Introduction
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park, which opened in 2021, is located in Oak Lawn, Illinois. It’s part of a larger community park called Kelly Park that also contains playgrounds, athletic fields, and walking paths. The dog park was named after the popular Disney characters Simba and Nala from The Lion King. It offers a fun and safe place for local dogs and their owners to exercise and socialize.
One of the main attractions at Simba and Nala’s Dog Park is that it’s divided into separate areas for small and large dogs. This helps reduce potential conflicts between dogs of different sizes. The park has grassy areas, landscaping, benches for owners, agility equipment, and other amenities tailored for dogs. It quickly became a popular neighborhood spot for dog lovers after opening.
Location
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park is located in Tinley Park, Illinois. The address is 19900 S. 80th Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60487 (https://visittinleypark.com/play/simba-and-nalas-dog-park/).
The park is situated just southeast of the intersection of 80th Avenue and 183rd Street. From downtown Tinley Park, head south on Oak Park Avenue and turn right on 183rd Street. Follow 183rd Street for about 1.5 miles and the park entrance will be on your left.
GPS coordinates for the park are 41.573972, -87.813844. Simply enter these coordinates into any mapping or directions app to navigate there.
Park Size & Layout
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park is a large fenced-in area covering approximately 1 acre of land. According to the park’s website, the park is divided into two main sections – one for small dogs under 30 lbs and one for larger dogs.
The small dog area takes up about a quarter of the total space and has a double gated entry system for safety. This section features benches, shade trees, and small hills for the little dogs to run around.
The larger main section takes up the remaining three quarters of the park. It’s an open grassy area with hills, benches, and trees spread throughout to provide shade. There’s ample room for dogs of all sizes to play and run off-leash.
Amenities
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park offers several amenities to make visiting with your pup more enjoyable. There are a number of benches throughout the park where owners can sit and relax while their dogs play (https://www.countyoffice.org/simba-and-nalas-dog-park-tinley-park-il-ab4/). For shade on sunny days, there are shade structures scattered around the park. To help keep the park clean, there are waste stations with bags provided for owners to pick up after their dogs. Lastly, there are multiple water fountains where both dogs and owners can get a drink.
Surfacing
The dog park features a specialized pea gravel surfacing that is soft and comfortable for dogs to walk and run on. The gravel is made up of smooth, rounded pebbles that provide cushioning for dogs’ paws and joints. This type of surfacing also allows for excellent drainage, preventing accumulation of standing water and muddy conditions. The pea gravel helps keep the park clean and reduces odor by allowing urine to drain through readily. Its light color also reflects sunlight and heat, preventing the surface from getting too hot for dog paws on sunny days.
The main advantage of using pea gravel is comfort and shock absorption for dogs. It provides a natural feel underfoot and mimics surfaces that dogs would encounter in nature. The round pebbles massage dog paws as they walk over it. Pea gravel is also a sanitary choice because it does not harbor bacteria like sand and dirt. It is an inert material that does not cling to dog fur or paws. Proper drainage is another key benefit, ensuring the park does not become a muddy mess on rainy days. With its durability and drainage, pea gravel requires less maintenance than grass or dirt surfaces.
Dog Areas
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park has separate areas for small dogs under 30 pounds and larger dogs over 30 pounds (Simba and Nala’s Dog Park in Tinley Park, Illinois). The small dog area is approximately 5,000 square feet, providing ample space for small breeds to play and socialize. The section for larger dogs covers around 15,000 square feet, giving big dogs more room to run and exercise. The division helps maintain safety by keeping dogs of significantly different sizes separated.
Hours
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park is open daily from 7am to dusk throughout the year, according to visittinleypark.com. The park does not close for the season.
During the warmer months when daylight lasts longer, the park may remain open until 8 or 9pm. In the winter when the sun sets earlier, the park likely closes between 5 and 6pm each evening. The hours adjust with the sunrise and sunset.
Rules
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park has several rules in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, both human and canine. According to the park’s official website, all dogs must be legally licensed and vaccinated. They must also be under voice control of their owner at all times (source). Dogs that show aggressive behavior are required to be leashed and immediately removed from the off-leash area.
For owners, no more than two dogs per person are allowed in the park at one time. Owners must remain in the fenced areas with their dogs at all times and have a leash readily available. They are responsible for collecting and properly disposing of all dog waste. Young children must be closely supervised. Finally, no food, alcohol, smoking or glass containers are permitted within the fenced areas (source).
Nearby Attractions
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park is located in a popular area of Tinley Park with plenty of nearby attractions (Mapquest). Within a short distance, you can find walking trails like the Tinley Park Trail and the Oak Park Avenue Trail that wind through scenic areas with benches (Visit Tinley Park). For dining options, the Zarlengo’s Italian Restaurant and Firewater Saloon offer casual fare less than 2 miles from the park. If you want to browse shops, the outdoor Orland Park Place mall is under 3 miles away with a mix of retailers.
After tiring out your pup at Simba and Nala’s, take a relaxing stroll on one of the nearby trails, grab a bite to eat, or do some shopping all within a short drive of the park.
Reviews
Simba and Nala’s Dog Park gets mostly positive feedback from visitors on sites like Yelp and Google. Many reviewers praise the large size of the park and the separate areas for small and large dogs. According to a Yelp review, the park is “Huge with two completely separate sides for large and small dogs.”
Reviewers also mention the variety of amenities as a major pro. A MapQuest reviewer wrote, “It’s a nice big area with climbing equipment, a pool, and other fun things for the dogs.” There are picnic tables, benches, and shade for humans as well.
One drawback noted in reviews is the pea gravel surface, which some find messy. As a Yelp user said, “The only downside is the pea gravel which gets everywhere.” The lack of grass and softer ground is seen as a con by some visitors.
Overall though, Simba and Nala’s earns high marks for its size, amenities, and maintenance. Most reviewers recommend it as a top dog park in the region.
