News & Updates

Pup Pool Pawtie Canceled

Thursday, August 25, 2022

August 25, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

The District held a Pup Pool Pawtie on September 11 , 2021 at Splash Valley Aquatic Park. Being on September 11th, we held a moment of silence for those we had lost in the 9/11 attacks and rescue. After our moment of silence, the dogs entered the zero depth area to the tune of "Who Let the Dogs Out. The dogs played in and out of the water. Donated pup items were raffled off and each dog was offered a pup cup prior to leaving after their fun few hours. All dogs got along from the smallest to the biggest, youngest to old. It was an extremely popular and loved event by all. The district and dog families who attended followed the rules provided to us. As long as we would not be using the pool or facilities again for the season for any human patrons after the Pup Pool Pawtie, humans would not be swimming in the pools along with the dogs and the facility would be closed for the season after the event, the Department of Environmental Health did not see why we could not host

the event.

We are heartbroken, as we received information this week from IDPH that we can no longer host this wonderful event. The Kankakee County Health Environmental Services and Illinois Department of Public Health Environmental Health of Springfield recently addressed this particular situation. "The department licenses, swimming facilities in accordance with 210 ILCS 125, for which original and renewal licenses are valid until May 1 of each year, License issuance, and status of such a license, allows the swimming facility to operate in accordance with the Act and Code throughout the entire year , irrespective of the swimming facility being "opened" or "Closed" based on the facilities internal workings. The Department maintains a statutory responsibility to protect the health and safety of the public that may visit swimming facilities that are licensed through the duration of time the license is valid. The department maintains the position that pets are not permitted in a licensed swimming facility."

The Kankakee Valley Park District will cancel the Pup Pool Pawtie and replace the event with a Howl-O-Ween Pawty at our River Run Dog Park, located along the Kankakee River by the River Road Sports Complex. This event will be held Saturday October 15, 2022 from 10-1 pm. Our furry friends will trick or treat from booth to booth to check out the latest and cutest pet products, stop at a photo booth, have a bobb for tennis balls, and even create paw art. Please mark your calendars! We look forward to seeing you and your loved pets at our Howl-O-Ween Pawty!

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