No Swimming Yet At Evanston Beaches In Restore Illinois Phase 3

EVANSTON, IL — Swimming will remain closed at beaches in Evanston after the state moves into Phase 3 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Restore Illinois reopening plan, city staff announced. Evanston's beaches are tentatively expected to reopen for public swimming in July. No beach tokens will be sold until final reopening plans are determined.

Lawrence Hemingway, director of parks, recreation and community services, said no daily passes will be offered for sale at any of the city's beaches other than the Dempster Street and Clark Street offices.

"For those who do not have season passes, we will not be selling passes or entry for single days at the beaches. We're trying to eliminate that hand-to-hand contact as much as possible," Hemingway said. "We have protection screens in place at Dempster as well as Clark Street, so that's the only place where daily passes will be sold."

The city expects to begin selling beach tokens online on June 8, Hemingway said at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Tokens will remain the same price as previous years, he said. Once purchased, the tokens may be picked up at the beach office or Ecology Center.

The next phase of the reopening plan is expected to begin upon the expiration of Pritzker's extended stay-at-home order Friday. Under the new rules, gatherings of up 10 people will be allowed with social distancing in place.

"There will be limited capacity at each location, one, just for social distancing purposes," Hemingway said, but also the surface areas of the beaches have been reduced by record high water level.

"Greenwood Beach is closed for the season," he said. "If you've been out there, there is no Greenwood Beach today. The water has totally covered the beach and then there's also some safety concerns."

It is critical for beachgoers to stay at least six feet from others, wear face coverings when it is difficult to keep physical distance and stay out of the water, city staff said in a release.

"No Swimming" signage will be posted at each of the city's beaches. Officers from the Evanston Police Department will patrol the city's beaches until summer beach staffing is in place to make sure people are abiding by the new rules. Restrooms will remain closed until further notice.

The Church Street Boat ramp, for motorized boats, opened Friday for public use, and the Dempster Street launch facility, for non-motorized boats, is scheduled to open Monday, according to Hemingway. Season launch permits are required and safety guidelines are in place to reduce the potential for spread of the coronavirus.

Related: Gillson Beach To Open For Socially Distanced Season Pass Holders