Montrose Dog Friendly Area

Montrose Dog Friendly Area is Chicago’s first legal off-leash dog beach, established in 2000 by the volunteer-run Montrose Dog Owners Group (MonDog) founded by Susan Kimmelman. Located at 601 West Montrose Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood along Lake Michigan, this 3.83-acre designated Dog Friendly Area provides a safe space where dogs can swim and play off-leash under community oversight. MonDog, a completely volunteer organization, maintains the beach facilities including dog waste stations and operates a dog wash area, ensuring Chicago residents and their canine companions enjoy a clean and secure lakefront experience.