown in the park.

And at Mary Bartelme Park in the West Loop, some say the hills are no longer fit for kids.

"This is a good place to sled, but then you run into landmines when you're trying to enjoy sledding," says Colin Fewer, a resident.

Though city officials were not at Tuesday's meeting, comment cards collected will be forwarded to the Park District.