Don’t even think about taking your dog to the beach in Evanston this summer until you’ve downloaded the 2018 Dog Beach Packet, now available on the city’s website.
And be sure to allow plenty of time to absorb the five pages of rules, regulations, and directives included in the packet before you head to the dog beach, located just north of the Church Street launch facility, at 1631 Sheridan Road.
For example, did you know that if you want to go into the water with your dog, you can’t go in any further than knee-depth? Presumably that’s your knees, not the dog’s knees.
And did you know that “attempting to break up a fight between dogs can be dangerous and may result in you being attacked by the dogs or assaulted by the owner(s)”?
That’s one reason why city employees will not try to break up fights between dogs. That’s the responsibility of the respective owners.
It’s all there in the beach packet.
Hopefully, your dog has already been vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Para-influenza, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis and Bordetella (kennel cough), for that is required to get your dog beach permit. .
Also, be sure to have a stool specimen test by a veterinarian’s office for internal parasites.
The dog beach is open from April 1 through mid-November and the hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Oh, and one last thing: When you go for your permit, make sure you have plenty of money in your checking account, as the fee is $60 per dog if you are an Evanston resident or $120 per dog for non-residents.
Oh, and another thing: Sunbathing is prohibited on the dog beach. No chairs, beach towels, or blankets are allowed.
And children (who must be supervised by an adult) must be at least 10 years old, or at least 50 inches tall. Better bring a tape measure, just to be on the safe side.
And did we mention that digging is not allowed? “Any holes created by a dog must be filled immediately by their owner/handler.”
It’s in the rules.