NORMAL - The City Council gave dogs some news to bark about Monday night: The town is getting its second dog park.

"The (Maxwell Park) dog park is so successful, the council decided to take a look at another location," said Parks and Recreation Director Garry Little.

The second park will be built east of the pavilion at Ironwood Park in north Normal.

"It's near a large residential tract at Ironwood, a large number of apartments and condos, and a large mobile home park," Little said. "A lot in the area will be able to walk to the park."

The new dog park will cover about three-quarters of an acre - about the same as its counterpart at Maxwell Park - and include similar amenities: a controlled entry area, benches for dog owners, and water fountains for dogs and others for their owners.

The City Council approved a $27,800 bid from Amco Fence Co. Inc., to fence in the area. Little said the park is expected to be up and running by mid- to late November.

Normal opened the Maxwell Park dog park just west of the horseshoe courts in 2004.

"It's become a very social atmosphere for dog owners and dogs," Little said. "Whenever you go by it's busy."

The park is among those listed on a variety of Web sites used by dog owners, he said, so it draws from outside as well as inside the community.

"When (dog owners) travel they look for dog parks and stop and take their dogs," Little said.

Maxwell's Dog Park is near Interstates 55 and 74. The planned Ironwood Dog Park will be close to Interstates 39 and 55.

"Dog ownership in this community is huge," Little said, noting that this year's Dog Days at Fairview Aquatic Center on Sept. 9 attracted more than 500 dogs. That's double the number of previous years.

"Some people waited over an hour," he said.

Because of its popularity, the town plans to have two sessions next year.

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At a glance

What does this mean to you?

Dog owners will have another place for their dogs to play free of a leash. A dog park is expected to open at Ironwood Park in November.

Background

The town's first dog park at Maxwell Park has been so popular, officials decided to consider a second location.

How they voted?

Unanimously.