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Board Info

The Montrose Dog Friendly Area Committee, often referred to as the Board, consists of a group of dedicated volunteers who are committed to the MonDog Mission. Our primary focus is to help make the Montrose Dog Friendly Area at the beach stay fun, clean and safe. To this end, the Board organizes several activities such as beach cleanups, fund raisers for purchasing cleaning supplies and dog waste bags, and fun events. Board members also try to remind dog owners who use the beach to follow the etiquette and always cleanup after their dog.  As the Park District sign says, there is no poop fairy.

MONDOG is the Park Advisory Council for Montrose Dog Beach under the Friends of the Parks.

The Chicago Park District takes care of the larger maintenance items such as providing refuse containers and emptying them, cleaning the beach with the "beach zamboni", and relocating sand.

Individuals interested in participating more should contact the Board by writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by participating in one of our events.

The current Board members are:

 

President - Billy Sonntag

Vice President - Sheri Rush

Secretary - Caty Norman-Burke

Treasurer - Mike Burke

Tech/Web - Mike Burke

Social Media - Shelly Burke

Cleanups - Sandra Korbar

At Large - Paul Fehrenbacher

 

Senior member - Beth Smith

 

Here is a photo of many of our Board Members who attended Santa Paws V.

 

 

 

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Here is a list of races that the Chicago Tribune has reported on that take place at Montrose Harbor and may effect entry to the dog beach. 

 

 

5/26/19 5:30 AM - 12:00 noon Bike the Drive

 

6/1/19 9 AM DASH for Detection

 

6/2/19 7:30 AM PAWS 5K

 

6/29/19 7 AM Proud to Run

 

7/13/19  8:30 AM 5K to End Homelessness

 

9/22/19 10:30 AM Chicago Lung Run

 

See also the Chicago Tribune

 

Montrose Dog Beach is open all year.  

 

During the winter months, various conditions can make using the beach more challenging.

 

It is often windy at the lakeshore, so you can expect it to be colder as the wind chill takes effect.

 

Winds and cold temperatures can build up ice on the beach, the fences near the water, and on the lake.

 

If a lot of ice builds up on the lake, an ice shelf can be formed.  These can be extremely dangerous. People and their dogs should stay off the ice shelves.

 

We are traditionally challenged by the cost of keeping dog waste bags available at the beach.  We generally spend $1500 or more per year.

The board has decided that if we could find and acknowledge sponsors for each month, we could cover this cost and have a little left over for projects.  A sponsor could deduct this sponsorship as either advertising or a charitable donation to Friends of the Park, which is a 501c3 that we are affiliated with.  Since usage and awareness of MONDOG varies by season, the sponsorship would also vary by season: $120 per month for winter, $160 per month for spring and fall, and $200 per month for summer. 

If you or your organization is interested, the sponsorship of individual months for the next year are available at our online store.  Just click on the Donation Store along the top of our website page or click here.

Access to the Montrose Dog Beach for people and dogs is ALWAYS FREE unless the Chicago Parks District has set up a special event. In the case of the Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs) this is seldom to never.  However, another nearby event may restrict access to the DFA; but, going to the DFA is FREE.

There have been reports on our Facebook Page that people are trying to get admission fees for the Dog Beach.  These are SCAMS!  DO NOT PAY THEM!

This is not to say that you shouldn't follow the rules and have a DFA Tag to enter the Dog Beach.  These cost $5 - $10 from your vet and are good for the entire year.

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.

 

Sandpiper being attacked by a off-leash dog


Those bags aren't free!

DONATE TODAY! 

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. Your donations are tax deductible.

 

 

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Montrose Dog Beach