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Dog Beach ADA Information
Current Status
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, public entities must give people with disabilities meaningful access to their programs, services, and facilities. The Dog Beach’s current entrance and access route don’t meet these requirements.
Because the beach sits directly on the Lake Michigan shoreline, any permanent route must meet ADA standards for slopes, landings, and other features while withstanding changing lake levels, waves, erosion, and severe weather.
Since 2022, the City has evaluated multiple approaches, obtained professional design and environmental input, sought competitive bids, considered cost-saving alternatives, and pursued a design-build procurement. The current design-build proposal still requires design, engineering, permitting, and construction, with completion expected in summer 2027, pending approvals.
Because compliant access is not yet in place, at the request of the Administration and Public Works Committee, the City will close Dog Beach on December 1, 2026, while it continues working toward a permanent solution.
Other Access Alternatives Considered at the Current Dog Beach
Another alternative considered was using the maintenance entrance at the southern end of Dog Beach. Staff determined that this location presents significant safety and operational challenges because of the amount of boating, trailer, and vehicle traffic associated with the nearby Church Street Boat Launch. Vehicles and trailers regularly enter, exit, and maneuver in this area, creating additional conflicts for pedestrians and dogs.
The existing entry gate system at the north end of the Dog Beach provides a more appropriate route for pedestrians and dogs because it separates beach access from the active maintenance and boating operations to the extent possible. Historically, the south end has flooded before the north end of the beach, so installing the ADA access at the north end provides the best opportunity for long-term access. Finally, due to the protection of the breakwater between Clark St. Beach and the Dog Beach, any new amenity would be better suited to the north end of the beach, where the breakwater provides greater protection from wave action.
Alternative Off-Leash Areas for Dogs
After the Dog Beach closes on December 1, residents can use the City’s other off-leash dog areas: the newly opened Dog E-Town at Grey Park (1051 Main Street) and Pooch Park. While neither replaces the experience of the Lake Michigan shoreline, both offer outdoor space for dogs and their owners. Access requirements, hours, and rules are available through the Evanston Parks and Recreation Department’s website.
Four-Year History and Timeline
The City has been working to address the Dog Beach's accessibility challenges for several years. This extended process has included reopening the facility after high lake levels, developing multiple ADA access concepts, community and advisory committee discussions, competitive bidding, value engineering, environmental considerations, and, most recently, a design-build procurement.
2018–2022: Dog Beach Closure Due to High Lake Levels
Dog Beach was significantly impacted by unusually high Lake Michigan water levels in 2019 and 2020. The beach was fully submerged, and the former concrete access paths were undermined and damaged beyond repair. The facility remained closed until lake levels receded and the beach reemerged in late 2022.
October 2022: City Directs Reopening and ADA Planning
On October 10, 2022, the City Council directed staff to reopen Dog Beach and simultaneously begin developing plans for a permanent ADA-compliant access. Because the community had been without access to Dog Beach for several years, staff constructed a temporary entrance to allow the facility to reopen. That temporary entrance was not ADA-compliant.
November 2022: Initial ADA Design Work Begins
On November 14, 2022, City Council approved a $43,520 change order with SmithGroup to develop a conceptual plan for ADA access to Dog Beach.
February–September 2023: Design Options and Environmental Review
In February 2023, SmithGroup presented two conceptual ADA access options. City Council initially expressed a preference for a less expensive northern access route. However, concerns were raised about potential impacts to sensitive plantings and the adjacent naturalized area. City Council directed staff to pursue the northern access across the adjacent dunes while providing appropriate protections to the naturalized area.
During March and May 2023, City staff met with community members and Dog Beach users to discuss the proposed access. In June, staff also met with a plant biologist and volunteers involved with the nearby bird sanctuary to evaluate potential impacts on the area that was initially planted in 2011. A plant inventory was subsequently completed, and recommendations were made to minimize impacts, including consideration of a boardwalk over sensitive areas.
In April 2023, City Council approved additional funding for SmithGroup to prepare construction documents for the preferred ADA access concept. In September 2023, City Council approved an additional $18,800 change order with SmithGroup to develop a boardwalk design intended to protect the sensitive plantings.
2024: Construction Design and Competitive Bid
The City subsequently issued Bid 24-18, Evanston Dog Beach Access Project, seeking a contractor to construct the proposed improvements. The bid documents called for construction beginning in August 2024 and substantial completion by November 15, 2024.
In June 2024, City Council considered awarding the construction contract to John Keno & Company, Inc. for $693,577. The proposed project included an ADA-compliant pathway and boardwalk, a ramp to the beach, an accessible dog wash, security lighting, and an accessible gate system. Two bids were received, with John Keno identified as the low bidder by approximately $250,000.
The proposed contract was subsequently delayed while the project was discussed by the Preservation Commission on July 2, 2024. By July 22, 2024, the bid had expired, and the contractor declined to extend it. City Council therefore directed staff to rebid the project and consider modifications to reduce costs, shorten the ramp, improve usability, and address parking.
Late 2024: Continued Review of ADA Options
In September 2024, staff provided an update to the City's ADA Advisory Committee. The City also announced in November that Dog Beach would remain open through the winter, while warning users about the increased safety risks associated with snow, ice, and winter lake conditions.
January–July 2025: Value Engineering and New Design Options
In January 2025, SmithGroup presented value-engineering options intended to address the cost and design concerns associated with the earlier proposal. City Council did not move forward with those options and directed staff to work with GEI Consultants to examine additional alternatives.
In February 2025, the City entered into a $14,750 contract with GEI to investigate value-engineering opportunities and develop additional ADA access concepts. GEI's contract was later amended to allow for additional meetings and research.
In July 2025, GEI presented four design options to City Council. Council directed staff to pursue Option 1B, which called for a straight access ramp from the existing Dog Beach entrance. Council further directed that the concept be modified from GEI's proposed seasonal approach to a permanent, year-round solution.
August 2025: Parks and Recreation and ADA Advisory Review
The Parks and Recreation Board discussed the project in August 2025 and supported moving forward with the GEI concept or another alternative that would provide the legally required ADA access in the most effective manner possible.
The ADA Advisory Committee also reviewed the options and supported a permanent installation rather than relying on seasonal measures such as temporary mobility mats.
November-December 2025: Design-Build Approach Authorized
In November 2025, City Council initially approved a $38,900 change order with SmithGroup to develop construction documents for the modified GEI Option 1B.
In December 2025, City Council reconsidered that change order and voted not to proceed with it. Instead, Council directed staff to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a design-build project that would combine the design and construction of a permanent, year-round ADA access based on the modified GEI Option 1B concept.
2026: Design-Build RFP and Current Project
In May 2026, the City issued RFP 26-33, Evanston Dog Beach ADA Access Design/Build, seeking a qualified firm to design and construct a permanent ADA-compliant access to Dog Beach. The RFP required the project to account for storm events, high lake levels, shifting sand and water elevations, long-term durability, and the unique conditions of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
A pre-proposal meeting was held on May 28, 2026, with 11 vendors attending. The City received one proposal by the June 23 deadline. Staff subsequently evaluated the proposal and interviewed the responding firm.
The recommended design-build contract with John Keno & Company, Inc. is valued at $863,850. The proposed project schedule calls for engineering and permitting through February 2027, followed by construction during summer 2027, subject to required approvals and permits. The RFP requires a firm completion date no later than August 2027, with earlier completion receiving additional consideration.
The proposed project also includes a permanent ADA-compliant ramp, accessible landing area, controlled gate enclosure, and accessible dog wash improvements. The design must be resilient to storm events and changing shoreline conditions rather than relying on temporary or seasonal access measures.