The West Loop's Skinner Park will be improved with a variety of kid and dog friendly features through a financing measure approved today by the Chicago City Council.

Planned in response to the growth in families surrounding the park at 1331 W. Monroe St., the work will add a water spray, theatrical stage, sand box, landscaping, lighting and fencing to an existing playground in the southeast corner of the park. A portion of an existing parking lot on the park's northwest corner will be gated and converted to a 7,800-square-foot area for dogs.

"Park improvements like this are essential to the livability of local neighborhoods because they directly serve the needs of local families," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Approximately $1 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance from the Central West TIF District will be used to pay for the improvements. TIF is a City of Chicago funding tool that's used to promote infrastructure and other improvements in designated districts across the city.