Gillson Beach To Open For Socially Distanced Season Pass Holders

WILMETTE, IL — Gillson Beach is scheduled to open Saturday for the summer with social distancing guidelines and other new rules in place to reduce opportunities for spreading the coronavirus, the Wilmette Park District announced.

Meanwhile, the beach in Kenilworth is expected to remain closed until at least the first week of June due to damage from storms and record-high lake levels, according to the village.

At Gillson Beach, the park district announced staff would be on scene to make sure visitors adhere to public health guidelines, which include a ban on food, a limit on same-household congregations of 10 people or fewer and the closure of water fountains, concession and all but a single-use bathroom.

Swimming will be prohibited and the water will be closed as the season opens, the district announced.

A beach season pass and season parking decal will be required to access the beach, according to the park district. They may only be purchased online — and they require a 48-hour processing period before they can be activated. After that, the passes and decals can be picked up at the beach house. No daily passes will be available.

Preseason prices for season passes are in place through Monday, according to the park district's website. Residents may purchase individual passes for $48 and non-residents for $122, before the resident rate rises to $52 for individuals. Discounts are available for seniors and additional people.

The Wilmette Park District has yet to make a decision regarding plans for the pools at the Centennial Family Aquatics Center. Park district staff planned to communicate a decision by the first week of June.

In Kenilworth, village staff are working to carry out unspecified repairs that threaten the safety of visitors. Contractors are expected to complete the repairs by June 5. Once they are done, the beach will be open for walking, but restrooms will remain closed and swimming may be restricted, according to a statement from the village.

As of Wednesday, the village not yet begun begun selling beach passes. The village board's public safety committee is due to develop a plan for safe use of the beach and water before allowing swimming or boating.

Other North Shore beaches, including Lake Forest and Glencoe, also plan to open for the season Saturday. Evanston's beaches are tentatively scheduled to open in July. Park districts in Highland Park and Winnetka have not announced beach reopening plans.