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Politics & Government

On the Waterfront: Commission Debates Safety at Wilmette Beach

The Lakefront Commission discussed safety measures and potential development plans at Gillson Park beach Thursday night.

With their sights set on shoring up safety and visitor access to beach, an advisory commission to the Wilmette Park District is seeking further consultation from architects and planners.

The Lakefront Commission, which includes 14 volunteers, motioned Thursday night to have JJR, a Chicago-based design firm, develop options to control access, promote safety and reduce overcrowding to the park. Meanwhile the commission also motioned for further consultation on parking options within the park's perimeter.

As development discussions continue, maintaining the lakefront's natural beauty remains a top concern.

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Residents Speak:

“We don't want Disney on the beach,” said Commissioner Karen Glennemeier. “We want to maintain the current character [of Gillson Park beach].”

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Updating the beach while keeping it modest shouldn't involve an abundance of new structures, said commission chairman Terry Porter. Instead, Porter would like the district to build upon its current infrastructure by renovating or replacing the old beach house. He also suggested offering more visitor programming during the off-seasons.

“I know a majority feels...it's not Disney by the lake,” Porter said of the beach. "I view it as more of a remodeling project than an expansion project."

And as officials build on hosted throughout the spring, safety has became a top priority for the commission.

Following the drowning of in late August, area residents have debated how to secure the restricted swimming section of Gillson. 

It's not just a North Shore problem, either. Shambee is one of 58 people to have drown this year in the Great Lakes, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, an Illinois-based nonprofit organization that tracks swimming fatalities.

“Anybody who walks by the park in the summer can see that the [restricted section of the beach] is out of control,” said Commissioner Chris Wright. “This is unacceptable.”

Though signs along the beach prohibit swimming, they don't necessarily prevent swimmers from venturing into the lake, mostly during the summer. The same can be said for the occasional kayak, seadoo and other watercraft, according Commissioner Robin Baugher, who frequents the beach.

Greater measures—including increased fencing, lifeguard presence and patrolling of the park by Wilmette police officers—were discussed as ways to curb the latent dangers of the prohibited portion of the beach, which has a more rugged nature consisting of coastal rocks and riptides. 

Baugher, who sees additional fencing as "draconian," "prison-like" and souring to the pristine beach, said the solution is simple: add lifeguards in the summer like they do on Langdon Park beach.

Wright agreed.

"They're an authority that people respond to," he said of lifeguards. "People tend to follow what they say. My hope is that a solution like that [instead of fencing the beach] would preserve the aesthetics."

Resident Richard Sobel argued that safety concerns, though pertinent, shouldn't mean enclosing the free beach, “a resource for the community and wider, Illinois region.”

“It is reasonable to restrict swimming where there are no lifeguards...” Sobel added. “There is no reason to use the tragedy [on Aug. 27] to wall-off more of the public beach.”

Though no purchases have been made, the park district board recently approved a cost assessment for the fencing, according to Executive Director Steve Wilson.

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