Mike Holton and his wife Janice Redmond walk their dog through the Freedom Run dog park on Russell Road in Hoffman Estates. The four-acre park is dedicated to Military Service Dogs who have served alongside the men and women of our armed forces. August 24, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Janice Redmond watches her husband Mike Holton work with their dog Mara on one of the learning apparatus' Friday at Freedom Run dog park in Hoffman Estates. August 24, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Along with obstacles and other amenities for the dogs, the park has multiple clean up dispensers for owners to pick up after their dogs at Freedom Run dog Park in Hoffman Estates. August 24, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Janice Redmond walks through entrance holding area after applying a key code entry Friday at Freedom Run in Hoffman Estates. August 24, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Freedom Run is located at 6150 Russell Road in Hoffman Estates. August 24, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
Janice Redmond coaches the family dog Mara, an 8-month-old boxer, to jump over an obstacle Friday at the Freedom Run dog park in Hoffman Estates. The dog park is a joint venture between Hoffman Estates Park District, city of Elgin and Streamwood park districts. August 24, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media
HOFFMAN ESTATES — The dog days of summer might be over, but Freedom Run here is already getting tail-wagging, four-footed patrons. The joint venture between the city of Elgin and two area park districts, where canines can play off leash, started operating Aug. 18 and …