Membership Registration
A Park District of Highland Park dog park membership is required for admittance into the Park District’s off-leash dog parks. You will receive a key fob membership card within ten business days of successful registration. You must carry this key fob membership card with you when visiting all off-leash dog park areas. When renewing your membership, you will receive a renewal sticker to apply to your membership card.
- Registration for the off-leash dog parks can be completed online. Physical paperwork is also available at the Heller Nature Center and the Recreation Center of Highland Park.
- If you are a Highland Park resident, your dog must be licensed with the City of Highland Park and have a current dog tag before you can be issued your membership card. If you do not have a current City of Highland Park dog tag, you can apply for one here. City of Highland Park dog licenses and dog tags are valid from October 1 through September 30 yearly.
- Key fob membership cards and renewal stickers are mailed out, which can take up to 7-10 business days.
- Membership includes a parking decal for the Moraine Dog-Friendly Beach parking lot.
- Memberships go on sale on October 1 and are valid until September 30, annually. The membership fee is prorated based on the number of months remaining until the expiration date.
Debbie Gottlieb Beitler Dog Park
In Larry Fink Memorial Park, 701 Deer Creek Parkway
Open year-round.
A relaxed park-like atmosphere with separate off-leash exercise areas, depending on the size of your dog. For the safety of our dog park members and their pets, an electronic fob system has been installed at the Debbie Gottlieb Beitler Dog Park. Wash station available mid-April through October. Pickup bag dispensers and trash receptacles are also available.
Highland Park Golf Learning Center
2205 Skokie Valley Highway
Open mid-December through mid-March (dates are weather dependent). Opens Monday, November 25.
A large outdoor venue for your dog to run off some of that cabin fever energy. There are two off-leash exercise areas available, depending on the size of your dog.
Moraine Dog-Friendly Beach
2501 Sheridan Rd.
Open mid-April through mid-November (dates are weather dependent). Closes Friday, November 22.
Please be aware that due to several years of high lake levels and erosion, the beach has undergone physical changes since it last opened. The site is not completely enclosed.
However, in order to bring your dog, you must have a dog park membership.
A current parking sticker is required and must be adhered to your vehicle’s lower front window to park in the Moraine Park parking lot. A parking decal for Moraine Park is included with a dog park membership.
Annual Memberships
First Dog
Additional Dog
Resident
Must provide current City of Highland Park dog tag number
Non-resident
Must provide current rabies vaccination tag number.
Note: Each consecutive month after October 2024, all new and renewal memberships will be prorated based on the number of months remaining until the expiration date of September 30, 2025.
Hours of Operation
- Dog parks are open from dawn until dusk 7 days a week.
- The parks will close periodically for cleaning and maintenance.
Rules & Regulations
Membership may be revoked if rule is violated.
- Presentation of your key fob membership card is required for use of the parks and is not transferable.
- Owners/handlers are solely responsible for damage or injury caused by their dogs to another dog, person or park property.
- Dogs must be fully immunized and display City of Highland Park and rabies tags.
- Maximum of two dogs per person on any single visit.
- Dogs known to be aggressive are prohibited. Be prepared to leash your dog if it becomes aggressive.
- Dogs must wear collars at all times. Spiked or pinch collars are prohibited.
- Owners are responsible for immediately cleaning up and properly disposing of waste.
- Children must be at least 10 years of age to enter the off-leash area and must be closely supervised.
- Appropriate dog park behavior: no running, no chasing dogs, and no petting of other dogs unless permission is requested from owner first.
- Food is prohibited in the off-leash area.
- Designated small dog areas are reserved for dogs 25 pounds or less.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times when outside the off-leash area. Fines up to $500. City Ord. 61-09, J.35, p. 193-219 (Passed 10/26/09), Park District Ordinance No. 01-04, SECTION 2.03.
