Wentworth Park dog park is a gated, off-leash Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Area in Wentworth Park, in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood on the Southwest Side. It opened in June 2023 as “Wentwoof Park”, and in 2025 it was dedicated as the Ella French Dog Friendly Area. It is a compact, single space, so it suits local dogs who want a run more than a long outing.
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Inside the Wentworth Park dog park
Patch reported on 9 June 2023 that the dog park covers 6,050 square feet and gives dogs a “gated space where their dogs can run, play and sniff freely and safely off leash.” The same report lists a water feature and a coated asphalt surface.
At opening there was one shared space. Patch said an obedience training area and separate areas for big and small dogs were “under consideration for the future.” We have not found any report that these were added, so plan on small and large dogs sharing the area.
As with every Park District dog area, your dog needs a current permit tag to use it; the Chicago city guide covers the details.
Quick facts
- Park District address: 5625 S. Mobile Ave., Chicago, IL 60638 (the park’s address; the dog area is inside Wentworth Park)
- Hours: the Park District lists Wentworth Park as open 6am to 11pm daily
- Size: 6,050 sq ft
- Surface: coated asphalt
- Water: water feature
- Fencing: gated
Word from the neighborhood
Google reviews read in September 2026 describe the Wentworth Park dog park as a small, friendly local spot. Reviewers often mention the people and dogs being friendly and well behaved, and one daily visitor described a steady group of regulars. Another called it safe and clean.
The main wish is for a separate area for small dogs, which more than one reviewer raised. That matches what we found: the planned big-dog and small-dog split was only under consideration at opening, so small or timid dogs share the space with everyone else. One reviewer also wished for more turf, which fits the coated asphalt surface.
A recent reviewer also mentioned the Ella French statue beside the dog area, covered below.
Opening and the Ella French dedication
The dog park held its grand opening on Saturday 10 June 2023, with a 9:30am ribbon cutting attended by Ald. Marty Quinn (13th Ward), State Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar and Park District representatives, according to Patch.
On 31 August 2025, a bronze statue of Chicago police officer Ella French, who was killed on duty in 2021, was unveiled at Wentworth Park. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the statue stands near the dog park, which was dedicated in her name, and that it shows French with her dog Bella, whom she rescued after joining the force. The sculptor is Erik Blome. NBC Chicago reported that the adjacent dog park was dedicated as the “Ella French Dog Friendly Area.”
At the dedication, French’s mother, Elizabeth French, said Ella took Bella to the dog park often, and that she knew it made Ella happy to be watching the dogs that come to play at the Wentworth dog park (Southwest Regional Publishing, 1 September 2025). The Park District lists the statue at 5631 S. Narragansett Ave.
About Wentworth Park
Wentworth Park covers 15.81 acres. The Park District says it was created after World War II under its Ten Year Plan for new parks in fast-growing neighborhoods, with land bought between 1947 and 1955. The first improvements, in 1956, included athletic fields, courts, horseshoe pits and a playground. A recreation building and sun deck followed in 1964, and Kennedy High School opened nearby in 1965.
The park is named after “Long John” Wentworth (1815 to 1888), an early settler who owned much of the nearby land, served five terms in Congress and was twice mayor of Chicago.
Today the park has a fieldhouse with a gym and clubroom, a baseball field, a basketball court, an ice rink, a playground and a water spray feature, according to the Park District.
Other Chicago dog parks to try
- McKinley Dog Park, northeast of Garfield Ridge, with a separate small-dog area
- Calumet Park Dog Park on the Far Southeast Side lakefront
- Every dog area we cover is in the Chicago dog parks list
Wentworth Park dog park FAQ
What is Wentwoof Park?
Wentwoof Park was the name used for the Wentworth Park dog area when it opened in June 2023. Since August 2025 it has been known as the Ella French Dog Friendly Area.
Does Wentworth Park dog park have a small-dog area?
Not at opening. Separate big-dog and small-dog areas were under consideration in 2023, but we could not confirm they have been added.
What are the hours?
The Park District lists Wentworth Park as open 6am to 11pm. Patch reported “6 a.m. to dusk” for the dog park when it opened, so check the sign at the gate if you plan an evening visit.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Sources: Chicago Park District: Wentworth Park Dog Friendly Area, Chicago Park District: Wentworth (John) Park, Chicago Park District: Ella French artwork, Patch (9 Jun 2023), Chicago Sun-Times (31 Aug 2025), NBC Chicago (31 Aug 2025), Southwest Regional Publishing (1 Sep 2025), FOX 32 Chicago. Park details change, so check before you go.