Northern Illinois dog lovers are finally able to get their furry friends outside.
Katz Dog Park in DeKalb is open for the season after being closed due to ice and flooding. Dog owners say the winter took its toll mentally and physically.
Kayley Aase and her dog took a recent afternoon to enjoy being outside again.
"It's amazing for the fact that my dogs aren't cooped up at home and they get to run around all the time," Aase said.
Vickie Deku also enjoyed the dog park opening.
"It feels great, and it's really nice that it finally warmed up," Deku said. "We don't have a yard so it's really nice for my dog to get out."
Aase wishes the dog park would have stayed open during the winter so her dogs could've taken advantage of it.
"My dogs love playing in the snow," Aase said. "And so having to keep them at home wasn't as exciting for them."
The dog park is a place where dogs of all different shapes, sizes, and personalities come together to run around and play. Janna Wagner also took advantage of the recent warm-up with her canine companion.
"His name Koda and he is a pit bull/huskie mix," Wagner explained. "He will be a year old in April. He's very hyper, and loves to run and jump and hops like a little bunny all the time -- and likes to chew on things. He's just a hyper little dog."
Some dogs are very friendly and just want to play while others are a bit hesitant with strangers. This is the case for Vickie Deku's dog.
"We adopted her from TAILS. Her name is Nola and she will be five in September," Deku said. "She had puppies before we adopted her so she's a little bit older but she prefers to be with the small dogs. She's a little skittish so coming to the dog park has helped her not be so shy and skittish."
Part of the excitement is for the owners, too, according to Wagner.
"It's just a lot of fun seeing peoples' reactions on what my dog looks like," Wagner said. "They don't really see that kind of dog much. I just like to watch him run and be happy."
Wagner says the time outdoors is good for humans and their four-legged friends.
"I get to be outside, I get to play with him and interact," Wagner said. "Then, you know, it makes a better bond."
Kayley Aase says she's grateful the community has a resource like this.
"It gives them a free area to just run around and be crazy and not have any limits," she said. "They know where they can and cannot go here, so it is nice to have a community that is open to having a dog park."
Katz Dog Park will remain open as long as the weather permits.