Cats, dogs, lizards and all animals are now prohibited from stepping foot on the turf in Tinley Park’s Harmony square, the outdoor music and performance venue with retail space, apartments and townhouses that opened June 18.
Service animals are also prohibited from the turf under the ordinance passed Tuesday by the Village Board.
The ordinance originally barred animals from the entire square, but after Trustee Kenneth Shaw voiced concern the ordinance was restrictive and hard to enforce, the board amended it to apply only to the turf.
“People are going to ignore it, quite frankly, and then we’re going to only enforce it when something bad happens,” Shaw said. “I think it’s heavy-handed.”
Trustee Colleen Sullivan said there have already been many incidents from animals being on the turf. Hannah Lipman, assistant village manager and interim treasurer, said the intent is to protect the turf.
“I don’t think the intent is to be heavy-handed,” Lipman said. “We’re not looking for officers to be out there citing our residents just for walking their dogs.”
awright@chicagotribune.com
