'It Was A Dream': Manhattan's Dr. Scott Dog Park Opens To Eager Pups, Owners

MANHATTAN, IL — It didn't take long for the whole place to go to the dogs.

Manhattan's Dr. Scott Dog Park opened Monday, with four-legged customers already romping around in the space designed just for them.

The 1.5-acre park at 15601 Sweedler Road is named in tribute to the late Dr. Scott Becker, a veterinarian known for his compassion and kindness toward both the four-legged kind and their humans. Becker died suddenly in 2020 at 40 years old.

His widow Kate Gooding was on-site to cut the ribbon that let the dogs out.

"It was a dream!" Gooding said. "Great turnout and seeing all the dogs run into the park for the first time got me all teary-eyed! It was a beautiful evening, that’s for sure!"

The multi-partner project is the result of intergovernmental cooperation and public-private partnerships, with the Village, Manhattan Park District, Metra, and sponsors working together to build and outfit the town's newest amenity.

In an effort to honor Becker, Gooding contributed $20,000 raised after his passing toward the park's creation. The Village, the Park District and Metra agreed to a long-term land lease for the park, at the station off Sweedler Road. The Village was responsible for constructing the park, with the park district managing operations and membership. Private donations and sponsorships have made the park project possible. Earthrise Energy donated $50,000, and Girl Scout Troop 75599 donated $500 for the park.

The park features separate, fenced areas for large and small dogs, making it a safe and comfortable environment for dogs of all sizes. It includes benches, shade structures, and water stations for drinking and washing off pets to ensure both pets and their humans are happy and comfortable.

Grand Prairie Animal Hospital donated a water station and two pet waste stations, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce donated a second water station, and Dynasty Utility Services donated approximately $7,000 in infrastructure services.

"Dr. Scott Park is more beautiful than we ever imagined," Gooding said. "Thank you for your hard work, heart, and dedication. We’re forever grateful to be part of something so meaningful for our community.

"And of course to every single person who selflessly donated after Scott died. YOU helped bring this dream to life! I know Scotty had a big, heavenly smile on his face last night! So thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

Mayor Mike Adrieansen celebrated the creation of a park he'd long dreamt of bringing to the community.

"... today marks a moment we’ve been looking forward to for quite some time," Adrieansen said Monday.

"Bringing a dog park to Manhattan is an idea I’ve had for years. Early on, we looked at several vacant lots the Village owned, but once we started adding up the costs for parking, water and electric, it just didn’t seem feasible. That’s when our Public Works Superintendent, John Tyk, had a brilliant idea: 'Why not ask Metra if we can use their lot out here?' I immediately knew, that was the solution."

The Village, Park District, and Furiends of Manhattan Pet Pantry all worked together on the planning.

"Dr. Scott Park is a wonderful addition to our community, and we hope you and your four-legged friends enjoy it for many years to come," Adrieansen said.

“Not only is the dog park a wonderful example of intergovernmental cooperation and public-private partnerships, but it is also a great addition to the overall park system within the Manhattan Park District," said Manhattan Park District Executive Director Jay Kelly. "We are a proud partner of Dr. Scott Park and are happy that we can provide the ongoing operational support of the park to the community.”

Dog park memberships will be managed through the Manhattan Park District. Dogs are required to be fully immunized, dewormed, and licensed. Memberships can be purchased online.

Memberships for 2025 are prorated to $20, and will expire on Dec. 31, 2025. Annual fees then are $40 for resident and $50 for non-resident.