Chapter 2_ Lakefront Beaches & Facilities.pdf

Chapter 2: Lakefront Beaches & Facilities Section 1 - Swimming Beaches Evanston’s five clean and sandy beaches are summer recreation facilities operated for the public’s enjoyment by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. Daily pass or season passes are required for each person to...

Chapter 2: Lakefront Beaches & Facilities Section 1 - Swimming Beaches Evanston’s five clean and sandy beaches are summer recreation facilities operated for the public’s enjoyment by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. Daily pass or season passes are required for each person to enter the beach (Title 7, chapter 11, section 3 of the Municipal Code). The beaches are open for swimming starting on Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2th, as staffing or weather conditions permit. Swimming Beach Regulations can be found in Chapter 4 - Section 1.1 Patron Beach Regulations. 1.1 Lighthouse Beach (2611 Sheridan Rd - Just north of Central St. on Sheridan Rd.) It is named for the Grosse Point Lighthouse (built in 1873) that stands just west of the beach. Lighthouse Beach is the furthest north of the five Evanston beaches. Lighthouse is average in size with three guard chairs. Surrounding the beach are private residences directly to the north and south. The sand near the water and bottom sand of the swimming area can be very rocky at Lighthouse. There is a playground in the adjacent park behind the beach and the City of Evanston water treatment facility is a few hundred yards to the South. The beach has natural grass dunes directly to the west, which are a common spot where many children get lost. The beach patrons are typically families, so expect lots of little kids and large groups. 1.2 Clark St. Beach (1811 Sheridan Rd - Clark St. and Sheridan Rd.) Clark Street is the second beach from the north and is directly south of the Northwestern campus. The north side of Clark St Beach connects to the Northwestern Sailing Beach. On the south end, there is a breakwall that separates Clark St. Beach from the Evanston Dog Beach. This breakwall creates a strong structural current pulling out into the Lake on Northerly wavy/windy days. On the West side of the beach, there are multiple volleyball courts, and a bird sanctuary. Typical patrons will include Northwestern students, large groups of pre-teens and teenagers, small groups, and numerous camps. In recent years Clark Street has become the busiest and most eventful beach. The Fourth of July fireworks are launched from the sand on Clark St. Beach which is why Clark Street is the only beach closed on July 4th. 1.3 Greenwood Beach (1401 Sheridan Rd - Greenwood St. and Sheridan Rd) Greenwood Beach is the central most beach in Evanston. It is the smallest, but can become very hectic due to heavy boat traffic, and the parks surrounding it. To the North of the beach is the Church Street Boat Ramp, to the South is the Dempster Street Sailing Beach and to the West is Dawes Park. Greenwood is the only beach where scuba divers are allowed to enter the water. Divers use Greenwood to gain access to the George W. Morley shipwreck which is approximately 300 Yards east of the swimming area. Greenwood is the weekday home to Evanston’s Aquatic Camp. 1.4 Lee St. Beach (1111 Lake Shore Blvd - Lee St. and Greenleaf St) Lee Street beach is the second southernmost beach. Surrounding the beach is a break wall to the south, a rock line and park area to the north and a neighborhood street to the west. Lee Street’s patrons are typically families. Lee Street is the beach of choice for the Evanston Special Rec Camps. The Guard Shack and bathrooms are located far to the north of the beach entrance. 1.5 South Boulevard Beach (525 Sheridan Square – near Sheridan square and off of Sheridan road) South Blvd. Beach is the southernmost of the Evanston Beaches. Patrons are typically people who live nearby and include families, individuals, and people who prefer a quieter beach. It has a rock line to the north which leads to private beaches, a few private boat launches, and eventually Lee Street Beach. Over the break wall to the south, there is a rock line that leads along Sheridan Road to Chicago’s Juneway Beach.