Dempster St. Beach Facility Regulations PDF

8.4 Dempster St. Beach Facility Regulations The Dempster Street Launch Facility is governed by regulations set by the Evanston Parks and Recreation Board and by City of Evanston ordinances. This facility is for the launching of non-motorized small craft and catamarans that can be launche...

8.4 Dempster St. Beach Facility Regulations The Dempster Street Launch Facility is governed by regulations set by the Evanston Parks and Recreation Board and by City of Evanston ordinances. This facility is for the launching of non-motorized small craft and catamarans that can be launched without requiring a trailer to enter the water. General Information & Safety 1. All vessels using this facility must have either a season pass or a daily pass. A pass is required for each vessel. 2. It is the responsibility of the season pass holder to make sure their email and phone number are up to date on their City of Evanston Recreation Account. 3. All recreational vessels must carry 1 properly-fitting, wearable life jacket for each person on board. Any boat 16’ and longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry 1 throwable “type IV'' device. Life jackets should be worn at all times when the vessel is underway. 4. Children under 13 years of age must wear an appropriate USCG-approved life jacket while on a vessel. 5. Swimming, including wading and swimming from a vessel, is expressly prohibited along the entire Dempster St. Beach and within 150 yards east of all buoys, to maintain safety as boats launch and return to shore. If you wish to swim or sit at the shoreline, you must do so at one of the designated swimming beaches - you will need a current season beach pass or a daily pass. For information on where to pick up/purchase a season beach pass or daily pass visit: https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/parks-recreation-community-ser vices/beach-admissions 6. Sunbathing or congregating is not allowed within 5 yards of the shoreline, in the launch area marked by orange cones, the south end ramp area, or within 15 yards of any storage rack. 7. Boating, windsurfing, or boarding is not permitted inside the buoys marking the swimming beach areas. 8. Alcohol and glass containers are not allowed. 9. No pets, except for service dogs, are allowed on the beach. Vessel-Specific Information 10. Sailboats and windsurfing boards may not be used without their sails. 11. Stand-up paddleboards are intended to be used by only one paddler at a time. That paddler must wear a leash which is also attached to their board. If a paddler wants to allow another person onto their board, that person must wear a USCG-approved life jacket and remain in a seated position while on the water. No more than two persons are allowed on any stand-up paddle board at the same time. 12. If a stand-up paddler is unable to paddle and remain on the board, they may be asked to leave the water or facility. 13. Surfing is permitted, but only in designated areas. Surfers must have an actual surfboard, with an attached leash, and must possess a launch permit.  14. Boogie-boarding, skim-boarding, and kite-boarding are not permitted. 15. Inflatable canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are allowed only if they have a durable construction and are subject to inspection by lakefront management staff. All other inflatable vessels, floaties, or water toys are not allowed. Launching From & Returning To Shore 16. Children under 12 years of age will not be allowed to launch a craft without a parent or legal guardian being present on Dempster St. Beach during the entire time. 17. Many types of craft share the same shoreline at the Dempster St. Launch Facility. Many could be departing from and returning to shore at the same time traveling in different directions. In addition, lake and wind conditions can create unique challenges for navigating safely near the shoreline. To help avoid possible collisions and injuries: 18. Always be aware of nearby or oncoming vessels, especially sailboats which cannot stop and need clearance to return to the shore. 19. Always give craft returning to shore the right-of-way over craft departing from shore. 20. Avoid congregating in large groups and obstructing the path of oncoming vessels. 21. Sailboat dollies and Cat Trax are available on the beach to assist in moving boats from racks to the water. 22. Boaters bringing their boats on a trailer or on top of their cars may use the ramp, located on the south end of the facility. This cement ramp does not go all the way to the edge of the water, so be careful driving on the sandy area, since vehicles may get stuck. The city is not responsible for any damages or fees that may occur if you get your vehicle stuck in the sand. 23. Sailboarders/windsurfers are encouraged to use the grassy area northwest of the parking lot for rigging and then walk their board and sail onto the beach, via the gate on the north end of the facility. 24. Driving your vehicle on the beach is both dangerous and illegal and, subsequently, strictly prohibited. Storage 25. Only one storage spot per household will be permitted. An ID with the name of the rack holder must be submitted with your storage application. The names of the rack holder on file and the name on the ID must match. 26. Storage rack holders will have the opportunity to renew their rack each year. If a rack holder fails to renew the deadline, their storage spot will be forfeited. Details for renewal will be communicated via a mailed letter and email. It is the rack holder’s responsibility to make sure their correct email and mailing address are on file with the city. 27. All vessels will need to be stored in their storage slips by June 15, 2024. If no vessel is stored at that time, the rack holder will relinquish their slip and the next person on the waiting list will be contacted and offered the storage slip. There will be no refund issued. You can begin storing your vessels starting May 4, 2024. 28. Storage spots are non-transferable. 29. Rack holders are responsible for securing their vessels to the racks. If a longer chain is needed in your space to accommodate your vessel(s), please let the beach staff know. 30. Each vessel is required to have an assigned launch pass and permit sticker. Permit stickers must be adhered to the vessel’s starboard bow (front right). Additional permit stickers will be available for those with multiple vessels who are double stacking. 31. Only one vessel may be stored per rack or spot for the cost of a storage rack. Rack renters may store up to one additional vessel (ie. paddleboard or kayak) in their storage rack/space by double stacking vessels and will be charged an additional $100. You will receive an additional storage sticker for your second vessel. Double stacking of sailboats will not be permitted. Double stacking is not permitted in vertical storage racks due to space constraints. 32. Boats that are stored on storage racks may be no longer than 15 feet in length. Any boats that are longer than 15 feet and had a 2022 launch and storage pass will be grandfathered in. Any new boats being stored starting in 2023 must adhere to the size limit. 33. Those who wish to store coolers or beach chairs in their storage space may store up to 5 items either on top of or under their vessel. There will be a charge of $50 for storing beach-going items. Please secure and lock these items to your vessel, and not the storage rack. 34. Store your vessel bow forward (towards the water), wrap cable across the entire craft, and secure the locks on the opposite side. 35. Rack holders may not make any major modifications to the racks and cannot chain craft, wheels, or other vessels to the racks. 36. All vessels must be stored on their proper racks overnight. Do not leave any vessel out on the beach. 37. Use only your assigned rack/space and locker. 38. Boat covers must be secured neatly and may not infringe, hang down, etc. onto other boats or into other racks.