Parks/Forestry & Recreation
BEACHES
Public Swimming Beaches are closed for the season.
Every summer, Evanston's lakefront & beaches are a popular attraction. With a boat launch, kayak and sailboat rentals, kayak and sailboat lessons, kayak fishing trips and miles of sandy beaches, everyone can enjoy a day on the lakefront.
Beach Locations from North to South:
- Lighthouse Beach - Central St. at Sheridan Rd.
(2611 Sheridan Rd.) - Clark Street Beach - Clark St. at Sheridan Rd.
(1811 Sheridan Rd.) - Dog Beach - Church St at the lakefront
(1631 Sheridan Rd.) - Dempster/Greenwood St. Beach -
Greenwood St. at the lakefront (1401 Sheridan) - Lee Street Beach - Lee St. and Lake Shore Blvd.
(1111 Lake Shore Blvd.) - South Boulevard Beach - South Blvd. at the lakefront
(525 Sheridan Square)
A beach token or daily pass is needed for admission. Admission was free Mondays at Clark Street Beach from July 6 through August 24, 2009 for Evanston residents. Admission for children under age one is always free.
During certain conditions, swimming is prohibited at one or more of Evanston’s beaches, but admittance to the beach (sandy area) is still allowed. At other times, both the water and the beach areas are closed for your safety. During the season, check the beach status page for updates.
New construction at the Lighthouse Beach entrance includes a new ramp that provides access to the wate's edge for persons with disabilities. Now Evanston has three accessible beaches: Greenwood Street, Lee Street and Lighthouse.
The photo at left shows the ramp during the construction phase in April, before railings were installed.
The Beach Office is now closed for the season.
847.859.7822 (recorded message)
Location: where Dempster St. meets the lake.
The official address is 1251 Lake Shore Blvd.
2009 Office Hours:
During May: Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Mon., May 25 through Sun., May 31: 10:00am - 5:00pm
June 1 - Sept. 7: 10:00am - 7:30pm daily
**On September 24, 2007, the City Council amended Ordinance 87-O-07 Section 7-11-4 of the City Code to clarify the Swimming Hours and Beach Hours of City Beaches. Swimming hours for 2009 are listed above. Please note the following revised paragraph:
(B) Beach Hours: No person shall use, occupy, play in, lounge about or loiter in any beach or building or structure therein at times other than the hours of 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. daily, except to fish from the north and south walkways at the Church Street boat ramp from 5:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. during the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
In addition, on March 24, 2008, the City Council amended Ordinance 38-O-08 Section 8-21-5 of the City Code "Prohibition of Smoking" to prohibit smoking at all City Beaches, Playgrounds and Tot Lots.
PARKS/FORESTRY & REC 
Beaches