Wilmette Dog Beach Open Memorial Day, Labor Day
Wilmette dogs will be able to enjoy the beach this Memorial Day thanks to an ordinance amendment. The beach will remain closed on July 3, 4.
Photos
Historically, dogs were not allowed on Wilmette’s dog beach on some holidays but this Memorial Day your furry friends will be able to play in the sand and enjoy the waters.
On May 14, Wilmette Park District approved an ordinance amendment opening the Dog Beach on Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Dog Beach will still be closed on July 3 and 4 because the space will be used to set up fireworks for the Independence Day Celebration in the park. The Dog Beach is located at the south end of Gillson Park, near Michigan Avenue and Washington Avenue.
In the past, Wilmette did not allow dogs in its parks, even if dogs were on leash. So officials felt closing the dog beach on holidays would avoid dog owners walking through Gillson Park on holidays to reach the dog beach. That policy has since changed.
“Now that dogs are allowed to be in the parks on leash, there’s really no reason why the dog beach can’t be in full use on Memorial Day and Labor Day, that’s why we made change,” said Steve Wilson, executive director, Wilmette Park District.
Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and "like" us on Facebook!
NHL
12:51 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
My 2¢ on this matter:
It would be nice if all the north shore beaches were open and free to the general public. In Hawaii, it's state law that all beaches have free access... No resort, private entity or municipality has the right to close off a beach, or charge an access fee... This is the way it should be. Illinois beaches (the entire coastline, including "private" beaches) should be managed by the state and the sandy part of the beach (from the high water mark, down to the lake bottom) should be considered public domain---as is the case in Michigan.... No surfers, swimmers, kayakers, canoeists, wind surfers, kite surfers etc should ever be arrested just for playing in the Lake, as was the case this past February when Chicago police arrested a surfer off Oak Street Beach....
Keep OUR beaches open and free for all, not just the privileged!!