Help Name Grey Park’s New Off-Leash Dog Area, Community Contest Now Open

The Evanston Parks and Recreation Department and Fourth Ward Councilmember Jonathan Nieuwsma invite community members to share creative name ideas for the new dog park coming to Grey Park in the spring.

How the Contest Works:

Everyone is invited to dream up their punniest, most creative, Evanston-inspired dog park names and submit them online. Community members will be prompted to provide their name, contact information, and their suggested dog park name. 

Have more than one great idea? Feel free to submit multiple entries. Councilmember Nieuwsma and Parks and Recreation staff will select the top ten names, and then the community will have the opportunity to vote.

Contest Rules:

• Suggestions are limited to 35 characters or fewer.
• There is no limit on the number of submissions. If you have more than one idea, community members can submit them separately. 
• Please keep your suggestions appropriate. The City’s Parks and Recreation team will not accept names with profanity or inappropriate language.
• The name of the winning participant will be shared publicly. 
• By submitting a suggestion, you permit the City of Evanston to use your entry in a public and official capacity, including, but not limited to, press releases, signage, city documents, and the City’s website and social media channels.

Contest Timeline:

After submitting your dog park name(s), the community will have the opportunity to vote on the top ten. More information to come.

The winner will be announced at the City Council meeting on March 23.

• Feb. 10 - Feb. 22: Community members submit dog park name ideas with this form (form closes at 10 p.m. on February 22, 2026).
• Feb. 23 - Feb. 27: Councilmember Nieuwsma and Parks and Recreation staff select the top ten names.
• March 3 - March 16: Community members vote on their favorite name. (Voting ends at 10 p.m. on March 16).
• March 23: Contest winner and dog park name announced at the City Council meeting.

Questions? Contact Tim Carter, Lakefront and Athletics Division Manager, at timcarter@cityofevanston.org.

For more information, call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, community members may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.