Frankfort Bark Park opened in May 2007. Operation Playground led this project to completion. With the help of the Frankfort Park District (who donated the 3 acres), community volunteers, the generosity of local businesses who donated time, talent and materials, and the volunteers who conducted fund raising and community outreach, Operation Playground was able to complete this project without the use of any tax dollars.  In 2008, the Bark Park was recognized as one of the nation's top ten dog parks by Dog Fancy Magazine. The park's sophisticated card entry system that tracks dog vaccination records was a key feature that contributed to earning this recognition. 

In accordance with Phase 3 of the reopening of Illinois, the Bark Park at Commissioners Park will reopen on Friday, May 29. The Park District thanks you for your patience and cooperation during the Covid Pandemic closures. Bark Park memberships were set to expire on April 15th. The park closed on March 14, therefore current memberships will be extended through the end of June.

New memberships will begin July 1. Registration packets are available online.  Starting June 1, the office hours at the Founders Center, 140 Oak Street, will be 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Annual memberships that are not renewed by July 1st will be deactivated.

Click here for details and membership updates.

The Bark Park is divided into two run areas, one for large and a smaller area for small dogs. This provides a safer environment for smaller dogs. Other amenities include:

• Water spigot with easy access
• Waste stations with bags
• Paved parking lot - you and your four-legged friend are at the front gate in a minute
• A large common area entrance - perfect for small children to watch from a safe distance (children 11 and under are not allowed in the run areas, for their and the dogs' safety).
• Shade shelters to provide some protection from the sun on hot days 
• Wind shelter to make those colder days a little more tolerable while visiting the park
• Park lights - activated in the fall to help extend the available time to get your dog to the park after work. Lights are turned off at approximately 9:00 pm. 

The Bark Park is located at Commissioners Park, 80th Ave & Sauk Trail (the northwest corner). It is a members-only park, which means you must register your dog (or dogs) to access the park. Owners must fill out and bring the registration packet and fee to the Frankfort Park District to get their dog registered. Be sure to bring your dog's current vaccination records; key cards are not given to owners without this information. The state-of-the-art keycard system ensures that owners keep vaccinations up to date. Owners must provide verification of updated records as shots expire or risk having their card deactivated during the year. This proactive system is for the benefit of all member dogs.

The fee is $60 for Frankfort residents and $65 for non-residents. Registration fees help Operation Playground and the Park District maintain this beautiful park for your dog.

Memberships are accepted year-round. When you bring your paperwork in, please be sure to bring a copy of your dog's latest vaccination records. The Park District cannot issue a key card unless both the vaccination and registration forms are on file at the Park District office. Thank you.