Bluff Erosion Closes Forest Park Beach Access Road

LAKE FOREST, IL — The north access road and the wooden boardwalk leading to Forest Park beach in Lake Forest will be closed until further notice due to bluff erosion caused by recent heavy rains, city officials announced Thursday, citing safety concerns. The southern road to the beach remains open to vehicles.

Pedestrian access for residents will be available from the concrete steps at the middle of the parks' ring road or at the wooden steps at the south end of the beach leading to the north of the boat ramp. For non-residents, the entrance will be shifted south to the wooden steps on the south side of the park. Usage fees can be paid at the bottom of the stairs at the beach level.

Non-residents must pay $10 per person per day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays to use Forest Park beach, and they are not allowed to use any of the park's lots without a seasonal parking permit. Lake Forest residents can buy a guest parking pass five time a year for $10 at the recreation center.

City staff and engineering consultants are carrying out a review of the beach erosion situation. Current beach pavilion rentals will be honored but future requests are suspended, according to the city.

Beach parking rules have been adjusted. The lower and upper south lot are only for Lake Forest residents, and handicapped parking will be in the lower south lot. Parking is also available at the train station lots on the weekend, on the south side of Deerpath Road between Washington and Sheridan roads and on the south side of Westminster Avenue between Sheridan and Lake roads, according to a notice from the city.

Top photo via City of Lake Forest