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Join the MONDOG Team and the Alliance for the Great Lakes at this annual cleanup event.
You can register by going to the Allaince Website and finding "Montrose Dog Beach" under Upcoming Cleanup Events and register.
We will have all the materials that you will need for the cleanup: bags / recepticles for the trash, gloves, etc.
More information to follow.
There were only about 5 of us participating in the cleanup on the 7th. We did, nonetheless, collect about 12 large garbage bags of trash and recycling from the areas near the beach mostly along the rocks. The beach itself continues to stay pretty clean through daily efforts by various volunteers to keep it that way. Along the rocks on the north end of the beach and behind the fence, there was a particularly nasty area that was clogged with bits of styrofoam that the lake had literally thrown up onto the shore. Here are some before and after photos taken over the last few days.
Members of the Chicago Police Department have been handing out fliers in the vicinity of the dog beach that look like the ones shown below. They have also advised individuals that they may be giving out tickets to people that fail to obey the law.
Although the fencing has been repaired at the southern end of the beach and no longer presents a free entry onto the people beach, the fence that extends into the water is still open.
Due to various lake storms, additional sand is making the main line of fencing along the western length extremely short and can be easily breached by medium and large dogs.
On the north edge along the rocks / breakwater, the ice build up caused the fence to tear free and is down. Dogs willing to walk along the breakwater can escape.
Montrose Dog Beach was founded on a simple premise: “There is enough beach for everyone.” While our community has grown tremendously over the years, we believe the sentiment still holds true. We all love our slice of shoreline, but what many may not know is that the beach to our southeastern border is equally treasured by many species of birds and a large community of birders and nature lovers.
Unfortunately, the birders and nature lovers frequently contend with dogs that are illegally on both the main portion of the beach and in the two natural areas, Montrose Beach Dunes and Montrose Point. Dogs are not allowed in any of those areas whether leashed or unleashed.
The result, as the photo from a local birder shows, can be fatal for migratory birds that use the beach to rest and feed after long and exhausting migrations. Dogs are also a danger to the 11 bird species that nest at Montrose Beach. We’re sharing the stark photo of a Stilt Sandpiper, a rare bird for Montrose that was killed this past month by a dog that was on the beach illegally, to emphasize the importance of being thoughtful neighbors by only allowing dogs where they are permitted and always keeping dogs on-leash outside Montrose Dog Beach.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely part of the majority of people who love setting their pup free inside the dog beach, and then considerately leashes them on your way in and out. So we’re asking for your help to spread the word - both digitally and in person.
In short, DOGS MUST ALWAYS BE LEASHED OUTSIDE OF THE DOG BEACH, AND NO DOGS, LEASHED OR NOT, ARE EVER PERMITTED ON THE REST OF MONTROSE BEACH OR IN THE TWO MONTROSE NATURAL AREAS. Violators can be fined up to $500 by the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Animal Care and Control.
Thanks for your continued help keeping the beach safe, clean and fun for everyone.
While the County and Chicago Park District post a long set of rules for the Dog Friendly Areas, we would like to remind everyone who uses the DFA of these essential rules:
1. Be sure to get a new DFA tag at a participating local vet.
2. No food on the beach.
3. No prong collars.
4. No more than 3 dogs per person.
5. Pick up after your dog.
6. When you leave the Dog Friendly Area, make sure your dog is on a leash.
The Bag dispensers at the entrances have been a great help in keeping the beach clean, but they aren't free. Mondog purchases bags and fills the bag dispensers on the Dog Beach.
Donating to Mondog is a great way to support the dog beach, and keep those dispensers full. Help us help you keep Montrose Dog Beach safe and clean by making a donation today.
