Frankfort Bark Park
Welcome to Frankfort Bark Park. The Bark Park is a unique and special park for your four-legged friend. It is a members-only park, which means you must register your dog with the Frankfort Park District to receive an access card.
The Bark Park is located at 80th Ave. & Sauk Trail, northwest corner of Commissioners Park.
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 fundraising and community outreach, Operation Playground was able to complete this project without the use of any tax dollars.
Lights – Push Button to Start
Lights are available at the bark park October thru February from 4 – 8 pm. The activation button is located along the walking path as you enter the Bark Park and must be pressed in order for the lights to go on. The lights are on a timer and will turn off at 8 pm. If there are any issues with the lights during the 4 – 8 pm timeframe, please contact the Frankfort Park District at 815-469-9400.
Membership Season
June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025
Click Here to download the 2024-2025 Bark Park Registration Packet
Membership packets can be completed and emailed, mailed or dropped off.
To eliminate a gap in memberships, you can submit your application via email to registration@Frankfortparks.org
- Annual Fee: $60 per family* – Resident of Frankfort: $50 Membership plus $10 key card. (one time fee).
- Annual Fee: $70 per family* – Non-Resident: $60 Membership plus$10 key card. (one time fee).
- *Renewing members will pay $50 (resident) or $60 (non-resident)
(If you no longer have your key card, you will need to pay $10 for a new key card).
Important Dates and Details:
New memberships will begin June 1, 2024.
- 2024-25 keys will be available for purchase starting June 1, 2024.
- A 2024-25 registration packet needs to be completed.
- Bring a copy of your dog’s current shot records (these can be obtained from your veterinarian’s office).
- Registration packets can be found on the link above or at the Park District office.
Your membership dollars go back into the park to help maintain and improve it. This is a great park. Please abide by all rules, be good mentors to new members, watch your dog at all times, and most of all, enjoy your time at the park with your canine companion. This park was built for them.
Bark Park Newsletter Sign Up:
Frankfort Bark Park
Dog Park Etiquette & Precautions
Please take the time to read through this and educate yourself about the rules and etiquette. We take safety at the park very seriously. Familiarizing yourself with the rules and etiquette will help you and your pet enjoy your time at Frankfort Bark Park.
Note: For safety reasons, children 11 and under are not allowed in the dog run areas.
- Dogs can be unpredictable and rambunctious. Some dogs don’t respond well to children running by fast with arms flailing and yelling. Because of this, we highly recommend not bringing any children into the dog run areas for their own protection. Children should not handle any dog toys that are lying around in the park and should always ask the handler before petting a strange dog.
- Entering and exiting a dog park is a stressful and exciting event for a dog. Please allow others to enter and exit before you do. This will reduce stress and confrontations between dogs as they are entering the play areas. Be sure to securely close all gates behind you for the safety of all.
- After entering the park, let your dog off-leash. Leashed dogs feel threatened when they are around un-leashed dogs. If you are uncomfortable with letting your dog off-leash, don’t visit the park. If your dog wears a prong collar, it must be removed so other dogs do not get caught on it.
- Supervise your dog during the entire visit to the park. When a new dog enters the park, be aware of where your dog is. Having a group of dogs greet you at the gate can feel threatening to some dogs; don’t allow dogs to congregate around the entrance. Keep your leash with you at all times.
- Some dogs like to mount—if yours is one of these, you must immediately discourage this activity to avoid any aggression problems from other dogs, or leave the park.
- Dog fights are rare in dog parks, but if one does occur, the best method to break it up is to grab both dogs’ hind legs and direct them in opposite directions. Block any eye contact the dogs can make with each other. Dogs that remain unruly towards another dog must be removed immediately.
- If your dog injures another dog or owner, be sure to give your name and phone number to the injured party. You are legally and financially responsible for your dog’s actions and any harm it causes to others. See Dog Incident Policy.
- Pick up your dog’s droppings and any “orphaned” droppings; carry extra bags with you. Bags and waste receptacles are available. This is your park; help keep it clean and sanitary for all of our dogs.
Frankfort Bark Park is a Members-Only park. You must purchase a membership at the Frankfort Park District to gain access for you and your dog. Unauthorized entries will promptly be reported to the Frankfort Police.
Members are encouraged to call the Police to report an unauthorized entry.
Dogs at Parks
Dogs are allowed in the Frankfort Park District’s parks with certain limitations.
- Dogs must be on a leash (no longer than 6 feet) while in the park. Dogs are only permitted off leash in the Bark Park.
- Dogs are not allowed to run loose in the parks. Any animal found running loose may be reported to the police and taken to an animal shelter or public pound (at the expense of the owner).
- Dogs are not permitted in picnic areas, athletic fields or playgrounds.
- Cruel treatment and/or neglect of any animal are not allowed in the parks.
- “Predator” animals are not allowed on district property or natural areas unless they are confined and actively monitored by an adult owner in a closed vehicle.
- Dog owners must clean up and properly dispose of dog waste.
- Dogs must be under control at all times, and do not let them disturb other visitors or wildlife.
- Remember to provide your dog with plenty of fresh water.
- Please be aware of the signs that are posted in the parks regarding dog policies.
Honor Your Pet by Purchasing a Plaque
What better way to commemorate a past or present pet than by purchasing a plaque. Your purchase not
only honors that four-legged friend but helps maintain and enhance Frankfort Bark Park. The minimum
cost is $100 for an individual sponsorship, and 100% of that goes back into the park. A Bark Park plaque
is also a great gift idea for your favorite dog-owing friends or family.
Click here for Plaque Registration Form